Psalms 69:21
Psalms 69:21 in Multiple Translations
They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst.
They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
They gave me also gall for my food; And in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
They gave me poison for my food; and bitter wine for my drink.
Instead they gave me bitter herbs to eat and vinegar to drink.
For they gaue me gall in my meate, and in my thirst they gaue me vineger to drinke.
And they give for my food gall, And for my thirst cause me to drink vinegar.
They also gave me poison for my food. In my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink.
They gave me also gall for my food; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
Instead, they gave me food that tasted like poison, and when I was thirsty, they gave me sour wine to drink.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 69:21
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 69:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
חֶרְפָּ֤ה
שָֽׁבְרָ֥ה
לִבִּ֗/י
וָֽ/אָ֫נ֥וּשָׁ/ה
וָ/אֲקַוֶּ֣ה
לָ/נ֣וּד
וָ/אַ֑יִן
וְ֝/לַ/מְנַחֲמִ֗ים
וְ/לֹ֣א
מָצָֽאתִי
חֶרְפָּ֤ה
cherpâh
H2781
reproach
N-fs
שָֽׁבְרָ֥ה
shâbar
H7665
to break
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
לִבִּ֗/י
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms | Suff
וָֽ/אָ֫נ֥וּשָׁ/ה
nûwsh
H5136
be sick
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff
וָ/אֲקַוֶּ֣ה
qâvâh
H6960
to await
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-1cs
לָ/נ֣וּד
nûwd
H5110
to wander
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
וָ/אַ֑יִן
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Conj | Part
וְ֝/לַ/מְנַחֲמִ֗ים
nâcham
H5162
to be sorry
Conj | Prep | V-Piel
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
מָצָֽאתִי
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 69:21
חֶרְפָּ֤ה
cherpâh
H2781
"reproach"
N-fs
Cherpah means reproach or shame, often used to describe scorn or disgrace. In the Bible, it is used to express strong feelings of shame or humiliation.
Definition: 1) reproach, scorn 1a) taunt, scorn (upon enemy) 1b) reproach (resting upon condition of shame, disgrace) 1c) a reproach (an object)
Usage: Occurs in 72 OT verses. KJV: rebuke, reproach(-fully), shame. See also: Genesis 30:23; Isaiah 25:8; Psalms 15:3.
שָֽׁבְרָ֥ה
shâbar
H7665
"to break"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
This word means to break or shatter something, either physically or emotionally. It can also mean to burst or rupture, and is often used to describe intense violence or destruction. In the Bible, it's translated as break or crush.
Definition: 1) to break, break in pieces 1a) (Qal) 1a1) break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench 1a2) to break, rupture (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked 1b2) to be broken, be crushed (fig) 1c) (Piel) to shatter, break 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to break out, bring to the birth 1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be shattered Aramaic equivalent: te.var (תְּבַר "to break" H8406)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, [idiom] quite, tear, view (by mistake for H7663 (שָׂבַר)). See also: Genesis 19:9; Isaiah 27:11; Psalms 3:8.
לִבִּ֗/י
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms | Suff
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
וָֽ/אָ֫נ֥וּשָׁ/ה
nûwsh
H5136
"be sick"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff
To be sick means feeling unwell or distressed, like when someone is full of heaviness. This word appears in the Bible to describe physical or emotional pain. It is used to convey a sense of suffering.
Definition: (Qal) to be sick
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: be full of heaviness. See also: Psalms 69:21.
וָ/אֲקַוֶּ֣ה
qâvâh
H6960
"to await"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to collect or gather things together, and can also mean to wait patiently for something. It is used in Psalms and Proverbs to describe waiting on God.
Definition: 1) to wait, look for, hope, expect 1a) (Qal) waiting (participle) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to wait or look eagerly for 1b2) to lie in wait for 1b3) to wait for, linger for
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: gather (together), look, patiently, tarry, wait (for, on, upon). See also: Genesis 1:9; Isaiah 5:2; Psalms 25:3.
לָ/נ֣וּד
nûwd
H5110
"to wander"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
To wander means to move aimlessly, showing grief or sympathy, and is used to describe someone who is lost or in need of comfort, like a mourner or a fugitive.
Definition: 1) to shake, waver, wander, move to and fro, flutter, show grief, have compassion on 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to move to and fro, wander (aimlessly), take flight 1a2) to flutter 1a3) to waver, wave, shake 1a4) to show grief 1a4a) to lament, condole, show sympathy 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to wander (aimlessly) 1b2) to make a wagging, wag (with the head) 1c) (Hithpolel) 1c1) to move oneself to and fro, sway, totter 1c2) to shake oneself 1c3) to bemoan oneself
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: bemoan, flee, get, mourn, make to move, take pity, remove, shake, skip for joy, be sorry, vagabond, way, wandering. See also: Genesis 4:12; Jeremiah 4:1; Psalms 11:1.
וָ/אַ֑יִן
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Conj | Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
וְ֝/לַ/מְנַחֲמִ֗ים
nâcham
H5162
"to be sorry"
Conj | Prep | V-Piel
To comfort means showing pity or sympathy, as seen in God's actions throughout the Bible, such as in Isaiah 40. The word can also imply regret or remorse, like in the story of Jonah, who was sorry for his actions. It involves easing someone's pain or discomfort.
Definition: : comfort 1) to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be sorry, be moved to pity, have compassion 1a2) to be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent 1a3) to comfort oneself, be comforted 1a4) to comfort oneself, ease oneself 1b) (Piel) to comfort, console 1c) (Pual) to be comforted, be consoled 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to be sorry, have compassion 1d2) to rue, repent of 1d3) to comfort oneself, be comforted 1d4) to ease oneself Also means: na.cham (נָחַם ": relent" H5162H)
Usage: Occurs in 100 OT verses. KJV: comfort (self), ease (one's self), repent(-er,-ing, self). See also: Genesis 5:29; Isaiah 12:1; Psalms 23:4.
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
מָצָֽאתִי
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
Study Notes — Psalms 69:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 69:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 69:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 69:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 69:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 69:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 69:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 69:21
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 69:21
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 69:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 69:21
- Sermons on Psalms 69:21
Context — The Waters Are up to My Neck
19You know my reproach, my shame and disgrace. All my adversaries are before You.
20Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found no one.
21They poisoned my food with gall and gave me vinegar to quench my thirst.
22May their table become a snare; may it be a retribution and a trap. 23May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 27:34 | they offered Him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, He refused to drink it. |
| 2 | Luke 23:36 | The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine. |
| 3 | Mark 15:23 | There they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it. |
| 4 | Matthew 27:48 | One of them quickly ran and brought a sponge. He filled it with sour wine, put it on a reed, and held it up for Jesus to drink. |
| 5 | Mark 15:36 | And someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine. He put it on a reed and held it up for Jesus to drink, saying, “Leave Him alone. Let us see if Elijah comes to take Him down.” |
| 6 | John 19:28–30 | After this, knowing that everything had now been accomplished, and to fulfill the Scripture, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of sour wine was sitting there. So they soaked a sponge in the wine, put it on a stalk of hyssop, and lifted it to His mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 8:14 | Why are we just sitting here? Gather together, let us flee to the fortified cities and perish there, for the LORD our God has doomed us. He has given us poisoned water to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD. |
| 8 | Jeremiah 9:15 | Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will feed this people wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink. |
| 9 | Deuteronomy 29:18 | Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations. Make sure there is no root among you that bears such poisonous and bitter fruit, |
| 10 | Jeremiah 23:15 | Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says concerning the prophets: “I will feed them wormwood and give them poisoned water to drink, for from the prophets of Jerusalem ungodliness has spread throughout the land.” |
Psalms 69:21 Summary
This verse is talking about how the psalmist's enemies were trying to hurt him, even in the simplest things like food and drink. They were giving him bitter things to eat and drink, which is a picture of how they were trying to make his life miserable. This is similar to what happened to Jesus when He was on the cross and was given vinegar to drink (Matthew 27:34). The psalmist is feeling sad and alone, but he is still trusting in God to take care of him, just like we can trust in God to provide for us even when things seem bleak (Isaiah 41:10, Romans 8:28).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of gall and vinegar in Psalms 69:21?
The use of gall and vinegar in Psalms 69:21 is a metaphor for the bitter treatment the psalmist received from his enemies, much like the bitter drink offered to Jesus Christ in Matthew 27:34, which was a fulfillment of this prophecy.
How does this verse relate to the life of Jesus Christ?
Psalms 69:21 is a prophecy that was fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ, as recorded in Matthew 27:34 and John 19:28, where Jesus was given vinegar to drink while on the cross.
What is the emotional state of the psalmist in this verse?
The psalmist is expressing a deep sense of despair and rejection, feeling that even his basic needs are being poisoned and twisted by his enemies, as seen in the preceding verses, Psalms 69:19-20.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives?
This verse reminds us that as followers of Jesus Christ, we may face persecution and hardship, but we can trust in God's sovereignty and provision, just as the psalmist did, and look to Him for comfort and strength, as promised in Isaiah 41:10 and Romans 8:28.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I have experienced 'poisoned food' or 'vinegar' in my own life, and how can I trust God to provide for me in those situations?
- How can I balance my desire for comfort and sympathy from others with the reality that true comfort and strength come from God alone, as seen in Psalms 69:20?
- In what ways can I be a source of comfort and refreshment to others, rather than 'poisoning' them with my words or actions?
- What does this verse teach me about the nature of God's sovereignty and provision in the midst of suffering, and how can I apply that to my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 69:21
They gave me also gall for my meat,.... Either some bitter herb mentioned with wormwood and hemlock, Deuteronomy 29:18; or the gall of some animal The Targum renders it, "the gall of the heads of
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 69:21
Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 69:21
Gall, or poison, or bitter herbs, . See . Instead of giving me that pity and comfort which my condition required, they barbarously added to my afflictions. These things were metaphorically fulfilled in David, but properly and literally h Christ, the description of whose sufferings was principally intended here by the Holy Ghost, who therefore directed David’ s pen to these words, and possibly informed him that this should be accomplished in Christ; which may not seem improbable to him that considers the following imprecations, which are so many and so severe, that they may seem to exceed the bounds of justice and charity, if they be applied to David’ s enemies, as a recompence for their injuries done to him; whereas they most deservedly and fitly belong to the enemies and murderers of Christ.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 69:21
Psalms 69:21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.Ver. 21. They gave me also gall for my meat] Venenum vel eicutam; and so showed themselves miserable comforters. And in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink] This befell David in figure, but Christ in the letter, Matthew 27:34. It were happy if the vinegar given him might melt our adamantine hearts into godly sorrow.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 69:21
(21) Gall.—Heb., rôsh, i.e., head. (Comp. poppy heads. See Deuteronomy 32:32.) In Hosea 10:4 it is translated hemlock, but is most probably the poppy (papaver arenarium), which grows everywhere in Palestine, and answers all the conditions. The rendering, gall, comes from the LXX. Vinegar.—Sour wine would not be rejected as unpalatable (see Note Rth 2:14). It was forbidden to Nazarites as a luxury (Numbers 6:3). Was the author of the psalm possibly a Nazarite? or are the expressions in the psalm merely figurative. Comp. “The banquet where the meats became As wormwood.” —: Elaine.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 69:21
Verse 21. They gave me also gall for my meat] Even the food, necessary to preserve us in their slavery, was frequently mingled with what rendered it unpleasant and disgusting, though not absolutely unwholesome. And vinegar, sour small wines, was given us for our beverage. This is applied to our Lord, Matthew 27:34, where the reader is requested to consult the notes.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 69:21
21. This verse is connected with the preceding one. Not content with merely refusing sympathy, they aggravated and embittered his sufferings, as though one were to mock a hungry man by offering him bitter and poisonous food, or a thirsty man by giving him sour and undrinkable wine. The language is plainly metaphorical: cp. Jeremiah 8:14; Jeremiah 9:15; Jeremiah 23:15. The Heb. word rôsh, rendered gall (LXX ÷ïëÞ, Vulg. and Jer. fel), denotes some bitter and poisonous plant, which cannot however be identified with certainty. Tristram (Nat. Hist. of Bible, p. 447) thinks that the Poppy is the plant intended. “Papaver arenarium grows everywhere in Palestine; it springs up very quickly in cornfields, and its juice is most bitter and poisonous.” Vinegar cannot here mean the thin sour wine which was used as a refreshing beverage (Numbers 6:3; Rth 2:14), but such as had gone bad and become nauseous and unfit to drink. Allusion seems to be made to this passage in St Matthew’s account of the Crucifixion (Matthew 27:34), though it is not actually quoted; and St John expressly says that the cry “I thirst” was uttered “that the scripture might be accomplished[34].” [34] The ‘Gospel of Peter’ (ch. 5) represents the potion of “gall with vinegar” as poison administered to hasten death.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 69:21
They gave me also - My enemies; all persons around me. No one would show me even so much kindness as to give me food when I was hungry, or drink when I was thirsty. They utterly forsook me; they left me to die unpitied.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 69:21
21. They gave me… gall for… meat— “Gall,” here, properly denotes active poison of any kind, whether in food or drink. See Jeremiah 8:14; Amos 6:12. Sometimes the word signifies a poisonous herb, as Deuteronomy 29:18; Hosea 10:4.
Sermons on Psalms 69:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Flood by Bill Randles | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that the world, despite its glitter and glamour, is under judgment and wrath. He warns against getting too excited about worldly things, suc |
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The Burning Hell That Jesus Preached by Ian Paisley | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the topic of hell and responds to a television program that ridiculed the teaching of the Word of God. He emphasizes the eternal nature of he |
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The Word of Suffering by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink explores the profound significance of Jesus' statement 'I thirst' during his crucifixion, emphasizing both His humanity and divine glory. This utterance reflects the inte |
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The First Time Jesus Cleans Out the Temple John 2:13-25 by David Servant | David Servant preaches about Jesus' righteous anger in the Temple, emphasizing the importance of honoring God and worshiping Him sincerely. Jesus' actions in the Temple reveal His |
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Guidelines: Part 2 How Do You Know the Bible Is From God? by J. Vernon McGee | J. Vernon McGee delves into the question of how we can know the Bible is from God, presenting compelling reasons for its divine origin. He discusses the marvelous preservation of t |
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(Guidelines) Fulfilled Prophecy by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the speaker presents fulfilled prophecy as the conclusive proof that the Bible is the Word of God. He explains that one fourth of the Bible is prophetic, denouncing |
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Sunday Night Meditations 40 Message and Song - 1950's by Welcome Detweiler | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the sacrifice and love of God displayed at Calvary. He describes Jesus willingly taking on the bitter cup of suffering for the sake of human |