PSALM SIXTY-NINE

All the prayers of the Psalms which are uttered in the person of Christ as being in hell, are also uttered in the person of the saints, as descending to hell in their mind and heart. Thus “the wicked shall be turned into hell, all the nations that forget God” (Ps. 9:17). For that reason whoever does not die with Christ and descend to hell will never rise and ascend with Him. Therefore he prays here, “Draw Me out, set Me free.” All these are the most earnest prayers also of those who are occupied with meditating on hell, just as they are the prayers of Christ who was literally in hell. Therefore it follows that worldly men, since they live in their own goodness and do not descend to hell with the Lord, but rather ascend to the heavens, will themselves finally descend and not ascend. Thus is it said of the saints in Ps. 107:26: “They mount up to the heavens, and they go down to the depths. Their soul pined away in the evils.” –Martin Luther