May their sins always remain before the LORD, that He may cut off their memory from the earth. May their sinsThe Hebrew word for "sins" here is "חַטָּאָה" (chattā'â), which often refers to offenses or transgressions against God's law. In the context of Psalm 109, a psalm of imprecation, David is calling upon God to remember the wrongdoings of his enemies. This plea is not merely for personal vengeance but reflects a deep desire for divine justice. Theologically, it underscores the seriousness of sin and the belief that unrepentant sin remains in the sight of God, demanding accountability. always remain before the LORD
The phrase "before the LORD" (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, liphnei YHWH) signifies being in the presence of God, who is omniscient and omnipresent. The idea of sins remaining "always" before God suggests a perpetual awareness and acknowledgment by God of these transgressions. Historically, this reflects the ancient Israelite understanding of God's holiness and justice, where nothing is hidden from His sight. It serves as a sobering reminder that God is aware of all actions and that His justice is inevitable. that He may cut off
The Hebrew verb "כָּרַת" (karath) means to cut off or destroy. In the biblical context, being "cut off" often implies a severe form of divine judgment, sometimes resulting in death or the end of one's lineage. This reflects the covenantal language found throughout the Old Testament, where disobedience to God could lead to being cut off from the community of Israel. It emphasizes the gravity of sin and the ultimate consequence of being separated from God's people and His blessings. their memory from the earth
The concept of "memory" (זֵכֶר, zeker) in Hebrew culture is significant, as it pertains to one's legacy and continued presence through descendants and remembrance by others. To have one's memory cut off from the earth is to be utterly forgotten, a fate considered worse than death in ancient times. This phrase highlights the psalmist's plea for complete divine retribution against his enemies, ensuring that their influence and legacy are entirely erased. It serves as a stark warning of the consequences of living in opposition to God's will, reinforcing the biblical theme that the wicked will not endure. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 109, David is expressing a deep lament and imprecation against his enemies. 2. Enemies of DavidThe psalm is directed towards those who have wronged David, possibly including individuals like Saul or other adversaries during his reign. 3. The LORDThe central figure to whom David directs his plea, seeking divine justice and intervention. 4. IsraelThe nation over which David ruled, often facing external and internal threats. 5. Imprecatory PsalmsPsalm 109 is part of a group of psalms known for their calls for divine judgment against enemies. Teaching Points The Seriousness of SinSin has lasting consequences, and unrepentant sin can lead to divine judgment. The Role of Imprecatory PrayerWhile difficult, these prayers reflect a deep trust in God's justice and sovereignty. God's Justice and MercyGod is just and will remember the sins of the unrepentant, but He is also merciful to those who seek forgiveness. The Importance of Righteous LivingLiving righteously ensures that our memory is a blessing rather than a curse. Trusting God with Our EnemiesWe are called to leave vengeance to God and trust Him to deal with those who wrong us. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the context of David's life help us interpret Psalm 109:15? 2. In what ways can we reconcile the harsh language of imprecatory psalms with the teachings of Jesus on loving our enemies? 3. How does the concept of sin being remembered or blotted out appear in other parts of the Bible, and what does it teach us about God's character? 4. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our lives leave a positive legacy rather than a negative one? 5. How can we apply the principle of trusting God with our enemies in our daily lives, especially in situations of conflict or injustice? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 32:32-33This passage discusses the concept of sin being remembered or blotted out, similar to the plea in Psalm 109:15 for sins to remain before the LORD. Proverbs 10:7Contrasts the memory of the righteous with the name of the wicked, which aligns with the desire in Psalm 109:15 for the wicked's memory to be cut off. Revelation 20:12Talks about the books being opened and the dead being judged according to their deeds, echoing the theme of divine remembrance and judgment. People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Always, Continually, Cut, Cutteth, Memorial, MemoryDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 109:6-20 6040 sinners Library Psalm. Cix. 21. ; Micah, vi. 9
Psalm. cix. 21.; Micah, vi. 9. Sweet is Thy mercy, O my God! When humbled at Thy feet, I learn the lessons of Thy rod, Thy mercy, Lord, is sweet. For Thou dost not in wrath chastise, But when I go astray, "Return," a voice behind me cries, "Walk here;--this is the way." Impatient of Thine easy yoke, If heedless yet I roam, Some sharp affliction, with a stroke Of kindness, warns me home. That godly sorrow then I feel, Which nothing can control, Until the hand that wounded, heal, That bruised me, …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and HymnsIf Anyone Shall Say that Jesus as Man is Only Energized by the Word Of...
If anyone shall say that Jesus as man is only energized by the Word of God, and that the glory of the Only-begotten is attributed to him as something not properly his: let him be anathema. Notes. Nestorius. VII. If any one says that the man who was formed of the Virgin is the Only-begotten, who was born from the bosom of the Father, before the morning star was (Ps. cix., 3) [256] , and does not rather confess that he has obtained the designation of Only-begotten on account of his connection with …
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils First Antiphon and Psalm
Third Tone (a ending) Chanter Dum esset rex Choir in accubitu suo, nardus mea dedit odorem suavitatis. Alleluia. Dixit Dominus (Psalm 109) 1. Dixit Dominus, Domino meo: Sede a dextris meis: 2. Donec ponam inimicos tuos, scabellum pedum tuorum. 3. Virgam virtutis tuae emitte Dominus ex Sion: dominare in medio inimicorum tuorem. 4. Tecum principium in die virtutis tuae in splendoribus sanctorum: ex utero ante luciferum genui te. 5. Juravit Dominus, et non paenitebit eum: Tu es sacerdos in aeternum …
Various—The St. Gregory Hymnal and Catholic Choir Book Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Fourteenth Day. Endurance in Contradiction.
"Who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself."-- Heb. xii. 3. What endurance was this! Perfect truth in the midst of error; perfect love in the midst of ingratitude and coldness; perfect rectitude in the midst of perjury, violence, fraud; perfect constancy in the midst of contumely and desertion; perfect innocence, confronting every debased form of depravity and guilt; perfect patience, encountering every species of gross provocation--"oppressed and afflicted, He opened not His mouth!" …
John R. Macduff—The Mind of Jesus Ninth Day for God's Spirit on Our Mission Work
WHAT TO PRAY.--For God's Spirit on our Mission Work "The evangelisation of the world depends first of all upon a revival of prayer. Deeper than the need for men--ay, deep down at the bottom of our spiritless life, is the need for the forgotten secret of prevailing, world-wide prayer." "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul. Then when they had fasted and prayed, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed."--ACTS …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession Bunsen's Biblical Researches.
When geologists began to ask whether changes in the earth's structure might be explained by causes still in operation, they did not disprove the possibility of great convulsions, but they lessened necessity for imagining them. So, if a theologian has his eyes opened to the Divine energy as continuous and omnipresent, he lessens the sharp contrast of epochs in Revelation, but need not assume that the stream has never varied in its flow. Devotion raises time present into the sacredness of the past; …
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World A Discourse of Mercifulness
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 These verses, like the stairs of Solomon's temple, cause our ascent to the holy of holies. We are now mounting up a step higher. Blessed are the merciful . . '. There was never more need to preach of mercifulness than in these unmerciful times wherein we live. It is reported in the life of Chrysostom that he preached much on this subject of mercifulness, and for his much pressing Christians to mercy, he was called of many, the alms-preacher, …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 How Intent the Ruler Ought to be on Meditations in the Sacred Law.
But all this is duly executed by a ruler, if, inspired by the spirit of heavenly fear and love, he meditate daily on the precepts of Sacred Writ, that the words of Divine admonition may restore in him the power of solicitude and of provident circumspection with regard to the celestial life, which familiar intercourse with men continually destroys; and that one who is drawn to oldness of life by secular society may by the aspiration of compunction be ever renewed to love of the spiritual country. …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Water of Life;
OR, A DISCOURSE SHOWING THE RICHNESS AND GLORY OF THE GRACE AND SPIRIT OF THE GOSPEL, AS SET FORTH IN SCRIPTURE BY THIS TERM, THE WATER OF LIFE. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.'--Revelation 22:17 London: Printed for Nathanael Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1688. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Often, and in every age, the children of God have dared to doubt the sufficiency of divine grace; whether it was vast enough to reach their condition--to cleanse …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 109:15 NIVPsalm 109:15 NLTPsalm 109:15 ESVPsalm 109:15 NASBPsalm 109:15 KJV
Psalm 109:15 Commentaries
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