Psalm 69 18

Psalm 69:18 kjv

Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.

Psalm 69:18 nkjv

Draw near to my soul, and redeem it; Deliver me because of my enemies.

Psalm 69:18 niv

Come near and rescue me; deliver me because of my foes.

Psalm 69:18 esv

Draw near to my soul, redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies!

Psalm 69:18 nlt

Come and redeem me;
free me from my enemies.

Psalm 69 verses

Psalm 69 18 Meaning

Psalm 69:18 is a deeply personal and urgent plea from a distressed individual to God for immediate and intimate divine intervention. It expresses a profound dependency on God to draw near, not just conceptually, but actively to save the very essence of the psalmist's being, to deliver them from the grip of their adversaries through an act of divine rescue and powerful liberation. This verse encapsulates the psalmist's conviction that only God can provide ultimate release from overwhelming tribulation.

Psalm 69 18 Context

Psalm 69 is a profound and often cited lament psalm attributed to David, marked by intense personal suffering and a deep cry for divine intervention. It depicts the psalmist overwhelmed by enemies, disgrace, and isolation, feeling as though he is sinking in "deep waters" (Ps 69:1-2). This verse, "Draw near to my soul and redeem it; ransom me from my enemies!", comes amidst repeated pleas for God not to hide His face and expressions of the psalmist's unceasing distress. Historically, the psalm is seen as reflecting David's persecution, but its themes of unjust suffering, betrayal, and passionate appeals for vindication have led to its strong association with Christ's passion and suffering in the New Testament (e.g., Ps 69:4, 9, 21, 25 are quoted or alluded to regarding Jesus). The psalmist, acting as a type for the righteous sufferer, petitions God for deliverance consistent with God's character as a Redeemer. The broader cultural context includes the concept of the "kinsman-redeemer" (goel) and the practice of "ransom" (pidyon), which involved specific actions to free individuals from various forms of bondage or danger, appealing to God's ultimate power and faithfulness to His covenant people.

Psalm 69 18 Word analysis

• Draw near (קָרַב - qarav):

  • This is an imperative verb, a direct command or fervent entreaty.
  • Signifies a spatial, temporal, and relational closeness, an active approach or movement.
  • Implies intimate, personal, and immediate presence, not just distant observation.
  • The psalmist desires God's personal proximity to his deepest being in his moment of need.
  • Contrast to God "hiding His face" (Ps 10:1; 13:1), which is what the psalmist fears or experiences.

• to my soul (נַפְשִׁי - nafshi):

  • Nefesh in Hebrew refers to the whole person, the inner being, life, vital essence, or self.
  • It indicates that the psalmist's very existence, his inner life and total being, is under threat and in need of God's close intervention.
  • It's a plea for comprehensive salvation, affecting the core of his being, not merely an external circumstance.

• and redeem it (וּגְאָלֶהָ - uḡĕ’āleha):

  • From the root גָּאַל (ga'al), meaning to act as a kinsman-redeemer, to reclaim, buy back, deliver, or avenge.
  • Refers to an action taken out of family obligation, covenant loyalty, or an inherent right to rescue from peril or servitude.
  • God is here invoked as the ultimate "Goel," who has the power and covenant commitment to free His people from bondage, loss, or danger (e.g., God redeeming Israel from Egypt, Ex 6:6).
  • Emphasizes God's sovereign power to recover or vindicate what is His own.

• ransom me (תִפְדֵּנִי - tifdeiini):

  • From the root פָדָה (padah), meaning to ransom, deliver, release, or set free, often by paying a price, through power, or substitution.
  • Similar to ga'al, but often focuses on the act of breaking the bonds or removing the threat through a payment or strong intervention, distinguishing the delivered one from captivity or peril.
  • It's a liberation from external power or control.
  • The double plea "redeem and ransom" powerfully reinforces the request for a complete and utterly comprehensive rescue. God's act would not just reclaim but also liberate from any remaining chains or claims.

• from my enemies! (מֵאוֹיְבַי - me’ōyəvay):

  • The preposition min (מֵ) indicates separation "from" or liberation "out of."
  • "Enemies" (oyəvîm) are active adversaries, those who maliciously oppose, persecute, and seek harm.
  • This defines the immediate threat, clearly identifying the source of the psalmist's peril and emphasizing the need for decisive action against these foes.
  • It's a specific deliverance from hostile forces, whether physical individuals or spiritual powers.

• "Draw near to my soul and redeem it; ransom me..."

  • This sequence highlights the progression: God's presence, then God's specific actions of rescue for the very being of the supplicant.
  • The verbs move from spatial/relational closeness to concrete acts of salvation.
  • The combination of ga'al (redeem) and padah (ransom) indicates a multi-faceted and total deliverance, covering both reclamation based on divine right and powerful liberation from bondage or danger. This double plea ensures no avenue of potential salvation is overlooked, appealing to all aspects of God's redemptive power and covenant faithfulness.

Psalm 69 18 Bonus section

The deep suffering expressed in Psalm 69 has led Christian theology to see strong typological connections to the passion of Jesus Christ. While the psalmist suffers under the hands of earthly enemies, Jesus, the ultimate suffering servant, experiences the fullness of divine withdrawal ("My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" echoing Ps 22) and the reproach for His Father's house (Ps 69:9). This verse's plea for redemption and ransom speaks to the cosmic redemption enacted by Christ, where His sacrifice served as the ultimate ransom price to free humanity from the bondage of sin and death, making divine closeness accessible to all believers. The specific wording also highlights the unique relationship God has with His covenant people, viewing them as His own, whom He is obligated and eager to reclaim from any form of captivity.

Psalm 69 18 Commentary

Psalm 69:18 captures the apex of a lamenter's desperate cry for divine rescue. It's a prayer for personal and immediate divine intervention when human help is exhausted. The plea "Draw near to my soul" isn't merely a request for intellectual acknowledgement; it's a yearning for intimate communion, for God's active, felt presence at the deepest core of one's being amidst profound suffering. The subsequent pleas, "redeem it" and "ransom me from my enemies," invoke God's most fundamental roles as the Kinkeeper-Redeemer (Goel) and Liberator. The request for redemption recalls God's covenant loyalty and His power shown in liberating Israel from slavery (Exodus). The call for ransom emphasizes being powerfully set free from the grip and control of adversaries, highlighting that this deliverance might come at a "cost," a divine effort to remove the threat. This verse perfectly encapsulates faith in God's willingness and capability to personally intervene and restore hope where only despair seemed to exist. It serves as a prototype for prayers in severe affliction, confident that God, by His nature, answers cries for salvation. For instance, in moments of spiritual oppression, one can echo this plea, asking God to "draw near" and free their "soul" from the hold of sin or doubt.