Psalms 69:29

Authorized King James Version

But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַ֭אֲנִי

H589

עָנִ֣י

H6041

But I am poor

depressed, in mind or circumstances

וְכוֹאֵ֑ב

H3510

and sorrowful

properly, to feel pain; by implication, to grieve; figuratively, to spoil

יְשׁוּעָתְךָ֖

H3444

let thy salvation

something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity

אֱלֹהִ֣ים

H430

O God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

תְּשַׂגְּבֵֽנִי׃

H7682

set me up on high

to be (causatively, make) lofty, especially inaccessible; by implication, safe, strong; used literally and figuratively

Analysis

The worship and praise theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing salvation encompasses justification, sanctification, and glorification in the ordo salutis and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the Israelite monarchy with its court politics and military conflicts. The author writes to address worshipers in the temple and those seeking God in times of distress, making the emphasis on worship and praise particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show rescue narratives from ancient literature that would resonate with the audience, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does understanding salvation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about worship and praise?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of worship and praise, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on salvation address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?