Psalm 69:13-28
There are two things going on in today’s section of Psalm 69 – the psalmist’s lamenting of his own situation (vv. 13-21) and his documenting of his enemies’ evils and crying out for justice/revenge against these enemies (vv. 21-28). I’ve said before that I can relate to the former more than to the latter. I don’t wish for the best for my enemies (whoever they might be) but I also don’t wish them harm.
A number of today’s verses are quoted/cited in the New Testament. The most prominent is verse 21 which is quoted/cited by each of the Gospel writers. A number of the crucifixion details are different in each of the Gospels, but this one item is common to all four. Second, verse 25 is applied by Peter in Acts 1:20 with respect to Judas’ death. Finally, Paul cites verses 22-23 in Romans 11:9-10.
Well I certainly have in the past cried out for justice and revenge and worked up some awful resentments towards others. I don’t do that so much now because I’ve learned how unhealthy those resentments are. And how they take me away from God’s love. I guess in my crying out for justice and revenge, I’m actually playing God, judging others to suit my desire for justice based on my perception of an offense towards me. However, I can’t deny I’ve had those thoughts and feelings in the past.