Psalm 69 28

Psalm 69:28 kjv

Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

Psalm 69:28 nkjv

Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, And not be written with the righteous.

Psalm 69:28 niv

May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.

Psalm 69:28 esv

Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; let them not be enrolled among the righteous.

Psalm 69:28 nlt

Erase their names from the Book of Life;
don't let them be counted among the righteous.

Psalm 69 verses

Psalm 69 28 Meaning

Psalm 69:28 is an imprecatory prayer, expressing a fervent desire that the persistent and malicious adversaries of God's anointed servant (David, prophetically Christ, and by extension, God's people) be utterly removed from God's register of those chosen for life and blessing. This signifies a definitive separation from God's favor, salvation, and the fellowship of the truly righteous, implying ultimate divine judgment and eternal exclusion. It is a plea for justice, asking God to permanently distinguish between those who serve Him and those who steadfastly oppose His purposes and His people.

Psalm 69 28 Context

Psalm 69 is a profound lament attributed to David, expressing the profound suffering of a righteous individual unjustly persecuted by numerous adversaries. The chapter begins with an urgent cry for deliverance from overwhelming distress and floods of opposition (Psa 69:1-3). The psalmist describes the baseless hatred of his enemies, the shame and reproach he endures for God's sake, and his deep spiritual agony (Psa 69:4-12). It transitions into a plea for divine intervention and a series of powerful imprecations (Psa 69:22-28), praying for the judgment of those who inflict such suffering and scoff at his affliction. Verse 28 is the culmination of these prayers for judgment, specifying the ultimate divine verdict against these oppressors – their eternal separation from God's chosen people and His salvific register. This Psalm is also highly Messianic, containing several prophetic allusions to Christ's sufferings and the actions of His adversaries (e.g., the zeal for God's house consuming Him (Psa 69:9) cited in Jn 2:17, and being given gall for food and vinegar to drink (Psa 69:21) cited in Mt 27:34).

Psalm 69 28 Word analysis

• "Let them be blotted out" (Hebrew: yimach - יִמָּח from root machah - מָחָה): This word signifies a complete removal, wiping away, or obliteration. It carries the weight of definitive cancellation, as in wiping ink from a scroll or removing a name from a record. In a divine context, it speaks to an irreversible judgment and the cessation of a connection with God's blessings. Its use here indicates a desire for final and eternal removal from God's favorable remembrance.
• "of the book of life" (Hebrew: misefer chayyim - מִסֵּפֶר חַיִּים): Not a literal ledger, but a divine register symbolizing God's active knowledge, choice, and remembrance of those destined for eternal life and blessing. This concept appears throughout Scripture, representing those who are genuinely in covenant relationship with God and share in His divine provision and salvation. To be "blotted out" of it is to be permanently disinherited from God's gracious purposes and ultimate salvation. It denotes a spiritual and eternal separation.
• "and not be written" (Hebrew: v'im tzaddiqim lo yikkatevu - וְעִם צַדִּיקִים לֹא יִכָּתֵבוּ from katav - כָּתַב): "Written" implies enrollment or inscription into a record, confirming membership, status, or identity within a group. This phrase reinforces the idea of permanent exclusion, emphasizing that these adversaries are fundamentally alienated from the divine fellowship.
• "with the righteous" (Hebrew: im tzaddiqim - עִם צַדִּיקִים from tsaddiq - צַדִּיק): Refers to those who are in right standing with God, declared just, and aligned with His divine will. They are His true people, marked by integrity and faithfulness. To not be "written with them" signifies being forever separate from their blessed fellowship, heritage, and destiny in God's eternal kingdom. This also highlights a distinction that transcends outward association, pointing to the spiritual reality of genuine adherence to God.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Let them be blotted out of the book of life": This powerful imprecation goes beyond temporal punishment, targeting the adversaries' eternal standing. It suggests a divine disinheritance, where they forfeit their place in God's redemptive plan and blessed future. The "book of life" here is less about a mere historical record and more about a directory of divine election and those receiving spiritual vitality.
• "and not be written with the righteous": This clause serves as a parallel intensification of the first, cementing the desired outcome. It underscores a fundamental separation, not just from a "list" but from the very company, identity, and ultimate inheritance of those whom God considers His own. It is a prayer for their absolute spiritual disenfranchisement, ensuring they have no part with God's people in His kingdom. This reinforces the eschatological nature of the judgment requested, pointing to final accountability.

Psalm 69 28 Bonus section

The concept of the "book of life" develops throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, it sometimes refers to a civil or community register of those alive within Israel, with names potentially added or removed (e.g., Ex 32:32-33; Psa 69:28). However, it increasingly acquires an eschatological and salvific meaning, particularly in Daniel, Philippians, and Revelation, signifying those predestined or appointed by God for eternal life. Psalm 69:28 operates at this deeper level, seeking not just physical death but eternal severance from God's elect. This Psalm is frequently cited in the New Testament to describe the sufferings and betrayal endured by Jesus Christ, which lends a prophetic dimension to the imprecations; these are seen as divine judgments against those who opposed the Messiah. The fulfillment of these prayers for judgment is seen in the ultimate fate of unrepentant unbelievers and enemies of Christ, particularly those who rejected Him and orchestrated His crucifixion, leading to their spiritual disinheritance. The severity of the imprecation also serves to emphasize the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin that directly assaults His character and His righteous rule.

Psalm 69 28 Commentary

Psalm 69:28 is a direct, impassioned plea for divine justice, marking the culmination of David’s imprecations against his enemies. It expresses a desire for their complete and irrevocable separation from God's chosen people and His plan of salvation. The "book of life" symbolizes God's record of those destined for eternal blessing, implying that to be blotted out means eternal spiritual condemnation. The phrase "not be written with the righteous" further solidifies this by calling for an ultimate distinction between the wicked and the faithful, where the wicked are excluded from the covenant community and its eschatological hope. While harsh sounding, it is understood in a theological framework as a fervent desire for God's perfect justice to prevail over relentless wickedness that opposes His divine purposes. It reflects the psalmist's zeal for God's righteousness, trusting God to execute the just penalty against those who have spurned divine grace and persecuted God’s own. It serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate fate of those who refuse to turn from their evil ways and persistently war against God's truth.Examples: This principle highlights that those who consistently align themselves against God and His people, demonstrating unrepentant rebellion, face a destiny apart from God's saving grace and kingdom. It reminds us of the critical importance of being genuinely "in Christ" to have our names perpetually secure in God's divine register.