1 Unto the end. A Psalm of David, in remembrance that the Lord had saved him.
Jerome · AD 420 On the first occasion we nearly perished of hunger and thirst while we were wandering about in the desert [without food] for five days and five nights. On the second occasion we traveled over savage, rugged mountains until our feet were pierced by the stones, and we suffered very great pain and very nearly had to yield up our souls.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 "Save me, O God, for the waters have entered in even unto my soul" [Psalm 69:1]. That grain is despised now, that seems to give forth humble words. In the garden it is buried, though the world will admire the greatness of the herb, of which herb the seed was despised by the Jews.
2 O God, reach out to help me. O Lord, hasten to assist me.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 "Fixed I am in the clay of the deep, and there is no substance." What called the clay? Is it those very persons that have persecuted? For out of clay man hath been made. But these men by falling from righteousness have become the clay of the deep, and whosoever shall not have consented to them persecuting and desiring to draw him to iniquity, out of his clay doth make gold.
3 May those who seek my soul be confounded and awed.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 "I have laboured, crying, hoarse have become my jaws." Where was this? When was this? Let us question the Gospel. For the Passion of our Lord in this Psalm we perceive.
4 May those who wish evils upon me be turned back and blush with shame. May they be turned away immediately, blushing with shame, who say to me: “Well, well.”
John · AD 90 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 Thus "there have been multiplied above the hairs of My head they that hate Me gratis." How multiplied? So as that they might add to themselves even one out of the twelve. "There have been multiplied above the hairs of My head they that hate Me for nought." With the hairs of His head He hath compared His enemies.
Bonaventure · AD 1257 The honor taken from God through pride and disobedience with respect to a thing to which man was bound is in no way better restored than through humiliation and obedience to that thing to which one was in no way obligated.
5 Let all who seek you exult and rejoice in you, and let those who love your salvation forever say: “The Lord be magnified.”
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 "O God, You have known mine improvidence" [Psalm 69:5]. Again out of the mouth of the Body. For what improvidence is there in Christ? Is He not Himself the Virtue of God, and the Wisdom of God? Does He call this His improvidence, whereof the Apostle speaks, "the foolishness of God is wiser than men"?
6 I am truly destitute and poor. O God, assist me. You are my helper and my deliverer. O Lord, do not delay.
Augustine of Hippo · AD 430 "Let them not blush in Me, that wait for Thee, O Lord, Lord of virtues." Again, the voice of the Head, "Let them not blush in Me:" let it not be said to them, Where is He on whom ye were relying? Let it not be said to them, Where is He that was saying to you, Believe ye in God, and in Me believe? "Let them not blush in Me, that wait for Thee," O Lord, Lord of virtues.