Which New Testament passages echo themes found in Psalm 69:22? Psalm 69:22 — The Cry for Retribution “May their table become a snare; may it be a retribution and a trap.” Romans 11:9-10 — Direct New-Testament Quotation “And David says: ‘May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution to them; may their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.’ ” • Paul cites the psalm word-for-word to explain Israel’s temporary hardening. • The “table” of blessing (covenantal privileges, Romans 9:4-5) turns into judgment because of unbelief. • This fulfills the psalmist’s imprecatory plea with literal precision, showing God’s faithfulness to both mercy and justice. Additional New-Testament Echoes of the Same Theme • 1 Corinthians 10:21-22 — The Lord’s Table versus the table of demons “You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” – A sacred meal becomes dangerous when approached in compromise, mirroring the psalm’s warning that a table can turn into a trap. • 1 Corinthians 11:27-30 — Judgment at the Table “Anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself… many are weak and sick, and a number have fallen asleep.” – Even the New-Covenant meal brings retribution to the unrepentant, echoing Psalm 69:22’s plea for deserved consequence. • Luke 21:34-35 — The Day of the Lord as a Snare “That day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.” – Jesus uses the same imagery of an unexpected trap falling on the unprepared. • 1 Peter 2:8 — Stumbling by Unbelief “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense… they stumble because they disobey the message.” – The concept of God-given blessing (the Messianic cornerstone) becoming a cause of stumbling parallels the psalm’s reversal of fortune at the “table.” Key Takeaways • Psalm 69:22 finds its literal fulfillment and application in Romans 11:9-10. • The New Testament consistently warns that privileges—especially covenant meals—can become instruments of judgment when received in unbelief. • God’s justice operates the same way in both Testaments: what should nourish the faithful becomes a snare to the rebellious, exactly as Scripture says. |