Psalms 109 summary

Whether David penned this psalm when he was persecuted by Saul, or when his son Absalom rebelled against him, or upon occasion of some other trouble that was given him, is uncertain; and whether the particular enemy he prays against was Saul, or Doeg, or Ahithophel, or some other not mentioned in the story, we cannot determine; but it is certain that in penning it he had an eye to Christ, his sufferings and his persecutors, for that imprecation (Psa 109:8) is applied to Judas, Act 1:20. The rest of the prayers here against his enemies were the expressions, not of passion, but of the Spirit of prophecy. I. He lodges a complaint in the court of heaven of the malice and base ingratitude of his enemies and with it an appeal to the righteous God (Psa 109:1-5). II. He prays against his enemies, and devotes them to destruction (Psa 109:6-20). III. He prays for himself, that God would help and succour him in his low condition (Psa 109:21-29). IV. He concludes with a joyful expectation that God would appear for him (Psa 109:30, Psa 109:31). In singing this psalm we must comfort ourselves with the believing foresight of the certain destruction of all the enemies of Christ and his church, and the certain salvation of all those that trust in God and keep close to him. To the chief Musician. A psalm of David.

Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).

1 To him that excelleth. A Psalme of David. Holde not thy tongue, O God of my praise.

2 For the mouth of the wicked, and the mouth full of deceite are opened vpon me: they haue spoken to me with a lying tongue.

3 They compassed me about also with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause.

4 For my friendship they were mine aduersaries, but I gaue my selfe to praier.

5 And they haue rewarded me euil for good, and hatred for my friendship.

6 Set thou the wicked ouer him, and let the aduersarie stand at his right hand.

7 Whe he shalbe iudged, let him be condemned, and let his praier be turned into sinne.

8 Let his daies be fewe, and let another take his charge.

9 Let his children be fatherlesse, and his wife a widowe.

10 Let his children be vagabonds and beg and seeke bread, comming out of their places destroyed.

11 Let the extortioner catch al that he hath, and let the strangers spoile his labour.

12 Let there be none to extend mercie vnto him: neither let there be any to shewe mercie vpon his fatherlesse children.

13 Let his posteritie be destroied, and in the generation following let their name be put out.

14 Let the iniquitie of his fathers bee had in remembrance with the Lord: and let not the sinne of his mother be done away.

15 But let them alway be before the Lord, that he may cut off their memorial from ye earth.

16 Because he remembred not to shew mercie, but persecuted the afflicted and poore man, and the sorowfull hearted to slay him.

17 As he loued cursing, so shall it come vnto him, and as he loued not blessing, so shall it be farre from him.

18 As he clothed himselfe with cursing like a rayment, so shall it come into his bowels like water, and like oyle into his bones.

19 Let it be vnto him as a garment to couer him, and for a girdle, wherewith he shalbe alway girded.

20 Let this be the rewarde of mine aduersarie from the Lord, and of them, that speake euill against my soule.

21 But thou, O Lord my God, deale with me according vnto thy Name: deliuer me, (for thy mercie is good)

22 Because I am poore and needie, and mine heart is wounded within me.

23 I depart like the shadowe that declineth, and am shaken off as the grashopper.

24 My knees are weake through fasting, and my flesh hath lost all fatnes.

25 I became also a rebuke vnto them: they that looked vpon me, shaked their heads.

26 Helpe me, O Lord my God: saue me according to thy mercie.

27 And they shall know, that this is thine hand, and that thou, Lord, hast done it.

28 Though they curse, yet thou wilt blesse: they shall arise and be confounded, but thy seruant shall reioyce.

29 Let mine aduersaries be clothed with shame, and let them couer themselues with their confusion, as with a cloke.

30 I will giue thankes vnto the Lord greatly with my mouth and praise him among ye multitude.

31 For he will stand at the right hand of the poore, to saue him from them that woulde condemne his soule.