May his days be few; may another take his position. May his days be fewThis phrase is a plea for the shortening of the life of the wicked. In the Hebrew text, the word for "days" is "יָמָיו" (yamav), which signifies not just the physical days but the entirety of one's life and influence. The psalmist, David, is invoking divine justice against his adversaries, reflecting a common theme in the Psalms where the righteous call upon God to intervene against the wicked. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine retribution, where the longevity of one's life was seen as a blessing from God, and its curtailment as a sign of divine displeasure. This plea is not merely for personal vengeance but is rooted in a desire for God's justice to prevail. may another take his position
The Hebrew word for "position" is "פְּקֻדָּתוֹ" (pekuddato), which can also be translated as "office" or "charge." This phrase is a call for the removal of the wicked from positions of authority and influence, to be replaced by someone more righteous. This reflects a biblical principle seen throughout Scripture, where God raises and removes leaders according to His sovereign will. The historical context of this verse can be linked to the account of Judas Iscariot in the New Testament, where this verse is quoted in Acts 1:20 as a prophecy concerning Judas' betrayal and the subsequent appointment of Matthias as his replacement. This highlights the continuity of God's justice and the fulfillment of His plans across both the Old and New Testaments. The psalmist's prayer is ultimately for the establishment of God's righteous order, where those who lead do so with integrity and in alignment with God's purposes. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of Psalm 109, traditionally believed to be King David, who is expressing a deep cry for justice against his enemies. 2. Enemies of DavidThe individuals or groups who have wronged David, prompting him to seek divine intervention and justice. 3. GodThe ultimate judge and deliverer to whom David directs his plea for justice and vindication. 4. Judas IscariotIn the New Testament, Psalm 109:8 is applied to Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus, during the selection of a new apostle in Acts 1:20. 5. MatthiasThe apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, fulfilling the prayer for another to take his office. Teaching Points Understanding Imprecatory PsalmsImprecatory psalms, like Psalm 109, express a desire for God's justice. They remind us of the reality of evil and the need for divine intervention. God's Sovereignty in JusticeTrust in God's timing and methods for justice. While we may desire immediate retribution, God's plans are perfect and often beyond our understanding. The Role of Prayer in Seeking JusticePrayer is a powerful tool for believers to express their struggles and seek God's will. It is a means to align our desires with God's righteousness. The Consequences of BetrayalJudas' account serves as a cautionary tale about the severe consequences of betrayal and the importance of faithfulness to God. Replacing Evil with GoodJust as Matthias replaced Judas, believers are called to overcome evil with good, seeking to restore and build up rather than destroy. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the context of David's life help us interpret Psalm 109:8? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of seeking God's justice in our own lives when wronged by others? 3. How does the New Testament application of Psalm 109:8 to Judas Iscariot enhance our understanding of the psalm's message? 4. What lessons can we learn from the replacement of Judas with Matthias about God's plan and purpose for leadership and service? 5. How can we balance the desire for justice with the call to love and forgive our enemies, as taught by Jesus in the New Testament? Connections to Other Scriptures Acts 1:20This verse directly quotes Psalm 109:8 in the context of replacing Judas Iscariot, showing the fulfillment of David's imprecatory prayer in the New Testament. Psalm 69Another imprecatory psalm of David, which, like Psalm 109, is also referenced in the New Testament concerning Judas. Matthew 27:3-5The account of Judas' remorse and subsequent death, which indirectly connects to the theme of divine justice and the consequences of betrayal. People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Authority, Charge, Goods, Office, Oversight, Position, Seize, Short, TakethDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 109:6-20 6040 sinners Psalm 109:8-14 5496 revenge, examples 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 109:8 NIVPsalm 109:8 NLTPsalm 109:8 ESVPsalm 109:8 NASBPsalm 109:8 KJV
Psalm 109:8 Commentaries
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