To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.

PSALMS 69:1KJV
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Psalms 69:1 (KJV)

What does Psalms 69:1 mean?

Psalms 69:1 opens with a desperate appeal to God for rescue. The speaker uses the picture of rising water to describe trouble that has reached so deeply into his life that he feels in danger of being overwhelmed.

The heading presents the song as “A Psalm of David” and gives a direction to the chief musician. The water image introduces the more detailed picture of sinking in deep mud and being swept over by a flood in verse 2.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 69:1

  • “soul” — נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh): This word can mean a person’s life or whole self. Here, the waters reaching the speaker’s “soul” picture danger reaching his very life, not merely his feelings.
  • “Shoshannim” — שׁוֹשַׁנִּים (shoshannim): This word means “lilies.” In the heading, it is often understood as a musical direction, perhaps naming a tune.

Why Psalms 69:1 matters

  • The cry is addressed directly to God. “Save me, O God” makes the opening a personal request, rather than a report told to an audience about trouble.
  • The danger feels immediate. “The waters are come in” pictures the threat as already upon the speaker, a sense that continues in the deep-water imagery of verse 2.
  • The heading places the cry in a song meant for a musician. The words of distress are also presented as words to be performed.

Where else these words appear

“Shoshannim” Hebrew H7799 · used in 15 verses

  • 1 Kings 7:19 And the chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily work in the porch, four cubits.
  • Psalms 45:1 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
  • Song of Solomon 5:13 His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.

“Musician” Hebrew H5329 · used in 65 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 15:21 And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps on the Sheminith to excel.
  • Psalms 22:1 To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
  • Psalms 60:1 To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.