The psalmist in Psalm 69 is alone in facing opposition, hatred and false accusations from other Jews due to his “Passion”. The psalmist considers himself innocent, but is facing a threat second only to physical harm in Middle-eastern cultures, that of shame and being excluded from everything. To top it off, he is mocked for responding with the tradition acts of remorse, fasting and sackcloth. In all this, his concern is for the honor of God’s people and God’s “house”. Create a reason context for this psalm. Do you think the psalmist’s passion for God’s house refers to protection of the temple (or tabernacle), protection of its purity, or even, if persuade you to take a late date, passion for rebuilding the temple? Is the author guilty as charged? The phrase “passion for your house” in Psalm 69:9 refers to the psalmist’s passion for God’s house and his desire to protect it from desecration and destruction. The psalmist’s passion for God’s house is not limited to protection of the temple or tabernacle but also includes protection of its purity. The psalmist’s passion for God’s house can also be interpreted as a passion for rebuilding the temple. David whose zeal for God’s house consumed him, and thank You God that the Church, today, is a spiritual Temple in whom dwells the Holy Spirit. God Your will help those that are afflicted, to support the weak, to provide for the widows and orphans and to help those that are in need.

It reads in Psalm 69:1-36 NIV
{For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David.} Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal. You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you. Lord, the Lord Almighty, may those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me; God of Israel, may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me. For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face. I am a foreigner to my own family, a stranger to my own mother’s children; for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn; when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me. Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards. But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation. Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me. Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble. Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes. You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you. Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none. They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst. May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and a trap. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them. May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents. For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt. Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation. May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous. But as for me, afflicted and in pain, may your salvation, God, protect me. I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves. The poor will see and be glad, you who seek God, may your hearts live! The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them, for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it; the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.

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