The Meaning of Psalms 69:2 Explained

Psalms 69:2

KJV: I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

YLT: I have sunk in deep mire, And there is no standing, I have come into the depths of the waters, And a flood hath overflown me.

Darby: I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing; I am come into the depths of waters, and the flood overfloweth me.

ASV: I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

I sink  in deep  mire,  where [there is] no standing:  I am come  into deep  waters,  where the floods  overflow  me. 

What does Psalms 69:2 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 69:1-17 - A Cry Out Of Deep Waters
This psalm and the Psalms 22:1-31 are quoted most often in the New Testament as referring to our Lord. Psalms 69:1-36 is very sad. Throughout we detect a heart-break. There are many grounds on which the sufferer bases his plea for salvation. First, his imminent danger from inrushing waters and the deep mire like that in which Jeremiah sank. There are also failing strength, the dried throat, and the drooping eyes. Mighty foes, too, who hate wrongfully, are plotting his ruin. The consciousness of sin and the dread that others may be made ashamed through his failure, are also bitter ingredients in his cup. And in addition he bore the reproach of those who hated God. What a combination of misery! In some, though not in all, of these sources of grief, our Savior had a share, and therefore He can be a sympathizing High Priest.
But out of his misery the psalmist builds his altar of prayer. His plea is in God's loving-kindness and tender mercies. Here is the master-argument with God. He can do no other than redeem the soul that clings to Him with such unfaltering faith. It reminds us of the olden resolve, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him," Job 13:15, and also recalls the persistence of the Syrophenician woman, Mark 7:26. Such souls need not fear that they can be cast away. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 69

1  David complains of his affliction
13  He prays for deliverance
22  He devotes his enemies to destruction
30  He praises God with thanksgiving

What do the individual words in Psalms 69:2 mean?

I sink in mire deep and where [there is] no standing I have come into deep waters and where the floods overflow me
טָבַ֤עְתִּי ׀ בִּיוֵ֣ן מְ֭צוּלָה וְאֵ֣ין מָעֳמָ֑ד בָּ֥אתִי בְמַעֲמַקֵּי־ מַ֝֗יִם וְשִׁבֹּ֥לֶת שְׁטָפָֽתְנִי

טָבַ֤עְתִּי ׀  I  sink 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: טָבַע  
Sense: to sink, sink into, sink down, pierce, settle down, drown, be settled, be planted.
בִּיוֵ֣ן  in  mire 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: יָוֵן  
Sense: mire, mirer.
מְ֭צוּלָה  deep 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: מְצֹולָה 
Sense: depth, the deep, the deep sea.
וְאֵ֣ין  and  where  [there  is]  no 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: אַיִן 
Sense: nothing, not, nought n.
מָעֳמָ֑ד  standing 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מָעֳמָד  
Sense: foothold, standing ground.
בָּ֥אתִי  I  have  come 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, first person common singular
Root: בֹּוא 
Sense: to go in, enter, come, go, come in.
בְמַעֲמַקֵּי־  into  deep 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: מַעֲמַקִּים  
Sense: depths.
מַ֝֗יִם  waters 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.
וְשִׁבֹּ֥לֶת  and  where  the  floods 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: שִׁבֹּלֶת 
Sense: flowing stream.
שְׁטָפָֽתְנִי  overflow  me 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person feminine singular, first person common singular
Root: שָׁטַף  
Sense: to wash, rinse, overflow, engulf, rinse or wash off.