O God of my praise, do not be silent. O God of my praiseThis phrase begins with a direct address to God, emphasizing a personal relationship. The Hebrew word for "God" here is "Elohim," which denotes power and might, reflecting the psalmist's recognition of God's supreme authority. The phrase "of my praise" indicates that God is the source and object of the psalmist's worship. Historically, this reflects the deep-seated tradition in Israel of acknowledging God as the ultimate provider and protector, worthy of all adoration. The psalmist's use of "my" personalizes the relationship, suggesting an intimate and individual connection with the divine, which is a cornerstone of conservative Christian belief in a personal God who is actively involved in the lives of His people. do not be silent
The plea for God not to be silent is a cry for divine intervention. The Hebrew root for "silent" is "charash," which can mean to be silent or to be still. In the context of ancient Israel, silence from God could be perceived as a withdrawal of His presence or favor, which was deeply unsettling for the faithful. The psalmist's urgent request reflects a situation of distress or injustice, where God's voice and action are desperately needed. This plea underscores a fundamental belief in the active involvement of God in human affairs, a belief that is central to conservative Christianity. It also highlights the psalmist's faith that God hears and responds to the cries of His people, reinforcing the idea that God is not distant or indifferent but is a present help in times of trouble. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 109, David is expressing a plea to God amidst adversity and false accusations. 2. GodReferred to as the "God of my praise," indicating a personal relationship and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and worthiness of worship. 3. EnemiesThough not directly mentioned in this verse, the context of the psalm involves adversaries who are speaking deceitfully against David. Teaching Points The Importance of PraiseEven in distress, David acknowledges God as the "God of my praise," teaching us to maintain a heart of worship regardless of circumstances. God's Silence and Our FaithWhen God seems silent, it is an opportunity to deepen our faith and trust in His timing and justice. Responding to AdversityDavid's response to his enemies is to turn to God rather than retaliate, setting an example for us to seek divine intervention rather than personal revenge. The Power of PrayerThis verse highlights the importance of prayer as a means of communication with God, especially when facing trials. Trust in God's JusticeDavid's plea is rooted in a belief that God will ultimately bring justice, encouraging us to trust in God's righteous judgment. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's approach to adversity in Psalm 109:1 challenge or affirm your current response to personal conflicts? 2. In what ways can you incorporate praise into your daily life, even when facing difficult situations? 3. Reflect on a time when God seemed silent in your life. How did that experience affect your faith and trust in Him? 4. How can the example of David in Psalm 109:1 and 1 Samuel 24 guide you in dealing with those who wrong you? 5. What steps can you take to ensure that your prayers are aligned with seeking God's justice rather than personal vengeance? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 22Similar to Psalm 109, this psalm is a cry for help amidst suffering and is often seen as a messianic prophecy, connecting David's experiences to those of Christ. 1 Samuel 24David's restraint and reliance on God when he had the opportunity to harm Saul, his enemy, reflects the trust in God’s justice seen in Psalm 109. Romans 12:19This New Testament passage echoes the theme of leaving vengeance to God, aligning with David's plea for God to act on his behalf. People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Chief, Choirmaster, David, Gt, Hold, Leader, Lt, Music, Musician, Music-maker, O, Overseer, Peace, Praise, Prayer, Psalm, Silence, SilentDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 109:1 5950 silence Psalm 109: 5420 music 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 109:1 NIVPsalm 109:1 NLTPsalm 109:1 ESVPsalm 109:1 NASBPsalm 109:1 KJV
Psalm 109:1 Commentaries
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