In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. In return for my loveThis phrase highlights the psalmist's experience of betrayal and ingratitude. The Hebrew word for "love" here is "אַהֲבָה" (ahavah), which denotes a deep, abiding affection and commitment. In the context of ancient Israel, love was not merely an emotion but an action, often demonstrated through covenantal faithfulness. The psalmist's lament reflects a profound sense of injustice, as his genuine love and goodwill are met with hostility. This mirrors the experience of Christ, who, despite His perfect love, faced rejection and animosity. they accuse me
The Hebrew root for "accuse" is "שָׂטַן" (satan), which means to oppose or act as an adversary. This word is also the root for the name "Satan," the ultimate accuser. In the biblical narrative, false accusations are a common tool of the enemy to undermine the righteous. The psalmist's plight is emblematic of the spiritual warfare faced by believers, where accusations, whether true or false, are used to sow discord and doubt. This serves as a reminder of the believer's call to stand firm in truth and righteousness, even amidst slander. but I am a man of prayer
The phrase "a man of prayer" underscores the psalmist's reliance on God amidst adversity. The Hebrew word for prayer, "תְּפִלָּה" (tefillah), conveys a sense of intercession, supplication, and communion with God. In the historical context, prayer was the lifeline of the faithful, a means of seeking divine intervention and expressing trust in God's sovereignty. The psalmist's commitment to prayer, despite being wronged, exemplifies the Christian call to respond to persecution with faith and perseverance. It echoes the teachings of Jesus, who instructed His followers to pray for their enemies and trust in God's justice. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 109, David is expressing his distress over being wronged by those he has shown love to. 2. EnemiesThe individuals or groups who have falsely accused and opposed David despite his love and goodwill towards them. 3. PrayerA central theme in this verse, highlighting David's response to adversity and false accusations. Teaching Points Responding with PrayerWhen faced with false accusations or mistreatment, our first response should be to turn to God in prayer, seeking His guidance and strength. Love in ActionTrue love persists even when it is not reciprocated. David's love for his accusers, despite their betrayal, is a model for us to follow. Trust in God's JusticeInstead of seeking personal vengeance, trust that God sees the injustice and will act in His perfect timing. The Power of PrayerPrayer is not just a reaction but a proactive stance that aligns our hearts with God's will and brings peace amidst turmoil. Endurance in FaithMaintaining a prayerful attitude in adversity strengthens our faith and witness to others. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's response to his accusers in Psalm 109:4 challenge our natural inclinations when wronged? 2. In what ways can we incorporate prayer into our daily lives as a response to conflict or false accusations? 3. How does the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5:44 relate to David's example in this verse? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to show love to those who oppose us, as David did? 5. How can trusting in God's justice, as seen in this Psalm, change our perspective on personal grievances and conflicts? Connections to Other Scriptures Matthew 5:44Jesus teaches to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, echoing David's response of prayer in the face of false accusations. 1 Peter 3:9Encourages believers not to repay evil with evil but with blessing, aligning with David's approach of responding with prayer. Romans 12:21Advises overcoming evil with good, which is exemplified by David's choice to pray rather than retaliate. People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Accuse, Accusers, Act, Adversaries, Friendship, Hate, Love, Myself, Oppose, Prayer, ReturnDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 109:4 8618 prayerfulness Psalm 109:1-5 5951 slander Psalm 109:3-5 5875 hatred 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 109:4 NIVPsalm 109:4 NLTPsalm 109:4 ESVPsalm 109:4 NASBPsalm 109:4 KJV
Psalm 109:4 Commentaries
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