Psalms 69:21 Meaning and Explanation
“They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Enemies add mockery and cruelty to the psalmist's affliction by denying him basic sustenance.
The Context of Psalms 69:21
Enemies compound affliction with mockery by offering sustenance that is poisonous and bitter.
What Does Psalms 69:21 Mean?
Gall is bitter poison, wholly inedible; vinegar is sour and sharp. Instead of food and drink for sustenance, the psalmist is offered only bitterness and sourness. This is cruelty disguised as generosity—offering what appears to be hospitality but delivers only poison.
The specificity of gall and vinegar shows deliberate malice. Enemies do not merely refuse help; they actively mock and torment by offering the opposite of nourishment. This compounds the physical weakness of his suffering with deliberate psychological cruelty.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 69:21
What does Psalms 69:21 mean?
Enemies add mockery and cruelty to the psalmist's affliction by denying him basic sustenance.
What is the context of Psalms 69:21?
Enemies compound affliction with mockery by offering sustenance that is poisonous and bitter.