When suffering left David exhausted and desperate for deliverance, he kept calling on God. His prayer in Psalm 69 reminds overwhelmed believers that even their rawest cries are expressions of faith, heard by a God whose steadfast love never fails.
By EEW Magazine Online
“Answer my prayers, O Lord, for your unfailing love is wonderful.” Psalm 69:16 (NLT)
Some days the overwhelm comes as one wave. Most days it comes as a slow rise. A text from the school. A balance that won’t stretch to Friday. A parent who needs more care than she did last month. You keep functioning. You show up, smile in the right places and handle what’s in front of you.
Then, somewhere between the car and the kitchen, you realize the water is at your chin, and you can’t remember the last time your feet touched bottom.
David’s troubles in Psalm 69 came from persecution, and the overwhelm in his words may sound vaguely familiar. He describes enemies who hate him without cause and outnumber the hairs on his head. He is falsely accused and pressed to repay what he never stole. He endures insults because of his devotion to God, and even his own brothers treat him like a stranger. By verse 20 he says the insults have broken his heart and he is in despair.
The floodwaters in this psalm are a picture of that suffering. In the opening verses David says the water has reached his neck and he is sinking into mire with no foothold. He is worn out from crying for help. His throat is dry, and his eyes are swollen from waiting on God.
“Don’t let the floods overwhelm me, or the deep waters swallow me.” Psalm 69:15 (NLT) Photo: Marnie Griffiths / Getty Images
Then comes a short line that turns the psalm: “But I keep praying to you, Lord.” Nothing around him has changed. He keeps praying anyway, and by verse 15 he is still in the water, still asking:
“Don’t let the floods overwhelm me, or the deep waters swallow me, or the pit of death devour me. Answer my prayers, O Lord, for your unfailing love is wonderful. Take care of me, for your mercy is so plentiful. Don’t hide from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble!” (Psalm 69:15-17, NLT)
In the middle of that urgency, David appeals to God’s unfailing love and abundant mercy.
The Hebrew word behind “unfailing love” is chesed, the loyal, steadfast love God shows to His covenant people. The King James Version renders it “lovingkindness” here.
David has lost his footing and his standing with his own brothers. He still knows who God is. His circumstances offer little encouragement, and God’s character still gives him a reason to keep asking.
That is good news for the woman who believes God is good and cannot understand why the trouble keeps rising. David lived with both at once. He knew God’s love was steadfast, and he felt himself going under. His faith showed up as a cry for help.
Near the end of the psalm, David is still in pain. In verse 29 he says he is suffering and asks God to rescue him. He then says, “Then I will praise God’s name with singing.”
Scripture reports no rescue between those two verses. David is still pleading for deliverance, and he can already speak of the praise he intends to offer. His confidence rests in the God who hears him.
Maybe you have prayed until your throat is dry. Maybe the answer you need has not come, and tomorrow holds another long day of responsibilities that feel too heavy. David’s prayer gives you words for that place. You can tell God how much it hurts. You can ask Him to come quickly. You can bring Him your fear and your exhaustion.
Then you can get up and do the next thing in front of you, praying as you go and reaching for the help He places around you.
David’s own words give you the reason to keep going: “For the Lord hears the cries of the needy.” With the water over your head and no foothold in sight, your cry still reaches Him.
Heavenly Father, I am overwhelmed, and I need You to answer me quickly. Give me strength for what I must do today and wisdom to reach for the help You provide. While I wait on You, I will keep praying, and I will praise You, because You hear the cries of the needy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
