Psalm 69:2

Verse 2. I sink, -- there is no standing. I saw indeed there was cause of rejoicing for those that held to Jesus; but as for me, I had cut myself off by my transgressions, and left myself neither foothold, nor handhold, amongst all the stays and props in the precious word of life. And truly I did now feel myself to sink into a gulf, as an house whose foundation is destroyed; I did liken myself, in this condition, unto the case of a child that was fallen into a mill pit, who, though it could make some shift to scrabble and sprawl in the water, yet, because it could find neither hold for hand nor foot, therefore, at last, it must die in that condition. John Bunyan.

Verse 2. Mire. If the abyss be only full of water, a good swimmer has still the hope or rising again to the surface. The Berleb. Bible.

Verse 2. Where the floods overflow me. The plea in effect is this: Lord, I am ready to drown; if ever thou wouldst save a poor perishing servant of thine, save me: my troubles and temptations are too deep for me, I am ready to sink over head and ears in them, and therefore, Lord, reach hither thy gracious hand, and bear up my head above water, lest otherwise I miscarry. Especially if such extremities continue, the continuance of them may be pleaded. Thomas Cobbet.

Verse 2. The floods overflow me. The word flood in these two verses is the well known Shibboleth which the Ephraimites were unable to pronounce. Judges 12:6 . It occurs again, Isaiah 27:12 , "the flood of the river." J. J. Stewart Perowne.

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 2-3. The sinner aware of his position, unable to hope, overwhelmed with fear, finding no comfort in prayer, unvisited with divine consolation. Direct and console him.