May this be the LORD's reward to my accusers, to those who speak evil against me. May this be the LORD’s rewardThis phrase begins with an invocation for divine justice. The Hebrew word for "reward" here is "peʿullah," which can mean recompense or wages. In the context of Psalm 109, a psalm of lament and imprecation, this phrase underscores the psalmist's plea for God to act as a righteous judge. The psalmist is calling upon the LORD, Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God of Israel, to administer justice. This reflects a deep trust in God's sovereignty and His ability to discern and execute perfect justice. Historically, the Israelites often viewed God as the ultimate arbiter of justice, especially in situations where human justice systems failed. to my accusers
The term "accusers" in Hebrew is "שׂוֹטֵן" (soten), which can also be translated as adversaries or enemies. This word is related to "Satan," meaning an opponent or one who withstands. In the context of the psalm, these accusers are those who have wronged the psalmist, possibly through false accusations or betrayal. The psalmist's plea is not just for personal vindication but for divine intervention against those who oppose God's anointed. This reflects a broader biblical theme where God's people often face opposition, yet they are encouraged to trust in God's deliverance and justice. and to those who speak evil against me
The phrase "speak evil" is derived from the Hebrew "דָּבַר רָע" (dabar ra), which means to speak harm or malice. This highlights the power of words and the damage they can inflict. In the ancient Near Eastern context, words were seen as powerful tools that could bless or curse, build up or destroy. The psalmist is acutely aware of the destructive potential of slander and false testimony. This plea for divine recompense is a call for God to address not just physical actions but also the malicious words that have been spoken. It serves as a reminder of the biblical principle that God hears and judges every word, and that He is a refuge for those who are unjustly maligned. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 109, David is expressing a plea for divine justice against his adversaries. 2. AccusersThe individuals who are speaking evil against David, representing those who unjustly accuse and persecute the righteous. 3. The LORDThe divine judge and protector whom David calls upon to deliver justice and recompense to his enemies. Teaching Points Divine JusticeTrust in God's ultimate justice rather than seeking personal vengeance. David's plea is a reminder that God is the righteous judge who will repay evil. Prayer in DistressIn times of persecution or false accusation, turn to God in prayer. David's example shows the importance of seeking God's intervention and support. Guarding the HeartWhile the psalm expresses a desire for justice, believers are called to guard their hearts against bitterness and to pray for their enemies, as taught by Jesus. Faith in God's TimingTrust that God's timing and methods of justice are perfect, even when immediate relief is not apparent. The Power of WordsRecognize the impact of words, both in accusation and in prayer. Use words to build up and seek God's will rather than to tear down. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's plea for divine justice in Psalm 109:20 reflect his relationship with God? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of leaving vengeance to God in our daily lives, as seen in Romans 12:19? 3. How can we reconcile the imprecatory nature of Psalm 109 with Jesus' teaching to love our enemies in Matthew 5:44? 4. What steps can we take to guard our hearts against bitterness when facing false accusations or persecution? 5. How can the example of Christ in 1 Peter 2:23 inspire us to respond to unjust treatment today? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 35Similar themes of seeking divine justice against false accusers and enemies. Romans 12:19The New Testament teaching on leaving vengeance to God, aligning with David's plea for divine intervention. Matthew 5:44Jesus' teaching on loving enemies, providing a contrast to the imprecatory nature of Psalm 109. 1 Peter 2:23Christ's example of entrusting Himself to God who judges justly, paralleling David's reliance on divine justice. People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Accusers, Adversaries, Effect, Evil, Haters, Payment, Reward, Soul, Speak, Speaking, WageDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 109:6-20 6040 sinners Psalm 109:18-20 6115 blame 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 109:20 NIVPsalm 109:20 NLTPsalm 109:20 ESVPsalm 109:20 NASBPsalm 109:20 KJV
Psalm 109:20 Commentaries
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