Psalms109
English Standard Version
Tap any underlined word for the original Hebrew or Greek.
1 To the . A of . Be , O of my !
2 and are me, against me with .
3 They me with of , and me .
4 In for my they me, but give myself to .
5 So they , and my .
6 a him; let an his .
7 When he is , let him come ; let his be counted as !
8 May his be ; may his !
9 May his be and his a !
10 May his and , food far the ruins they !
11 May the that he has; may the fruits of his !
12 Let there be to to him, any to his !
13 May his be ; may his be in the !
14 May the of his be before the Lord, and let the of his be !
15 Let them be the Lord , that he may the of them the !
16 he did to , but the and and the , to put them to .
17 He to ; let curses upon him! He did in ; may it be him!
18 He himself with as his ; may it into his like , like into his !
19 May it be like a that he wraps , like a that he every !
20 May be the of my the Lord, of those who my !
21 But you, O God my , on my behalf for your ; your is , me!
22 I am and , and my is me.
23 I am like a at ; I am like a .
24 My are ; my has , with .
25 am an object of to my accusers; when they me, they their .
26 me, O Lord my ! me according to your !
27 Let them is your ; you, O Lord, have it!
28 Let them , but you will ! They and are , but your will be !
29 May my be with ; may they be in their own as in a !
30 With my I will to the Lord; I will him in the of the .
31 he at the of the , to him those who his to death.
Study
Psalms 109Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 109. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: David complains of his enemies. (1–5). He prophesies their destruction. (6–20). Prayers and praises. (21–31).
vv1-5
It is the unspeakable comfort of all believers, that whoever is against them, God is for them; and to him they may apply as to one pleased to concern himself for them. David's enemies laughed at him for his devotion, but they could not laugh him out of it.
vv6-20
The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and misery upon their posterity: it is sin, that mischievous, destructive thing. And what will be the effect of the sentence, “Go, ye cursed,” upon the bodies and souls of the wicked! How it will affect the senses of the body, and the powers of the soul, with pain, anguish, horror, and despair! Think on these things, sinners, tremble and repent.
vv21-31
The psalmist takes God's comforts to himself, but in a very humble manner. He was troubled in mind. His body was wasted, and almost worn away. But it is better to have leanness in the body, while the soul prospers and is in health, than to have leanness in the soul, while the body is feasted. He was ridiculed and reproached by his enemies. But if God bless us, we need not care who curses us; for how can they curse whom God has not cursed; nay, whom he has blessed? He pleads God's glory, and the honour of his name. Save me, not according to my merit, for I pretend to none, but according to thy-mercy. He concludes with the joy of faith, in assurance that his present conflicts would end in triumphs. Let all that suffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their souls to him. Jesus, unjustly put to death, and now risen again, is an Advocate and Intercessor for his people, ever ready to appear on their behalf against a corrupt world, and the great accuser.
Key Words
נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
אַל: not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
חָרַשׁ: to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad sense); hence (from the idea of secrecy) to be silent, to let alone; hence (by implication) to be deaf (as an accompaniment of dumbness)
אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
תְּהִלָּה: laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn
כִּי: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
רָשָׁע: morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
מִרְמָה: fraud
Cross References
Psalms 109Directly cited by Peter as fulfilled in Judas Iscariot losing his apostolic office.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Satan standing at the right hand of the accused as the official adversary and accuser.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Jesus applies David's words ('hated me without a cause') directly to His own experience.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The proverb condemning those who reward evil for good, mirroring David's specific complaint.
Supported by JFB
Explicitly quotes the Greek equivalent of 'let another take his office' regarding Judas.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
While adversaries attack, David prays; Christ perfectly typifies this by praying for His executioners.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Satan entering Judas, matching the judgment of letting Satan stand at his right hand.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Judas's violent death, where his bowels gushed out, matches the curse entering his bowels.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the Messianic suffering of being a reproach and having onlookers shake their heads.
Supported by JFB
David's recurring complaint of being rewarded evil for good, seeking refuge in prayer.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The proverbial parallel of a wicked man's prayer being treated as an abomination or sin.
Supported by Matthew Henry
David's practice of fasting and prayer in times of intense adversity and betrayal.
Supported by Matthew Poole
David's response to Shimei's cursing, trusting that the Lord will bless him instead.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Contrast: Satan stands at the wicked's right hand (v6), but God stands at David's.
Supported by JFB