Psalms 69:27 (KJV)

What does Psalms 69:27 mean?

Psalms 69:27 is a plea from the psalmist asking God to let the wrongdoing of his enemies pile up and not allow them to be counted among the righteous. The verse expresses a desire that those who have done harm should not find favor or acceptance in God’s sight.

The speaker is David, who is praying in distress because of severe opposition and mistreatment from others. In this part of the psalm, David asks God to let the guilt of his enemies increase, using strong language to show how deeply he feels the injustice. The verse is part of a larger section where David calls for God’s justice against those who have wronged him, reflecting both his pain and his trust that God will set things right.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 69:27

• "Add" (נָתַן, natan): This word means "to give" or "to add." Here, it carries the sense of letting more guilt be added to what already exists, emphasizing the piling up of wrongdoing.
• "Iniquity" (עָוֹן, avon): Used twice, this word refers to guilt, wrongdoing, or moral fault. The repetition highlights the seriousness of the offenses and the desire that their guilt not be overlooked.
• "Come" (בּוֹא, bo): This word means "to enter" or "to come." The psalmist asks that the enemies not be allowed to enter into God’s righteousness, meaning they should not be counted among those who are right with God.
• "Righteousness" (צְדָקָה, tsedaqah): This word refers to what is right, just, or morally upright. The verse asks that the enemies not be included in the group of people who are seen as righteous by God.

Why Psalms 69:27 matters

• Psalms 69:27 shows how raw and honest biblical prayers can be, especially when someone feels deeply wronged and seeks justice from God.
• The verse highlights the seriousness of wrongdoing and the idea that persistent guilt can separate a person from being counted among the righteous.
• Understanding this verse helps clarify the emotional intensity of the psalm and the depth of David’s trust that God will ultimately judge fairly, even when human justice fails.