Psalms 69:18

18 Draw near to me, redeem me, set me free because of my 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 LORD, for thy steadfast love is good; according to thy abundant mercy, turn to me.
17 Hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in distress, make haste to answer me.
18 Draw near to me, redeem me, set me free because of my enemies!
19 Thou knowest my reproach, and my shame and my dishonor; my foes are all known to thee.
20 Insults have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.