What does Psalms 69:28 mean?

"Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous." - Psalms 69:28

"Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous." - Psalms 69:28

Psalms 69:28 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous."

This verse is a cry for justice and retribution from the psalmist, who is feeling oppressed and persecuted. The psalmist is beseeching God to deal with his enemies, to make them suffer the consequences of their actions, and to ensure that they do not share in the blessings of the righteous.

The theme of justice is central to this verse. The psalmist, who is likely David, is experiencing deep suffering and persecution at the hands of his enemies. He has been falsely accused, betrayed, and oppressed, and he is crying out to God for vindication. He wants to see his enemies punished and removed from the book of the living, so that they will not share in the blessings of the righteous.

The context of this verse is important for understanding its meaning. The entire psalm is a lament, a desperate cry for help and deliverance from the psalmist's enemies. He feels abandoned and alone, and he is pouring out his heart to God, asking for deliverance and vindication. In verses 1-4, he describes his situation, saying, "Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God."

In verses 5-12, the psalmist outlines the cause of his suffering, describing how he has been falsely accused and betrayed by those whom he trusted. He says, "I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children. For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me."

The psalmist then goes on to plead with God for deliverance, expressing his deep sorrow and distress. He asks for God's mercy and protection, and he calls on God to take vengeance on his enemies. This is the context in which the verse in question is situated - it is part of a larger cry for justice and deliverance from oppression and persecution.

The symbolism in this verse is powerful and dramatic. The idea of being "blotted out of the book of the living" carries significant weight. In ancient times, books were used to record important information such as names, deeds, and events. The "book of the living" likely refers to a record of those who are worthy and righteous, those who would be counted among the blessed and the saved. To be "blotted out" of this book would mean to be removed and excluded from the community of the righteous, to be denied the blessings and rewards of righteousness.

In the Old Testament, the phrase "book of the living" is also associated with the concept of eternal life. The idea of being "blotted out" of this book would therefore also imply being deprived of eternal life and salvation. This symbolizes the gravity of the psalmist's plea - he is not just asking for retribution for his enemies, but also for them to be denied the blessings and rewards of righteousness and the hope of eternal life.

Overall, Psalms 69:28 is a powerful and passionate cry for justice and deliverance from an unjust and oppressive situation. It expresses the psalmist's deep anguish and despair, and his fervent plea for God to intervene and bring about justice. The verse is filled with themes of suffering, betrayal, justice, and righteousness, and it carries deep symbolic significance in its portrayal of the consequences of being removed from the book of the living. It is a poignant expression of the psalmist's longing for vindication and deliverance from his enemies.

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Psalms 69:28 Artwork

Psalms 69:28 - "Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous."

Psalms 69:28 - "Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous."

"Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous." - Psalms 69:28

"Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous." - Psalms 69:28

Psalms 69:31 - "This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs."

Psalms 69:31 - "This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs."

"For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners." - Psalms 69:33

"For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners." - Psalms 69:33

Psalms 69:33 - "For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners."

Psalms 69:33 - "For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners."

"I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving." - Psalms 69:30

"I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving." - Psalms 69:30

"Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake." - Psalms 69:23

"Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake." - Psalms 69:23

Psalms 69:25 - "Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents."

Psalms 69:25 - "Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents."

Psalms 69:12 - "They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards."

Psalms 69:12 - "They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards."

Psalms 69:30 - "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving."

Psalms 69:30 - "I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving."

Psalms 69:23 - "Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake."

Psalms 69:23 - "Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake."

Psalms 69:10 - "When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach."

Psalms 69:10 - "When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach."

Psalms 69:1 - "Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul."

Psalms 69:1 - "Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul."

Psalms 69:27 - "Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness."

Psalms 69:27 - "Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness."

Psalms 69:11 - "I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them."

Psalms 69:11 - "I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them."

Psalms 69:32 - "The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God."

Psalms 69:32 - "The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God."

Psalms 69:35 - "For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession."

Psalms 69:35 - "For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession."

Psalms 69:34 - "Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein."

Psalms 69:34 - "Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein."

"O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee." - Psalms 69:5

"O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee." - Psalms 69:5

Psalms 69:5 - "O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee."

Psalms 69:5 - "O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee."

Psalms 69:18 - "Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies."

Psalms 69:18 - "Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies."

Psalms 69:7 - "Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face."

Psalms 69:7 - "Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face."

Psalms 69:17 - "And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily."

Psalms 69:17 - "And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily."

Psalms 69:36 - "The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein."

Psalms 69:36 - "The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein."

Psalms 69:8 - "I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children."

Psalms 69:8 - "I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children."

Psalms 69:21 - "They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink."

Psalms 69:21 - "They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink."

"They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink." - Psalms 69:21

"They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink." - Psalms 69:21

Psalms 69:24 - "Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them."

Psalms 69:24 - "Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them."

Psalms 119:69 - "The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart."

Psalms 119:69 - "The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart."

"And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily." - Psalms 69:17

"And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily." - Psalms 69:17