Psalms 69:22-28

"Up to this point, Christ and His passion have been so evidently foreshadowed (see on Psalms 69:4; Psalms 69:9; Psalms 69:21) that we are almost prepared now for a plea approximating to ’Father, forgive them’. The curse which comes instead is a powerful reminder of the new thing which our Lord did at Calvary." [Note: Kidner, p. 248.]

Most of these verses call down God’s punishment on those who had opposed God’s anointed who sought to do His will and glorify Him. David was not venting his personal hatred but was asking God to punish those who resisted him. A "snare" was a self-springing trap, and a "trap" may have had bait in it. [Note: VanGemeren, p. 460.]

The Apostle Paul applied Psalms 69:22-23 to the Jews who had opposed the Lord Jesus, in Romans 11:9-10 (cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:3).

The reason David wanted God to deal with his adversaries so severely comes through in Psalms 69:26. They had poured salt in a wound that God had given him. Evidently David viewed his suffering as ultimately coming from God in the sense that He had permitted it. His human enemies were adding insult to injury by treating him the way they did.

Likewise, God was behind the crucifixion of His Son, but the human agents of Jesus’ sufferings and death were also responsible and had to bear the punishment for their actions.

David asked that God blot out the names of his enemies from His book of life (Psalms 69:28). This probably refers to the book of the living (cf. Revelation 3:5). The term "book of life" in the Old Testament refers to the record of those who are alive physically (cf. Exodus 32:32-33; Deuteronomy 29:20; Psalms 69:28; Daniel 12:1; cf. Exodus 17:14; Deuteronomy 25:19; Isaiah 4:3). It came to have a more specific meaning in the New Testament. There it usually refers to the list of the names and deeds of the elect (Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 17:8; Revelation 20:12; Revelation 20:15; Revelation 21:27; Revelation 22:19; cf. Revelation 2:11; Revelation 2:17; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 3:12). [Note: See Charles R. Smith, "The Book of Life," Grace Theological Journal 6:2 (Fall 1985):219-30.] In other words, David asked God to cut the lives of his enemies short.

"Many people struggle with the idea of divine retribution against unrepentant sinners. But Jesus’ appeal to forgive one’s enemies must be balanced by His role of Avenger, the One who will judge those who remain in obstinate rebellion against Him (Revelation 19:11-16)." [Note: Merrill, "Psalms," p. 440.]