For wicked and deceitful mouths open against me; they speak against me with lying tongues. For wicked and deceitful mouthsThe phrase "For wicked and deceitful mouths" introduces the nature of the adversaries that the psalmist, traditionally understood to be David, is facing. The Hebrew word for "wicked" is "רְשָׁעִים" (resha'im), which conveys a sense of moral wrongness and guilt. This term is often used in the Psalms to describe those who are in opposition to God's righteous ways. The word "deceitful" comes from the Hebrew "מִרְמָה" (mirmah), indicating treachery and falsehood. Historically, deceit was a common tactic among enemies, and the psalmist's lament highlights the pain caused by such betrayal. The "mouths" symbolize the source of slander and lies, emphasizing the destructive power of words. They speak against me
The phrase "They speak against me" underscores the personal nature of the attack. The Hebrew verb "דָּבַר" (dabar) means "to speak" and is often used in contexts where speech is a tool for harm or manipulation. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, words held significant power, and speaking against someone could lead to social and spiritual consequences. The psalmist feels the weight of these verbal assaults, which are not just casual remarks but deliberate attempts to harm his reputation and standing. with lying tongues
The phrase "with lying tongues" further elaborates on the nature of the speech used against the psalmist. The Hebrew word for "lying" is "שֶׁקֶר" (sheker), which denotes falsehood and deception. The "tongues" here are metaphorical for the people spreading these lies. In biblical times, a person's word was a reflection of their character, and lying was seen as a direct violation of God's commandments. The psalmist's lament is not just about personal injury but also about the violation of divine law and order. This phrase calls to mind the broader biblical theme of truth versus falsehood, a struggle that is central to the life of faith. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 109, David is expressing his distress over being falsely accused and slandered by his enemies. 2. EnemiesThe unspecified adversaries who are speaking deceitfully against David, representing those who oppose the righteous. 3. GodThe ultimate judge and protector whom David calls upon for justice and vindication. Teaching Points The Power of WordsWords can be used to build up or destroy. As believers, we must be mindful of our speech, ensuring it aligns with truth and love. Responding to SlanderWhen faced with false accusations, we should follow David's example by turning to God in prayer, seeking His justice and protection. Trust in God's JusticeEven when wronged, we can trust that God sees all and will ultimately vindicate the righteous. Guarding Our HeartsWe must be vigilant against allowing bitterness or a desire for revenge to take root, instead leaving judgment to God. The Importance of IntegrityLiving a life of integrity and truthfulness is crucial, as it reflects our commitment to God and His ways. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's response to deceitful speech in Psalm 109:2 serve as a model for handling false accusations in our own lives? 2. In what ways can we ensure our own speech aligns with biblical principles, avoiding the pitfalls of deceit and slander? 3. How do the themes of justice and vindication in Psalm 109:2 connect with other scriptures that discuss God's role as judge? 4. What practical steps can we take to guard our hearts against bitterness when wronged by others' words? 5. How can we support and encourage others who are facing slander or false accusations, drawing from biblical examples and teachings? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 55:21This verse also speaks of deceitful speech, highlighting the theme of betrayal by those who speak with smooth words but harbor malice. Proverbs 6:16-19Lists things the Lord hates, including a lying tongue, which connects to the deceitful speech mentioned in Psalm 109:2. James 3:6Discusses the power of the tongue, emphasizing how words can cause great harm, similar to the lying tongues in Psalm 109:2. People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Deceit, Deceitful, Falsehood, Hatred, Lying, Mouth, Mouths, Open, Opened, Sinner, Speaking, Spoken, Tongue, Tongues, Wicked, WickednessDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 109:2 6147 deceit, practice Psalm 109:1-3 5480 protection Psalm 109:1-5 5951 slander 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 109:2 NIVPsalm 109:2 NLTPsalm 109:2 ESVPsalm 109:2 NASBPsalm 109:2 KJV
Psalm 109:2 Commentaries
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