But You, O GOD, the Lord, deal kindly with me for the sake of Your name; deliver me by the goodness of Your loving devotion. But You, O GOD, my LordThis phrase begins with a direct address to God, emphasizing a personal relationship. The Hebrew word for "GOD" here is "Elohim," which signifies the supreme, all-powerful Creator. "My Lord" translates from "Adonai," a term denoting authority and sovereignty. The psalmist acknowledges God's ultimate authority and power, setting the stage for a plea grounded in humility and reverence. Historically, this reflects the Jewish understanding of God as both transcendent and immanent, a personal deity involved in the lives of His people. deal with me
The phrase "deal with me" is a request for God’s intervention. The Hebrew root "asah" implies action, creation, or making. The psalmist is asking God to actively engage in his life, to shape circumstances according to divine will. This reflects a deep trust in God’s ability to influence and change situations, a common theme throughout the Psalms where believers seek God’s direct involvement in their lives. for Your name’s sake
This phrase appeals to God’s reputation and character. In Hebrew culture, a name was more than a label; it represented the essence and nature of a person. The psalmist is invoking God’s covenant faithfulness and integrity. By asking for action "for Your name’s sake," the psalmist is reminding God of His promises and the need to uphold His own honor and glory. This reflects a deep understanding of God’s unchanging nature and His commitment to His people. because Your loving devotion is good
"Loving devotion" translates from the Hebrew "chesed," a word rich with meaning, encompassing mercy, kindness, and steadfast love. It is a central attribute of God, often associated with His covenantal faithfulness. The psalmist acknowledges that God’s "chesed" is inherently "good," or "tov" in Hebrew, which implies moral goodness, beauty, and pleasantness. This recognition of God’s benevolent character is a source of hope and assurance for the believer. deliver me
The plea for deliverance is a common motif in the Psalms. The Hebrew word "natsal" means to snatch away, rescue, or save. It conveys urgency and desperation, a cry for God’s intervention in dire circumstances. This reflects the psalmist’s reliance on God as the ultimate source of salvation and protection. Historically, this plea would resonate with the Israelites, who often found themselves in need of God’s deliverance from physical and spiritual adversaries. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 109, David is expressing a plea for divine intervention against his adversaries. 2. God (Yahweh)The central figure to whom David directs his plea, emphasizing His sovereignty and loving devotion. 3. EnemiesThough not named, they are the adversaries causing distress to David, prompting his call for God's intervention. Teaching Points God's SovereigntyRecognize that God is in control and can act on our behalf according to His will and purpose. Appeal to God's CharacterWhen in distress, we can appeal to God's nature—His loving devotion and goodness—as the basis for our prayers. Trust in Divine JusticeTrust that God will deliver justice in His time and way, rather than taking matters into our own hands. Prayer as a Response to AdversityUse prayer as a primary response to challenges, seeking God's intervention and deliverance. Living for God's Name's SakeOur actions and prayers should reflect a desire to honor God's name and character. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding God's character as described in Exodus 34:6-7 enhance our trust in His ability to deliver us? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of leaving vengeance to God, as seen in Romans 12:19, in our daily lives? 3. How can we ensure that our prayers, like David's, are aligned with God's will and for His name's sake? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to remind ourselves of God's sovereignty during times of adversity? 5. How can we cultivate a deeper reliance on prayer as our first response to challenges, following David's example in Psalm 109:21? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 23Both psalms highlight God's role as a protector and deliverer, emphasizing His goodness and mercy. Exodus 34:6-7This passage describes God's character, including His loving devotion, which David appeals to in Psalm 109:21. Romans 12:19This New Testament verse echoes the theme of leaving vengeance to God, aligning with David's plea for divine justice. People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Behalf, Danger, Deal, Deliver, Goodness, Kindly, Kindness, Love, Loving, Lovingkindness, Loving-kindness, Mercy, Name's, O, Sake, Sovereign, SteadfastDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 109:21-25 5893 insults 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 109:21 NIVPsalm 109:21 NLTPsalm 109:21 ESVPsalm 109:21 NASBPsalm 109:21 KJV
Psalm 109:21 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
