Psalms 69:21They also gave me gall for my food. In my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink.
The setting
Ancient Israel, ~1000 BC. David recalls moments when people pretended to help but gave him poison instead of food, acid instead of water. This speaks of calculated cruelty disguised as kindness. Modern location: Judean Desert, Israel/Palestine.
The emotion here: shocked by the calculated cruelty of those who pretended to care
The original word
ro'sh (רֹאשׁ) — bitter poison, specifically from the wormwood plant that causes severe illness
Why it matters
Giving someone gall instead of food was considered the ultimate act of betrayal - pretending to help while actually poisoning
Read with care
What most readers miss in Psalms 69:21
This describes fake help that makes things worse - they offered 'food' and 'drink' but both were harmful
Common misconceptionPeople think this is about literal food poisoning, but it's a metaphor for psychological betrayal - when people pretend to help but actually make your suffering worse.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Psalms 69:21
Bible Genome reading
Psalms 69:21 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Psalms 69:21 comes from the book of Psalms, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to David. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 80% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the psalm genre of biblical literature. Key themes include cruelty, mockery, messianic prophecy, human evil. Notable phrases: They gave me gall for my food; In my thirst, they gave me vinegar to drink. This verse is a prayer. This verse contains prophecy.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does Psalms 69:21 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "grieving"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.