In Your Abundant Mercy, Answer Me

Part 2 is the heart of Psalm 69 — David's prayer from the depths of shame and persecution. Love for the house of the LORD burns in him to exhaustion, and in his devotion he bears the insults hurled toward Heaven. He weeps and fasts, yet his enemies turn this devotion into mockery; he becomes a byword to the elders in the gate and a song of scorn to drinkers of wine. Yet he does not despair but turns it all into prayer, calling to the LORD in a time of favor.

The central verse, chosen as the name of the song, is:

"But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation."

This is the turning point of the chapter — from the disgrace outside to the prayer within. While others scorn him, David says: all of me is prayer to You; answer me in Your abundant kindness.