King James Version

What Does Psalms 69:24 Mean?

Psalms 69:24 in the King James Version says “Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 69 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.”

Psalms 69:24 · KJV

Context

22

Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.

23

Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.

24

Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.

25

Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents. their habitation: Heb. their palace let none: Heb. let there not be a dweller

26

For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded. those: Heb. thy wounded

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them. This verse intensifies the imprecation, directly calling for divine wrath. "Pour out" (שְׁפָךְ/shefokh) uses imagery of liquid being emptied from a container—sudden, complete, overwhelming. "Thine indignation" (זַעְמֶךָ/za'mekha) is righteous anger at wickedness, not capricious rage but justified wrath against evil. God's indignation is moral response to covenant-breaking, oppression, and unrepentant sin.

"Wrathful anger" (חֲרוֹן אַפֶּךָ/charon apekha) literally means "burning of Your nose"—ancient Hebrew idiom for fierce anger (Exodus 32:12, Deuteronomy 13:17). "Take hold of them" (יַשִּׂיגֵם/yasiggem) suggests pursuing and overtaking fleeing prey. Together, the phrases request that God's holy wrath pursue and overtake the wicked, that justice not be delayed or avoided.

Modern readers often recoil from such language, but it expresses essential theological truth: God's holiness demands justice; sin merits wrath; evil must be judged. The question isn't whether God will judge wickedness but when. These prayers for judgment anticipate final judgment and, from Christian perspective, heighten appreciation for Christ who bore God's poured-out wrath so believers would never face it (Romans 5:9, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Language of divine wrath being "poured out" appears throughout prophetic literature, especially regarding judgment (Jeremiah 10:25, Ezekiel 14:19, 20:8, Hosea 5:10, Zephaniah 3:8). It depicts God's justice as bottled fury that will eventually be released in full measure against unrepentant evil. This isn't divine temper tantrum but moral necessity—God's holy character cannot coexist with unpunished sin.

The plea for God to "pour out" wrath recalls covenant curses in Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28, where persistent covenant-breaking results in escalating judgment culminating in exile and divine abandonment. David, as covenant mediator (anointed king), can invoke these covenant terms in prayer.

Christian theology recognizes Christ as the ultimate focus of poured-out wrath. At the cross, God's indignation against sin was poured out on Christ as substitute (Isaiah 53:10, Romans 3:25). Because wrath was exhausted there, believers will never face it (Romans 8:1).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding God's wrath as moral response to evil rather than capricious rage affect your view of divine justice?
  2. What role do imprecatory prayers play in a world where evil often goes unpunished in this life?
  3. How does Christ bearing God's poured-out wrath at the cross transform these imprecations from terrifying threat to occasion for worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
שְׁפָךְ1 of 6

“Pour out”

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

עֲלֵיהֶ֥ם2 of 6
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

זַעְמֶ֑ךָ3 of 6

“thine indignation”

H2195

strictly froth at the mouth, i.e., (figuratively) fury (especially of god's displeasure with sin)

וַחֲר֥וֹן4 of 6

“upon them and let thy wrathful”

H2740

a burning of anger

אַ֝פְּךָ֗5 of 6

“anger”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

יַשִּׂיגֵֽם׃6 of 6

“take hold”

H5381

to reach (literally or figuratively)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 69:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 69:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 79:6Hosea 5:101 Thessalonians 2:15-16Deuteronomy 29:18-28Luke 21:22Isaiah 13:8

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