Psalms 69:4 Meaning and Explanation
“They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Enemies outnumber the psalmist and hate him unjustly, yet he has restored what he did not steal.
The Context of Psalms 69:4
Innocent persecution from irrational enemies defines the psalmist's predicament.
What Does Psalms 69:4 Mean?
The psalmist's enemies hate him without cause—meaning their hatred is irrational and undeserved. Their number exceeds the hairs on his head (an expression of overwhelming multitude), and they actively seek his destruction despite their enmity being groundless.
The final clause reveals innocence: the psalmist has restored things he did not take. He is upright even as enemies pursue him, establishing that his suffering is not punishment for wrongdoing but affliction from those who oppose him unjustly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 69:4
What does Psalms 69:4 mean?
Enemies outnumber the psalmist and hate him unjustly, yet he has restored what he did not steal.
What is the context of Psalms 69:4?
Innocent persecution from irrational enemies defines the psalmist's predicament.