Psalms 69 · Grade 4
Zeal for God's House
Read and Think
The title of Psalm 69 says it is by David, to the tune of Lilies. It opens with drowning: Save me, God, for the waters have come up to my neck! I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold. David is weary with crying, and those who hate him without a cause are more than the hairs of his head.
Part of his suffering comes from loving God. For the zeal of your house consumes me. The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. When he wept and fasted, people mocked him. Even so, David says, my prayer is to you, Yahweh, and he asks God to answer according to his loving kindness.
David asks God to deal with his enemies, leaving judgment in God's hands. Then the psalm ends with song: I will praise the name of God with a song. Yahweh hears the needy. In the New Testament, Jesus' disciples remembered verse 9 when he cleared the temple (John 2:17), and John says Jesus was offered vinegar on the cross (John 19:29), words that echo verse 21.
Show What You Know
What picture describes David's trouble at the start?
Why did some people mock David?
What does David do with his enemies?
When did the disciples remember verse 9?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- It opens with drowning: Save me, God, for the have come up to my neck!
- I sink in mire, where there is no foothold.
- David is with crying, and those who hate him without a cause are more than the hairs of his head.
- Part of his suffering comes from loving .
- Even so, David says, my is to you, Yahweh, and he asks God to answer according to his loving kindness.
Think About It
Have you ever felt like you were in deep water? How can you call on God then?
How can loving God sometimes bring teasing from others?
Memory Verse
“For the zeal of your house consumes me. The reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.”
Psalms 69:9 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for answering me when I call. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- David asked that others who hope in God not be shamed because of him. How might your choices affect others who follow God?
- How can you hand over hurt to God instead of hurting back?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.