Psalms 69:18

18 Draw nigh unto my soul, be its redeemer; ransom me because of mine enemies.

Psalms 69:18 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 69:18

Draw nigh unto my soul
God his father, while he was suffering, stood afar off from him; wherefore he desires that he would draw nigh to him in the manifestations of his love and favour to him; which he did, when he made known to him the way of life, and made him full of joy with his countenance;

[and] redeem it:
that is, from the power of the grave; not leave it there, but raise him from the dead, and give him glory, as he did;

deliver me, because of mine enemies;
that they might not triumph over him, as if, being dead, he should rise no more; and so the Targum,

``that mine enemies might not lift up themselves against me.''

Or the meaning is, deliver me from the grave, raise me from the dead, that I may requite mine enemies, and take vengeance on them; see ( Psalms 41:8-11 ) .

Psalms 69:18 In-Context

16 Answer me, O Jehovah; for thy loving-kindness is good: according to the abundance of thy tender mercies, turn toward me;
17 And hide not thy face from thy servant, for I am in trouble: answer me speedily.
18 Draw nigh unto my soul, be its redeemer; ransom me because of mine enemies.
19 *Thou* knowest my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.
20 Reproach hath broken my heart, and I am overwhelmed: and I looked for sympathy, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. See Note, Lev. 25.25; it is rendered also 'avenger,' Num. 35.12: see Ruth 3.13; 4.8,14.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.