The Bible Dept. Podcast – Day 275: Psalms 69–72

Host: Dr. Manny Arango
Date: October 2, 2025

Overview of the Episode

In this episode, Dr. Manny Arango guides listeners through Psalms 69, 70, 71, and 72, marking the close of Book Two in the Book of Psalms. He provides historical and literary context, draws connections to the New Testament, and offers personal reflections and practical application (timeless truths) from each Psalm. The episode highlights themes such as lament, worship, generational faithfulness, and the dual nature of prosperity as both a potential blessing and a danger.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Contextual Overview of Psalms 69–72

• Psalm 69: Individual lament of David. Exact circumstances unknown, but themes of suffering and injustice are prominent. (01:58)
• Psalm 70: Another individual lament, also classified as a "memorial offering" psalm, referencing sacrificial practices from Leviticus. (02:27)
• Psalm 71: An individual lament believed to be written by an unnamed old man, focusing on God's lifelong faithfulness.
• Psalm 72: The only Psalm attributed to Solomon, considered a royal and messianic psalm—praying for the king's reign, with deeper messianic overtones. (04:44)

2. Nerdy Nuggets & Literary Connections

Psalm 69 and the New Testament (05:33)

• Cited three times in the New Testament.

• Quote:

  • “For zeal for your house has consumed me...” (Psalm 69:9)
    • Quoted in John 2:17 when Jesus clears the temple.
    • “John sees this as David prophesying through this psalm about the Son of Yahweh.” (06:39)
  • “And the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me...”
    • Referenced in Romans 15:3 to illustrate Jesus bearing the burdens of others.

• Another quote:

  • “And for my thirst, they gave me sour wine to drink.” (Psalm 69:21)
    • Cited in all four Gospels during Jesus' crucifixion (Mark 15:23, Matthew 27:48, Luke 23:36, John 19:29) (07:34)

• Insight:

  • David serves as a “type and shadow of Jesus” (08:28), forming the spiritual and royal archetype for the coming Messiah.

• Congregational Worship

  • Psalm 69 shifts from individual lament to a corporate voice at the end, inviting collective praise (08:49).

Psalm 70’s Tie to Memorial Offerings and the Poor

• The phrase “memorial offering” connects to the Levitical sacrificial system, often involving a grain offering when the petitioner was too poor for an animal sacrifice.

  • “But I am poor and needy...” (Psalm 70:5) (09:43)

• Quote:

  • “God allows poor people, people who are truly impoverished, to have an option so they could be included in the sacrifice.” (11:15)

• Insight:

  • This Psalm highlights God’s inclusivity and care for all, not just the wealthy or powerful.

David’s Revolutionary Perspective on Worship

• David anticipates a day when worship transcends physical sacrifices.
  • “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox...” (Psalm 69:30–31) (11:50)
• Reflection:
  • “David knows, like, the blood of lambs and bulls and goats don’t actually appease God... what really pleases God is worship.” (12:33)
  • This perspective provides insight into why David is called "a man after God's own heart." (12:59)

Psalm 71: Enduring and Generational Faithfulness

• Authored by an elderly man reflecting on lifelong worship.
  • “Do not cast me away when I am old…” (Psalm 71:9), emphasizing continued devotion into old age.
  • “I want to be the old guy from Psalm 71… telling of God’s works to the next generation.” (14:16)
• Intergenerational worship and “not letting the emotional part of our relationship with the Lord… get stale.” (14:22)

Psalm 72: Royal Prosperity and Messianic Hope

• Celebrates Solomon’s reign but reminds us the “real king” is Yahweh. (16:34)

• Written likely for Solomon's succession or his son’s coronation.

• Clarifies the confusing verse 20: it marks the end of Book Two, not the authorship of the psalm. (17:56)

• Description of the Golden Age: (18:09)

  • “May he have dominion from sea to sea... may all kings fall down before him…” (Psalm 72:8-11)

• Israel’s glory is portrayed both poetically here and negatively in 1 Kings, illustrating the need to “hold two truths in tension.”

• Quote:

  • “It is not the wealth, the fame, the success… that bring downfall. It’s not large churches or mega churches or book deals that bring a moral failure to a pastor…” (21:29)

• Key Insight:

  • “Wealth is always a neutral tool. It could be a hammer that builds the life that God wants you to build, or it could be a sledgehammer that demolishes… the opportunity of walking in the life that God has for you.” (22:14, 24:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Scripture’s Relevance:
  “These videos are designed to help you to understand the book that we’ve been given by God called the Bible, and understand the author of said book.” (01:20)

• On New Testament Fulfillment:
  “John sees this as David prophesying through this psalm about the Son of Yahweh.” (06:39)

• Practical Application:
  “God allows poor people, people who are truly impoverished, to have an option so they could be included in the sacrifice. I think that’s just absolutely incredible.” (11:15)

• Worship vs. Sacrifice:
  “It’s almost like… David knows… the blood of lambs and bulls and goats don’t actually appease God. They appease our guilt, but they don’t appease God.” (12:03)

• On Generational Faithfulness:
  “I want to be an old man… skipping and laughing and dancing and praising and singing, like… telling of God’s works to the next generation.” (14:16)

• Wealth and Its Use:
  “Wealth is always a neutral tool… you add positivity or negativity to it by the way you engage with it.” (24:18)

Important Timestamps

• [01:58] – Overview of content and context for each Psalm (69-72)
• [05:33] – “Nerdy nuggets” on Psalm 69’s New Testament references
• [09:43] – Connection between Psalm 70 and memorial offerings
• [11:50] – David’s view of worship versus sacrifice in Psalm 69
• [13:47] – The aged psalmist’s plea for enduring faithfulness in Psalm 71
• [16:34] – Psalm 72 as a royal, messianic psalm and its double-layered meaning
• [17:56] – Explanation of Psalm 72:20 and Book Two’s conclusion
• [21:29], [24:18] – Wealth, success, and the importance of motives and heart

Timeless Truths (Practical Application)

• Devotion Pleases God Most: Sincere worship and thanksgiving matter more to God than ritual sacrifices.
• God Includes Everyone: The sacrificial system made a way for both rich and poor to participate—illustrating God’s heart for inclusion.
• Lasting Faith: Lifelong, cross-generational faith is awe-inspiring and should be celebrated and pursued.
• Tension of Prosperity: Wealth, success, and influence are neutral; their goodness or danger lies entirely in how one stewards them and the heart posture behind them.

Conclusion

Dr. Manny wraps up Book Two of Psalms by reinforcing the tension between biblical narratives: embracing both the beauty and the risk of blessing, and holding space for rich and poor, old and young, in God’s story. He invites listeners to approach Scripture deeply and contextually, ready to be transformed by timeless truths for everyday life.

Next Episode: Psalms 73–75 (Book Three begins!)