Psalms 69:28 - Let them be blotted out of the book of life, and not be written with the righteous.
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What does "Psalms 69:28" mean?
Psalm 69:28 is a powerful and harsh curse, typical of the imprecatory Psalms (Psalms that call for judgment and destruction upon enemies). Understanding its meaning requires considering the context of the Psalm and the cultural understanding of the "book of life" in biblical times.
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its implications:
"Let them be blotted out of the book of life...":
The Book of Life: This phrase appears in several places in the Old and New Testaments (Exodus 32:32-33, Daniel 12:1, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 20:12,15, Revelation 21:27). The idea is that God keeps a register or record of those who belong to Him, those who are destined for salvation and eternal life.
"Blotted out": This implies removal or erasure. The Psalmist is asking God to remove these enemies from His register, essentially excluding them from eternal life and salvation. It's a petition for their ultimate rejection by God. It would have a double meaning for many in the ancient world as city and nation rosters were essential for tax collection and knowing who would be required to serve in the army. Being removed from those rosters was devestating and akin to losing ones national identity.
"...and not be written with the righteous.":
"Written with the righteous": This is the flip side of being blotted out. It emphasizes the contrast between the wicked enemies and those who are considered righteous in God's eyes. Being "written with the righteous" means being included among those who are in a right relationship with God, who follow His laws, and who will share in His blessings.
"Not be written": The Psalmist is praying that these enemies will not be counted among the righteous, suggesting they will not be part of the community of believers or share in the blessings promised to those who follow God.
In Summary:
The verse is a prayer for the complete exclusion of the Psalmist's enemies from God's grace, salvation, and the community of the righteous. It's a plea for their ultimate condemnation.
Interpretational Considerations:
Imprecatory Psalms: It's crucial to understand that these are prayers offered in a specific historical and cultural context. They reflect the deep pain, anger, and sense of injustice experienced by the Psalmist.
Old Testament Justice: The Old Testament often emphasizes God's justice in a more immediate and retributive way than the New Testament.
New Testament Perspective: The New Testament, particularly Jesus' teachings on love and forgiveness, presents a different perspective on dealing with enemies. Christians often struggle with how to reconcile the imprecatory Psalms with the teachings of Jesus. Some possible approaches include:
Historical Context: Understanding the historical and cultural context of the Psalms.
Prophetic Significance: Some see these Psalms as prophetic descriptions of the ultimate judgment of the wicked.
Expression of Deep Emotion: Recognizing them as authentic expressions of human pain and frustration, even if they don't fully align with New Testament ideals.
Focus on Justice: Interpreting them as prayers for God's justice to prevail, not necessarily as personal calls for vengeance.
In Conclusion:
Psalm 69:28 is a powerful prayer for the condemnation of enemies, reflecting the Psalmist's deep sense of injustice and desire for God's justice. It must be understood within its historical and cultural context and interpreted in light of the broader biblical narrative, including the teachings of Jesus. While it's a challenging verse, it provides insight into the complex emotions and struggles of faith in the face of adversity.
Psalms 69:28 - Let them be blotted out of the book of life, and not be written with the righteous.
What does "Psalms 69:28" mean?
Psalm 69:28 is a powerful and harsh curse, typical of the imprecatory Psalms (Psalms that call for judgment and destruction upon enemies). Understanding its meaning requires considering the context of the Psalm and the cultural understanding of the "book of life" in biblical times.
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its implications:
"Let them be blotted out of the book of life...":
The Book of Life: This phrase appears in several places in the Old and New Testaments (Exodus 32:32-33, Daniel 12:1, Revelation 3:5, Revelation 13:8, Revelation 20:12,15, Revelation 21:27). The idea is that God keeps a register or record of those who belong to Him, those who are destined for salvation and eternal life.
"Blotted out": This implies removal or erasure. The Psalmist is asking God to remove these enemies from His register, essentially excluding them from eternal life and salvation. It's a petition for their ultimate rejection by God. It would have a double meaning for many in the ancient world as city and nation rosters were essential for tax collection and knowing who would be required to serve in the army. Being removed from those rosters was devestating and akin to losing ones national identity.
"...and not be written with the righteous.":
"Written with the righteous": This is the flip side of being blotted out. It emphasizes the contrast between the wicked enemies and those who are considered righteous in God's eyes. Being "written with the righteous" means being included among those who are in a right relationship with God, who follow His laws, and who will share in His blessings.
"Not be written": The Psalmist is praying that these enemies will not be counted among the righteous, suggesting they will not be part of the community of believers or share in the blessings promised to those who follow God.
In Summary:
The verse is a prayer for the complete exclusion of the Psalmist's enemies from God's grace, salvation, and the community of the righteous. It's a plea for their ultimate condemnation.
Interpretational Considerations:
Imprecatory Psalms: It's crucial to understand that these are prayers offered in a specific historical and cultural context. They reflect the deep pain, anger, and sense of injustice experienced by the Psalmist.
Old Testament Justice: The Old Testament often emphasizes God's justice in a more immediate and retributive way than the New Testament.
New Testament Perspective: The New Testament, particularly Jesus' teachings on love and forgiveness, presents a different perspective on dealing with enemies. Christians often struggle with how to reconcile the imprecatory Psalms with the teachings of Jesus. Some possible approaches include:
Historical Context: Understanding the historical and cultural context of the Psalms.
Prophetic Significance: Some see these Psalms as prophetic descriptions of the ultimate judgment of the wicked.
Expression of Deep Emotion: Recognizing them as authentic expressions of human pain and frustration, even if they don't fully align with New Testament ideals.
Focus on Justice: Interpreting them as prayers for God's justice to prevail, not necessarily as personal calls for vengeance.
In Conclusion:
Psalm 69:28 is a powerful prayer for the condemnation of enemies, reflecting the Psalmist's deep sense of injustice and desire for God's justice. It must be understood within its historical and cultural context and interpreted in light of the broader biblical narrative, including the teachings of Jesus. While it's a challenging verse, it provides insight into the complex emotions and struggles of faith in the face of adversity.