David's Cruelty: Poem Analysis

When reading through psalm 69, I see fitting to call it the “psalm of the struggle”. Indeed, David had his share of trials during his 70 years here on Earth. Whether it was running from Saul and Absalom, or watching countless, innocent people perish for numbering the populace, he clearly understood pain. Verse three exemplifies this reality as David sorrowfully exclaims that “I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God” (Psalm 69:3, King James Version). Kidner (2014) also describes his pleading as “desperate metaphors of inner turmoil and floundering” (p. 264). Indeed, David was quite expressive, as he understood that only in God lie the answers.
Next, David begins to shed some light on why he might be in this dire situation. In verse four, he opens up with “They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head” (Psalm 9:4, King James Version). The second and third units in this stich give the reader clues as to the source of his grief. Clearly, there were people, which included relatives, that hated David for what he represented in God.
Bullock (2005) affirmed this reality when he noted that David is “compelled…to put the offense in the context of divine judgment and describe a program of retribution” (p. 53). In all honesty, this is one aspect of David in the scriptures that I can’t identify with. Being such a wretched sinner for so many years, I can’t help but understand the need to extend the great mercy that I have received to others. Therefore, I encourage myself to pray for their blessing and their mercy; and that God would “grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:25, New American Standard