A Psalm 69 COVID-19 Walkthrough

Psalm 69 was the appointed Psalm for Monday in Holy Week following Palm Sunday.  It seems to be saying a lot to me.  Here, let me walk through it with you.  Verse 1 asks for God to save me; pertinent in troubling times (with COVID-19).  We have that sinking feeling, verse 2.

 

I am in deep waters.  They wash over me.  Verse 3 continues with the theme of being in over our heads.

 

We are, all I think, tired now from this ongoing pandemic, the stress for most and grief for some, verse 4. 

 

Verse 5moves, for me, to being about Jesus.  It is Messianic content in the psalm.  As we are in the season of Lent & Easter, it is obvious that this is speaking of Jesus betrayal and Cruisifiction.  The Psalm is certainly a Messianic Psalm.

 

Verse 6 moved back for me, to me.  We're back to me and my sin, the real reason for Jesus' death after all.  I am quite foolish.

 

Verse 7 spoke to me about those who I foster in the faith, and the constant fear that I have that I will trip them up...or let them down in some way, or let them see my clay feet and thereby somehow break their faith.

 

Verse 8 reminded me that in this post religious pro secularism society we live in, I have been ridiculed for my faith.  Shame and guilt have both visited me.

 

9, oh boy, so much here.  I am currently estranged to one brother, probably two.  It's complicated.  I have also "lost my heritage", or so I feel.

 

10, there it is again, about the Temple, so many people—even prior to COVID-19—were telling me that it isn't about the Temple.  But, the Temple is a Holy place!  It's Holy people!  And special to me, it's a special place, with history, character, and filled with the memories and actions of almost countless Christians who have come before me.

 

11, I did fast—so to speak—for Lent; I gave us some things, not food per se. 

 

12, I didn't put on sack-cloth, but I don't think I am a byword.  However, sack-cloth had a symbolic meaning relating to grief; many are grieving their lost loved ones, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.  It's heart wrenching for many.  I've been very blessed thus far, as it has not touched my family. 

 

13 can go either way, me our Jesus.  Jesus was of course, mocked and slandered and, I think we all take our share of gossip and slander.  Not to the scale that Jesus did, of course but, I think it is part of the dark side of being human.

 

Versus 14 through 18 are me crying out in prayer to God to save me, help me.  17 specifically asks for protection from death, and COVID-19 is ever-present on all our minds.

 

Verses 19 & 20 are me asking God to not draw away from me, as I am in distress.  Draw near to me and deliver me.

 

Verses 21 to 23 transition from me to Jesus.  I am saying that God knows my sin and shame.  Reproach has broken my heart, also the heart of Jesus.  And, Jesus is back in verse 23 as this verse is very specifically Messianic, with the reference to the vinegar on the stick that was offered up to Him at His death. 

 

I'm not sure what to make of verses 24 through 27.  It seems like a curse of sorts—perhaps from David, on those who persecuted Christ.  Verse 24 specifically may refer to the Eucharist, as St. Paul warned it could be a danger to those who received the elements without understanding.  Or, it could refer to the Jewish custom of altar sacrifices and the law that was so important to the Pharisees and the priests.

 

28 is back to Messianic prophesy.  Here we have Jesus being pierced by the spear of the soldier, and persecuted by the people.  

 

29-31, verses 29 to 30 seem to be more curses, issued by the writer perhaps, David.  31 is back to me and Jesus.  I am afflicted, in pain of sorts, stress and uncertainty of the pandemic.  Then it moves in to Messianic prophecy with Jesus being lifted up on the Cross. 

 

32 & 33, I will sing and praise God, it's what He really wants, more than animal sacrifices.  And, I do.  I sing and chant the Psalms almost daily.

 

34-35, The afflicted will be happy because the LORD listens to the needy.  We need that reassurance in this pandemic.  Prisoners(?), perhaps those in Hell, could it be?  We all are also, so to speak, prisoners to this pandemic. 

 

Verses 36 through 38 are a promise; the servants of the LORD will praise Him, and God will save His people and come to live among them.  His children will inherit this dwelling, and live with Him.

 

 

 

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