What does Psalm 69:27 mean by "add iniquity to their iniquity"? Canonical Context Psalm 69 is an inspired Davidic lament that simultaneously functions as a Messianic prophecy (cf. John 15:25; 19:28–29). Verses 22-28 form an imprecatory section in which David petitions Yahweh for just retribution upon unrepentant persecutors. Verse 27 reads: “Add iniquity to their iniquity; let them not enter into Your righteousness.” The phrase under study is therefore embedded in a prayer that God will give the wicked precisely what they have persistently chosen—compounded guilt and its consequent judgment. Theological Significance 1. Judicial Hardening: Scripture teaches that persistent rebellion invokes divine hardening (Exodus 9:12; Romans 1:24–28). “Add iniquity to their iniquity” is thus a plea that God ratify their freely chosen sin by withdrawing restraining grace, allowing greater sin and deeper culpability (cf. Psalm 81:11–12). 2. Lex Talionis (Retributive Justice): The request is proportionate, not vindictive. Those who “give me gall for food” (v. 21) are to reap what they sow (Galatians 6:7). 3. Exclusion from Righteousness: The parallel line, “let them not enter into Your righteousness,” mirrors Isaiah 26:10 and Daniel 12:10—only those God declares righteous share covenant blessings. The compounded iniquity results in forfeit of covenant membership. Judicial Hardening in the New Testament Paul cites Psalm 69:22-23 in Romans 11:9-10 to explain Israel’s partial hardening. By quoting David, Paul affirms that God’s present hardening of unbelieving Israel functions like David’s prayer: it is temporary, purposeful, and self-chosen, driving the elect remnant to salvation through Christ while leaving the obstinate under accumulated guilt. Related Biblical Parallels • Genesis 15:16—“the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” • Daniel 8:23—“when the transgressors have reached their fullness.” • Revelation 22:11—“Let the evildoer still do evil…let the righteous still practice righteousness.” These texts share the motif of sin filling up to a divinely determined measure. Historical and Manuscript Witness The Qumran Psalms Scroll (4QPs i) and 11QPs a confirm the verse’s antiquity, matching the Masoretic text word-for-word. Septuagint translators rendered it προσθῶσαν ἁμαρτίαν ἐπὶ τὴν ἁμαρτίαν αὐτῶν, reinforcing the concept of compounded guilt. Such uniformity across Hebrew and Greek texts spanning a millennium attests to providential preservation. Patristic and Rabbinic Commentary • Tertullian (Adv. Marcion III.14) viewed the verse as prophetic of the Jews who rejected Christ, arguing God “added sin” by letting them proceed to the crucifixion, thereby unveiling salvation for the nations. • Midrash Tehillim links the phrase to Pharaoh’s hardening, asserting that God “adds transgression to the transgressor” only after multiple warnings—a rabbinic echo of the same judicial principle. Practical Exhortation The verse warns both believer and skeptic: continued resistance to God can bring a point where sin accelerates beyond self-control. Conversely, 1 John 1:9 promises that confession through Christ cancels accumulated guilt. The only rescue from compounding iniquity is the atoning death and victorious resurrection of Jesus, “who was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification” (Romans 4:25). Summary “Add iniquity to their iniquity” is a petition that God would permit hard-hearted persecutors to plunge further into sin, thereby increasing both their guilt and the inevitability of just judgment. It reflects a consistent biblical doctrine: persistent rebellion invites divine hardening, whereas repentance finds mercy in the covenant-keeping God revealed supremely in the risen Christ. |
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