Psalm 69

Psalm 69 is a prayer for help. The person speaking is in trouble and feels surrounded by enemies. They cry out to God, asking to be saved. This psalm shows deep pain, but also trust that God listens and cares.

The psalm begins with an image of drowning. The speaker says they are sinking in deep water. They feel tired from crying and waiting for God. This shows how suffering can feel like being stuck with no way out.

As the psalm goes on, we see that the speaker is being attacked. People make fun of them and treat them unfairly. The speaker tries to stay faithful to God, but others laugh at that. Still, the speaker keeps turning to God for help and strength.

Toward the end, the psalm changes tone. The speaker begins to praise God. They believe that God will hear the poor and protect the weak. Psalm 69 reminds us that it’s okay to cry out when life is hard. God hears the cries of those who suffer and stays close to them.

This psalm is part of the second section of the Book of Psalms. The Book of Psalms is divided into five parts. Psalm 69 is found in Book II, which includes Psalms 42 through 72. Many of these psalms focus on prayer during hard times. They often ask God to help and to bring justice.

Psalm 69 is linked to David. The title says it is “of David,” which means it may have been written by him or in his name. David faced many trials in his life. He was hunted by enemies, betrayed by friends, and often alone. This psalm fits well with his story.

Even though it comes from long ago, the pain in this psalm still speaks to us today. It shows what it feels like to be rejected and in deep trouble. But it also shows someone who keeps turning to God, no matter what.

One strong theme in this psalm is suffering. The speaker feels hated, mocked, and alone. But even in all this pain, they keep praying. In Catholic life, we believe that God hears the cries of the poor and stays near to those who suffer. This psalm reminds us that we can talk to God honestly when life is hard.

Another theme is trust. The speaker believes that God will answer, even when everything feels lost. Catholics see this as a sign of faith. We are called to trust God, not just when life is easy, but also when it’s full of sorrow. The psalm teaches us to stay close to God no matter what.

This psalm also points to Jesus. Some parts sound like what Jesus went through during his Passion. He was mocked, rejected, and hurt. Catholics often pray this psalm during Lent or when thinking about the cross. It helps us see how Jesus took on pain and still loved.

Finally, we see hope. Even after all the tears, the speaker praises God. They believe that God will rescue them. That hope is at the center of Catholic faith—God saves, and God never leaves us alone.

Many people today feel lost, hurt, or pushed aside. Life can be unfair. Sometimes we feel like we are drowning in problems, just like the speaker in this psalm. That’s why this prayer still matters. It gives us words to say when we don’t know how to pray.

This psalm teaches us that it’s okay to cry out to God. We don’t have to pretend everything is fine. God listens when we’re in pain. God stays with us when we feel alone. Catholics can use this psalm when going through illness, grief, or times of fear.

It also reminds us to care for others. The psalm says that God hears the poor. That means we should also listen to those who are suffering around us. We are called to help, to comfort, and to love.

This ancient prayer still speaks to modern life. It shows how faith and struggle can go together.

When I Feel Alone

God, I feel like I’m sinking.
The stress, the pressure, the fear—it’s too much.
No one sees how tired I am.
Please don’t let me drown in this.

People laugh or walk past me.
Sometimes I feel invisible.
I try to do what’s right, but it’s hard.
Help me keep going when I want to give up.

I call out, but I don’t always hear You.
I wait and wonder if You hear me.
Give me strength to keep praying.
Remind me that You are near.

I know You care about the ones the world forgets.
You see the pain others miss.
Help me trust that You’re working,
Even when I can’t see the answer yet.

Thank You for staying close.
Thank You for hearing my cries.
Help me help others who feel lost too.
Let my life show Your love.

Psalm 69 shows up more than once in the Roman Catholic lectionary. It is often used when the Church wants us to think about suffering, rejection, or trust in hard times. Parts of this psalm are read during Mass, especially when the readings focus on Jesus’ Passion or on how people stay faithful in trials.

Some verses from this psalm also appear in the Gospel stories. For example, when Jesus is given vinegar to drink on the cross, it connects to a line in this psalm: “Instead they gave me poison for my food; and for my thirst they gave me vinegar.” That helps us see how this old prayer points to Jesus and what He went through. It reminds us that Jesus understands pain and shares it with us.

When we hear Psalm 69 at Mass, we are invited to pray with those who are hurting. We also join our voices with Jesus, who prayed with the psalms. It gives us words when we feel weak or worn out. This psalm helps us stay close to God, even when life is heavy.

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

God Listens and Lifts the Lowly

Psalm 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37 is a prayer for help during hard times. The speaker feels weak and in pain but turns to God with trust. They believe God is kind and full of mercy. Even in suffering, they choose to praise and thank God, showing that faith can stay strong even when life is hard.

The psalm gives hope to those who are struggling. It says God hears the poor and does not ignore people in trouble. It also looks ahead with hope. God will rebuild and restore. Those who stay close to Him will find safety and a place to belong. This prayer reminds us to turn to God in every need, because He will not turn away.

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

God Hears the Broken

Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35 is a cry for help from someone who feels rejected and alone. They are insulted and pushed away by others, even by those close to them. Their pain comes from trying to stay faithful to God. But even in the middle of that pain, they keep praying and asking God to answer with love and mercy.

The psalm also speaks to others who feel low or forgotten. It reminds them that God hears the poor and those who suffer. It ends with a call to praise—asking all of creation to honor God. This prayer shows that even when we are hurting, we can trust that God is near, and He will not turn away from us.

Selections from Psalm 69 are also read at weekday Masses:

• Tuesday of the 15th Week in Ordinary Time I – Psalm 69:3, 14, 30-31, 33-34: Seek the Lord and Live
• Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time II – Psalm 69:5, 8-10, 14: Prayer for Help
• Wednesday of Holy Week – Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34: Suffering for Devotion
• Saturday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time II – Psalm 69:15-16, 30-31, 33-34: A Cry for Rescue and Hope
• Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time I – Psalm 69:30-31, 33-34, 36: Lord, In Your Great Love, Help Me
• Saturday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time I – Psalm 69:33-35, 36-37: God Hears the Needy

Who wrote Psalm 69?

The psalm is linked to David. It may have been written by him or for him. It reflects times of trouble and prayer in his life.

What is Psalm 69 about?

It is a prayer from someone who is suffering. The speaker feels rejected, mocked, and in danger. But they still trust God and ask for help.

Why is Psalm 69 important for Catholics?

It helps us pray when life is hard. It reminds us that God listens to those who suffer. It also points to Jesus and His own suffering.

When do we hear Psalm 69 at Mass?

We hear parts of it during Mass, especially when the readings focus on Jesus’ Passion or on staying faithful during trials.

How can I use Psalm 69 in my own life?

You can pray with this psalm when you feel sad, alone, or unfairly treated. It gives you words to talk to God honestly. It also reminds you that you are not alone.

Psalm 69 is a prayer from someone who feels overwhelmed. The speaker is in pain and surrounded by enemies. They feel like they are drowning and call out to God for help. This prayer is full of sorrow, but it also shows faith. The speaker keeps asking God to listen.

The psalm talks about being rejected and mocked. The person suffers for trying to follow God. Even close friends and family turn away. Catholics can connect this to Jesus, who was also mocked and left alone during His Passion. Some lines in this psalm are even used in the Gospels.

But the psalm is not just about pain. It also includes hope. The speaker believes that God hears the poor and saves those in trouble. It ends with praise and trust that God will help.

For Catholics, Psalm 69 reminds us that we can bring all our pain to God. It teaches us to pray in hard times and to trust that God will never leave us.

If you’re going through a hard time, take a moment to read Psalm 69. Let the words speak to your own struggles. You don’t need fancy prayers. Just be honest, like the person in this psalm.

Have you ever felt like this psalm describes your own life? If so, you are not alone. Share your thoughts in the comments. Let others know how prayer helped you through. Let’s walk with each other in faith.