King James Version
Psalms 109
31 verses with commentary
Help Me, O Lord My God
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;
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KJV Study Commentary
"Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise." This opening petition <em>Elohei tehilati al techaresh</em> (God of my praise, do not be silent) appeals to God to speak and act. <em>Tehilah</em> (praise) is the root of <em>Tehillim</em> (Psalms, literally "praises")—even in distress, the psalmist identifies God as object of praise. <em>Charash</em> (be silent/keep quiet) can indicate either literal sile...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **God of my praise.**—That is, God to whom as covenant God it was a privilege to make *tehillah. *(See Deuteronomy 10:20-21, where Jehovah is said to be “the praise” of those who “swear by His name.” Comp. also Psalm 106:2-3, and Note, and Psalm 33:1. Perhaps *“*God of my glory or boast” would more nearly give the force of the original. The psalmist prays that Jehovah’s silence may not make hi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**66. And he smote ... part--**or, "struck His enemies' back." The Philistines never regained their position after their defeats by David.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 109
Chapter Outline
David complains of his enemies.(1-5)
He prophesies their destruction.(6-20)
Prayers and praises.(21-31)
**Verses 1-5**
It is the unspeakable comfort of all believers, that whoever is against them, God is for them; and to him they may apply as to one pleased to concern himself for them. David's enemies laughed at him for his devotion, but they could...
Read full commentary →For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. of the deceitful: Heb. of deceit are opened: Heb. have opened themselves
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me</strong>—The Hebrew פִּי רָשָׁע וּפִי־מִרְמָה (<em>pi rasha ufi-mirmah</em>) emphasizes dual sources of opposition: the openly wicked and the deliberately deceptive. David faces coordinated slander, not isolated criticism. <strong>They have spoken against me with a lying tongue</strong> (לְשׁוֹן שֶׁקֶר, <em>le...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Of** **the deceitful.**—Properly, as in margin, *of deceit; *consequently, to make the two expressions alike, it is proposed to read, instead of “mouth of the wicked” (properly, *of a wicked man*)*, *“mouth of wickedness.” In any case the best English equivalent will be, “a wicked mouth and a deceitful mouth.” “A blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword” (*Whichcote*)*.*
**Sp...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**67-68. tabernacle of Joseph--**or, "home," or, "tribe," to which--
**tribe of Ephraim--**is parallel (compare Re 7:8). Its pre-eminence was, like Saul's, only permitted. Judah had been the choice (Ge 49:10).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 109
Chapter Outline
David complains of his enemies.(1-5)
He prophesies their destruction.(6-20)
Prayers and praises.(21-31)
**Verses 1-5**
It is the unspeakable comfort of all believers, that whoever is against them, God is for them; and to him they may apply as to one pleased to concern himself for them. David's enemies laughed at him for his devotion, but they could...
Read full commentary →They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>They compassed me about also with words of hatred</strong>—The verb סָבַב (<em>savav</em>, "to surround") pictures military encirclement, but the weapons are דִּבְרֵי שִׂנְאָה (<em>divrei sin'ah</em>, "words of hatred"). David faces verbal siege warfare. <strong>And fought against me without a cause</strong> (יִלָּחֲמוּנִי חִנָּם, <em>yilachamuni chinnam</em>)—gratuitous warfare, echoing P...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**67-68. tabernacle of Joseph--**or, "home," or, "tribe," to which--
**tribe of Ephraim--**is parallel (compare Re 7:8). Its pre-eminence was, like Saul's, only permitted. Judah had been the choice (Ge 49:10).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 109
Chapter Outline
David complains of his enemies.(1-5)
He prophesies their destruction.(6-20)
Prayers and praises.(21-31)
**Verses 1-5**
It is the unspeakable comfort of all believers, that whoever is against them, God is for them; and to him they may apply as to one pleased to concern himself for them. David's enemies laughed at him for his devotion, but they could...
Read full commentary →For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For my love they are my adversaries</strong>—David gave אַהֲבָתִי (<em>ahavati</em>, "my love"), but received שָׂטַן (<em>satan</em>, adversarial opposition—the verb root that yields "Satan"). This is covenant betrayal: love repaid with enmity. <strong>But I give myself unto prayer</strong> (וַאֲנִי תְפִלָּה, <em>va'ani tefillah</em>)—literally "but I am prayer," an idiom meaning "I am dev...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **For my love . . .**—*i.e., in return for my love *I *give myself unto prayer. *For a concise expression of the same kind as “I prayer,” see Psalm 120:7, “I peace.” Of course the psalmist means, that in the face of all the taunts and reproaches of his maligners, he simply and naturally has recourse to prayer, and, as the context seems to indicate, prayer *for them.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**69. Exalted as--**
**high palaces--**or, "mountains," and abiding as--the earth.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 109
Chapter Outline
David complains of his enemies.(1-5)
He prophesies their destruction.(6-20)
Prayers and praises.(21-31)
**Verses 1-5**
It is the unspeakable comfort of all believers, that whoever is against them, God is for them; and to him they may apply as to one pleased to concern himself for them. David's enemies laughed at him for his devotion, but they could...
Read full commentary →And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they have rewarded me evil for good</strong> (וַיָּשִׂימוּ עָלַי רָעָה תַּחַת טוֹבָה, <em>vayasimu alai ra'ah tachat tovah</em>)—the preposition תַּחַת (<em>tachat</em>, "in place of") emphasizes substitution: evil <em>instead of</em> good, not alongside it. <strong>And hatred for my love</strong> (וְשִׂנְאָה תַּחַת אַהֲבָתִי, <em>vesin'ah tachat ahavati</em>)—the same substitution str...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**70-72. God's sovereignty was illustrated in this choice. The contrast is striking--**humility and exaltation--and the correspondence is beautiful.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 109
Chapter Outline
David complains of his enemies.(1-5)
He prophesies their destruction.(6-20)
Prayers and praises.(21-31)
**Verses 1-5**
It is the unspeakable comfort of all believers, that whoever is against them, God is for them; and to him they may apply as to one pleased to concern himself for them. David's enemies laughed at him for his devotion, but they could...
Read full commentary →Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand. Satan: or, an adversary
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Set thou a wicked man over him</strong> (הַפְקֵד עָלָיו רָשָׁע, <em>hafked alav rasha</em>)—the verb פָּקַד (<em>paqad</em>) means "appoint, set in authority." David prays for poetic justice: let the wicked experience wickedness. <strong>And let Satan stand at his right hand</strong> (וְשָׂטָן יַעֲמֹד עַל־יְמִינוֹ, <em>vesatan ya'amod al-yemino</em>)—this is the only use of שָׂטָן (<em>sat...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Set thou a wicked man over him.**—This rendering is abundantly confirmed by Leviticus 26:16; Numbers 4:27; Numbers 27:16; Jeremiah 15:3; Jeremiah 51:27, against Hitzig’s proposed “Pronounce against him—guilty,” which also would only anticipate Psalm 109:7. (Comp., too, the noun “office” in Psalm 109:8, from the same verb.) The wish expressed is that the persons indicated may fall into the ha...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**70-72. God's sovereignty was illustrated in this choice. The contrast is striking--**humility and exaltation--and the correspondence is beautiful.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-20**
The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and misery upon t...
Read full commentary →When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin. be condemned: Heb. go out guilty, or, wicked
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>When he shall be judged, let him be condemned</strong> (בְּהִשָּׁפְטוֹ יֵצֵא רָשָׁע, <em>behishafto yetse rasha</em>)—literally "when he is judged, let him go out wicked/guilty." The verb יָצָא (<em>yatsa</em>, "go out") refers to leaving the courtroom with a guilty verdict. <strong>And let his prayer become sin</strong> (וּתְפִלָּתוֹ תִּהְיֶה לְחַטָּאָה, <em>utefilato tihyeh lechata'ah</e...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **When he shall be judged.**—Literally, *in his being judged. *(See margin.) The meaning is, “may he go out of court a condemned man.”
**Let his prayer become sin.**—If this clause stood by itself, the most natural way would be to give “prayer” and “sin” their usual sense, and see in it the horrible hope that the man’s prayer to God for mercy would be reckoned as “sin.” That such was the resul...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**70-72. God's sovereignty was illustrated in this choice. The contrast is striking--**humility and exaltation--and the correspondence is beautiful.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-20**
The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and misery upon t...
Read full commentary →Let his days be few; and let another take his office. office: or, charge
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Let his days be few</strong> (יִהְיוּ־יָמָיו מְעַטִּים, <em>yihyu-yamav me'atim</em>)—a prayer for premature death as divine judgment. <strong>And let another take his office</strong> (פְּקֻדָּתוֹ יִקַּח־אַחֵר, <em>pekudato yikach-acher</em>)—the noun פְּקֻדָּה (<em>pekudah</em>) means "office, oversight, position of authority." This is the verse Peter quoted in Acts 1:20 regarding replaci...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Office.**—See Note, Psalm 109:6. Evidently some post of power and influence.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-20**
The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and misery upon t...
Read full commentary →Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow</strong> (יִהְיוּ־בָנָיו יְתוֹמִים וְאִשְׁתּוֹ אַלְמָנָה, <em>yihyu-vanav yetomim ve'ishto almanah</em>)—this verse intensifies the judgment to include generational consequences. The words יָתוֹם (<em>yatom</em>, "orphan") and אַלְמָנָה (<em>almanah</em>, "widow") denote the most vulnerable classes in Israelite society, those God specifi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **Children . . . wife.**—It is one of the sadly peculiar features of this series of curses that the resentment of the imprecator cannot satisfy itself on the *person *of his foe, but fastens also on his innocent descendants. To invoke a speedy death does not content him; he must feast his anger with the thought of the fatherless children and desolate widow.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 79 Psa 79:1-13. This Psalm, like the seventy-fourth, probably depicts the desolations of the Chaldeans (Jr 52:12-24). It comprises the usual complaint, prayer, and promised thanks for relief.
1. (Compare Psa 74:2-7).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-20**
The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and misery upon t...
Read full commentary →Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg</strong> (נוֹעַ יָנוּעוּ בָנָיו וְשִׁאֵלוּ, <em>noa yanu'u vanav veshi'elu</em>)—the verb נוּעַ (<em>nua</em>) means "wander, be homeless," doubled for emphasis (נוֹעַ יָנוּעוּ, "wander they shall wander"). The verb שָׁאַל (<em>sha'al</em>, "beg, ask for") depicts destitution. <strong>Let them seek their bread also out of their desolate pl...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **Be continually vagabonds.**—“Wander and wander about” would better reproduce the original.
**Desolate places.**—Rather, *ruins. *They are imagined creeping out of the ruins of their homes to beg. But there was a different reading, followed by the LXX. and Vulg., “let them be driven out of their homes.” This reading involves but a slight literal change. Comp.,
“Worse evil yet I pray for on m...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
2-3. (Compare Jr 15:3; 16:4).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-20**
The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and misery upon t...
Read full commentary →Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Let the extortioner catch all that he hath</strong> (יְנַקֵּשׁ נוֹשֶׁה לְכָל־אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ, <em>yenakesh noseh lechol-asher-lo</em>)—the verb נָקַשׁ (<em>nakash</em>) means "ensnare, lay snares," used of hunters trapping prey. The noun נוֹשֶׁה (<em>noseh</em>) is a creditor or extortioner. The imagery depicts creditors seizing every asset, reducing the enemy to absolute poverty. <strong>And l...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Let the extortioner.**—Better, *let the usurer lay traps to catch all that he hath. *So Timon:
“Let prisons swallow them,
Debts wither them to nothing.”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
2-3. (Compare Jr 15:3; 16:4).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-20**
The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and misery upon t...
Read full commentary →Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Let there be none to extend mercy unto him</strong> (אַל־יְהִי־לוֹ מֹשֵׁךְ חָסֶד, <em>al-yehi-lo moshech chased</em>)—literally "let there be no one drawing out <em>chesed</em> to him." The verb מָשַׁךְ (<em>mashach</em>, "extend, draw out") with חֶסֶד (<em>chesed</em>, "covenant loyalty, steadfast love") depicts someone reaching out with loyal love. David prays this be withheld. <strong>N...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4. (Compare Psa 44:13; Jr 42:18; La 2:15).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-20**
The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and misery upon t...
Read full commentary →Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Let his posterity be cut off</strong> (יְהִי־אַחֲרִיתוֹ לְהַכְרִית, <em>yehi-acharito lehachrit</em>)—אַחֲרִית (<em>acharit</em>, "posterity, future, end") with the Hiphil infinitive of כָּרַת (<em>karat</em>, "cut off") speaks to dynastic extinction. <strong>And in the generation following let their name be blotted out</strong> (בְּדוֹר אַחֵר יִמַּח שְׁמָם, <em>bedor acher yimach shemam</...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **Posterity.**—The Hebrew theory of the Divine government was, that if ruin did not overtake the sinner himself, it would fall on his posterity; his name would be forgotten, and his race extinct.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5. How long--**(Psa 13:1).
**be angry--**(Psa 74:1-10).
**jealousy burn--**(De 29:20).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-20**
The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and misery upon t...
Read full commentary →Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD</strong> (יִזָּכֵר עֲוֺן אֲבֹתָיו אֶל־יְהוָה, <em>yizacher avon avotav el-YHWH</em>)—the verb זָכַר (<em>zachar</em>, "remember") with עָוֺן (<em>avon</em>, "iniquity, guilt") asks God to hold ancestral sins in active memory for judgment. <strong>And let not the sin of his mother be blotted out</strong> (וְחַטַּאת אִמּוֹ אַל־תִּמָ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **Fathers.**—The sweet of vengeance lies in its completeness. The curse must strike backwards as well as forwards, and the root as well as the branch be destroyed. Undoubtedly the Mosaic Law, which proclaimed that the “iniquity of the fathers should be visited on the children,” suggested the form of the imprecation.
**Sin of his mother.**—Is the necessity of the parallel. ism sufficient to ac...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
6-7. (Compare Jr 10:25). Though we deserve much, do not the heathen deserve more for their violence to us (Jr 51:3-5; Zec 1:14)? The singular denotes the chief power, and the use of the plural indicates the combined confederates.
**called upon--**or, "by"
**thy name--**proclaimed Thy attributes and professed allegiance (Is 12:4; Ac 2:21).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-20**
The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and misery upon t...
Read full commentary →Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Let them be before the LORD continually</strong> (יִהְיוּ נֶגֶד־יְהוָה תָּמִיד, <em>yihyu neged-YHWH tamid</em>)—the sins remain נֶגֶד (<em>neged</em>, "before, in front of") God perpetually (תָּמִיד, <em>tamid</em>, "continually, always"). This contrasts sharply with Psalm 103:12: "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." <strong>That he may...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
6-7. (Compare Jr 10:25). Though we deserve much, do not the heathen deserve more for their violence to us (Jr 51:3-5; Zec 1:14)? The singular denotes the chief power, and the use of the plural indicates the combined confederates.
**called upon--**or, "by"
**thy name--**proclaimed Thy attributes and professed allegiance (Is 12:4; Ac 2:21).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-20**
The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and misery upon t...
Read full commentary →Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Because that he remembered not to shew mercy</strong> (יַעַן אֲשֶׁר לֹא זָכַר עֲשׂוֹת חָסֶד, <em>ya'an asher lo zachar asot chased</em>)—this verse grounds the preceding curses. The enemy לֹא זָכַר (<em>lo zachar</em>, "did not remember") to do חֶסֶד (<em>chesed</em>, covenant loyalty). <strong>But persecuted the poor and needy man</strong> (וַיִּרְדֹּף אִישׁ־עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן, <em>vayirdof...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **Poor.**—The Hebrew word thus rendered, viz., ‘*anî, *has suggested a reference to the murder of the high priest Onias (2 Maccabees 4:34-36).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. former iniquities--**literally, "iniquities of former times."
**prevent us--**literally, "meet us," as in Psa 21:3.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-20**
The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and misery upon t...
Read full commentary →As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him</strong> (וַיֶּאֱהַב קְלָלָה וַתְּבוֹאֵהוּ, <em>vaye'ehav kelalah vattevo'ehu</em>)—he אָהַב (<em>ahav</em>, "loved") קְלָלָה (<em>kelalah</em>, "cursing"), so it comes upon him. <strong>As he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him</strong> (וְלֹא־חָפֵץ בִּבְרָכָה וַתִּרְחַק מִמֶּנּוּ, <em>velo-chafets bivrachah vattirchak mimenu</...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17, 18) **Let.**—The optatives in the English are wrong. These verses express facts, and the imprecation follows in Psalm 109:19. Render—
He loved cursing; and it comes;
He delighted not in blessing; and it departs;
Yea, he clothed himself in cursing as with his cloak,
And it came like water into his bowels,
And like oil into his bones;
May it be, &c.
Comp. the proverb, “Curses, like chickens, al...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. for ... glory of thy name [and for] thy name's sake--**both mean for illustrating Thy attributes, faithfulness, power, &c.
**purge ... sins--**literally, "provide atonement for us." Deliverance from sin and suffering, for their good and God's glory, often distinguish the prayers of Old Testament saints (compare Ep 1:7).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-20**
The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and misery upon t...
Read full commentary →As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones. into his bowels: Heb. within him
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment</strong> (וַיִּלְבַּשׁ קְלָלָה כְּמַדּוֹ, <em>vayilbash kelalah kemado</em>)—the verb לָבַשׁ (<em>lavash</em>, "clothe, put on") pictures cursing as a garment (מַד, <em>mad</em>). Cursing became his identity, what he wore publicly. <strong>So let it come into his bowels like water</strong> (וַתָּבֹא כַמַּיִם בְּקִרְבּוֹ, <em>vatta...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
10. This ground of pleading often used (Ex 32:12; Nu 14:13-16).
**blood ... shed--**(Psa 79:3).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-20**
The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and misery upon t...
Read full commentary →Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him</strong> (תְּהִי־לוֹ כְּבֶגֶד יַעְטֶה, <em>tehi-lo kheveged ya'teh</em>)—the verb עָטָה (<em>atah</em>, "wrap, cover") with בֶּגֶד (<em>beged</em>, "garment") completes the clothing metaphor. <strong>And for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually</strong> (וּלְמֵזַח תָּמִיד יַחְגְּרֶהָ, <em>ulmeizach tamid yachgerehah</em>)—מֵזַח (<...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. prisoner--**the whole captive people.
**power--**literally, "arm" (Psa 10:15).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-20**
The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and misery upon t...
Read full commentary →Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul.</strong> This verse concludes the imprecatory section of Psalm 109, summarizing David's appeal for divine justice against false accusers and malicious enemies. The word "reward" (<em>pe'ullah</em>, פְּעֻלָּה) refers to recompense or wages—what one deserves for their actions. David isn't s...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20) **Reward.**—Either “work” or “wages.” The LXX. and Vulg. take it in the former sense, “This is their work who,” &c.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12. into their bosom--**The lap or folds of the dress is used by Eastern people for receiving articles. The figure denotes retaliation (compare Is 65:6, 7). They reproached God as well as His people.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-20**
The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and misery upon t...
Read full commentary →But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me.
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KJV Study Commentary
"But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me." This verse shifts from imprecation against enemies to petition for personal deliverance. <em>Ve'atah Adonai YHWH aseh itti l'ma'an shemekha</em> (But you, Lord YHWH, do for me for your name's sake) grounds the appeal in God's reputation and character, not the psalmist's merit. <em>L'ma'an shemekh...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(21) **Do thou for me.**—It is almost impossible in English to retain the emphasis of this appeal, made still more emphatic by the sudden change from imprecation on an enemy to prayer for mercy towards self.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13. sheep ... pasture--**(Compare Psa 74:1; 78:70).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-31**
The psalmist takes God's comforts to himself, but in a very humble manner. He was troubled in mind. His body was wasted, and almost worn away. But it is better to have leanness in the body, while the soul prospers and is in health, than to have leanness in the soul, while the body is feasted. He was ridiculed and reproached by his enemies. But if God bless us, we need not care...
Read full commentary →For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.</strong> David declares his condition using <em>ani</em> (עָנִי, poor/afflicted) and <em>evyon</em> (אֶבְיוֹן, needy), terms denoting socioeconomic vulnerability but primarily spiritual destitution. The phrase <strong>my heart is wounded</strong> uses <em>chalal</em> (חָלַל), meaning pierced or slain, describing trauma deeper than...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-31**
The psalmist takes God's comforts to himself, but in a very humble manner. He was troubled in mind. His body was wasted, and almost worn away. But it is better to have leanness in the body, while the soul prospers and is in health, than to have leanness in the soul, while the body is feasted. He was ridiculed and reproached by his enemies. But if God bless us, we need not care...
Read full commentary →I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust.</strong> Two vivid metaphors capture David's sense of transience and helplessness. The declining shadow (<em>ke-tsel kintoyo</em>, כְּצֵל כִּנְטוֹתוֹ) refers to lengthening afternoon shadows that signal day's end—fleeting, insubstantial, soon to vanish entirely. David feels his life ebbing away, his substan...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(23) **Shadow when it declineth.**—Literally, *a lengthened shade. *(Comp. Psalm 102:11, and see Note. Song of Solomon 2:17.) When the day declines the shadow lengthens, it becomes longer and longer, till it vanishes in the universal darkness. Thus does the life of the suffering generation pass away.
**Tossed up and down.**—Better, *tossed *or *shaken out, *as from the lap. So LXX. and Vulg. (See ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 80 Psa 80:1-19. Shoshannim--"Lilies" (see on Psa 45:1, title). Eduth--Testimony, referring to the topic as a testimony of God to His people (compare Psa 19:7). This Psalm probably relates to the captivity of the ten tribes, as the former to that of Judah. Its complaint is aggravated by the contrast of former prosperity, and the prayer for relief occurs as a refrain through the Psalm.
**1-2....
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-31**
The psalmist takes God's comforts to himself, but in a very humble manner. He was troubled in mind. His body was wasted, and almost worn away. But it is better to have leanness in the body, while the soul prospers and is in health, than to have leanness in the soul, while the body is feasted. He was ridiculed and reproached by his enemies. But if God bless us, we need not care...
Read full commentary →My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness.</strong> Physical deterioration accompanies David's spiritual anguish. <em>Kashal</em> (כָּשַׁל, weak/stumbling) describes knees that can no longer support body weight, while <strong>my flesh faileth of fatness</strong> uses <em>kaḥash</em> (כָּחַשׁ, grow lean/waste away), indicating severe emaciation.<br><br>The fasting m...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(24) **Faileth of fatness.**—Literally, *has failed me from fat, i.e., *has dwindled away.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 80 Psa 80:1-19. Shoshannim--"Lilies" (see on Psa 45:1, title). Eduth--Testimony, referring to the topic as a testimony of God to His people (compare Psa 19:7). This Psalm probably relates to the captivity of the ten tribes, as the former to that of Judah. Its complaint is aggravated by the contrast of former prosperity, and the prayer for relief occurs as a refrain through the Psalm.
**1-2....
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-31**
The psalmist takes God's comforts to himself, but in a very humble manner. He was troubled in mind. His body was wasted, and almost worn away. But it is better to have leanness in the body, while the soul prospers and is in health, than to have leanness in the soul, while the body is feasted. He was ridiculed and reproached by his enemies. But if God bless us, we need not care...
Read full commentary →I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads.</strong> Public mockery compounds David's affliction. <em>Cherpah</em> (חֶרְפָּה, reproach/disgrace) indicates shameful contempt, while head-shaking was a gesture of scorn, derision, and triumph over the fallen. David has become a spectacle of humiliation, his enemies gloating over his reduced condition.<...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3. Turn us--**that is, from captivity.
**thy face to shine--**(Nu 6:25).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-31**
The psalmist takes God's comforts to himself, but in a very humble manner. He was troubled in mind. His body was wasted, and almost worn away. But it is better to have leanness in the body, while the soul prospers and is in health, than to have leanness in the soul, while the body is feasted. He was ridiculed and reproached by his enemies. But if God bless us, we need not care...
Read full commentary →Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:</strong> This urgent cry for divine intervention comes from one of the most intense imprecatory psalms. The Hebrew <em>ezreni</em> (עָזְרֵנִי, "help me") and <em>hoshi'eni</em> (הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי, "save me") are imperatives expressing desperate dependence on God. The psalmist (traditionally David) faces false accusation and vicious enemi...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. be angry--**(Compare Margin.)
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-31**
The psalmist takes God's comforts to himself, but in a very humble manner. He was troubled in mind. His body was wasted, and almost worn away. But it is better to have leanness in the body, while the soul prospers and is in health, than to have leanness in the soul, while the body is feasted. He was ridiculed and reproached by his enemies. But if God bless us, we need not care...
Read full commentary →That they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, LORD, hast done it.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>That they may know that this is thy hand</strong> (וְיֵדְעוּ כִּי־יָדְךָ זֹּאת, <em>ve-yed'u ki-yadkha zot</em>)—<em>Yada</em> means know, recognize; <em>yad</em> means hand, often metaphorically for power, action. <strong>That thou, LORD, hast done it</strong> (אַתָּה יְהוָה עֲשִׂיתָהּ, <em>attah YHWH asitah</em>)—<em>Asah</em> means make, do, accomplish.<br><br>Psalm 109 is an imprecator...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5. bread of tears--**still an Eastern figure for affliction.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-31**
The psalmist takes God's comforts to himself, but in a very humble manner. He was troubled in mind. His body was wasted, and almost worn away. But it is better to have leanness in the body, while the soul prospers and is in health, than to have leanness in the soul, while the body is feasted. He was ridiculed and reproached by his enemies. But if God bless us, we need not care...
Read full commentary →Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Let them curse, but bless thou</strong> (יְקַלְלוּ־הֵמָּה וְאַתָּה תְבָרֵךְ, <em>yekallelu-hemmah ve-attah tevarekh</em>)—<em>Kalal</em> means curse; <em>barakh</em> means bless. <strong>When they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice</strong> (קָמוּ וַיֵּבֹשׁוּ וְעַבְדְּךָ יִשְׂמָח, <em>kamu vayyevoshu ve-avdkha yismach</em>)—<em>Bosh</em> means be ashamed, put to shame;...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(28-31) It is impossible not to notice the anti-climax in these verses, if they are spoken by the same person as Psalm 109:16-20, and directed against the same enemies, of whom the one there singled out is the prominent figure. It is not only that the effect is weakened by the change back to the plural number, but the same imprecations are repeated in a diluted and modified form. But perhaps in Ps...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. strife--**object or cause of (Is 9:11). On last clause compare Psa 79:4; Eze 36:4.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-31**
The psalmist takes God's comforts to himself, but in a very humble manner. He was troubled in mind. His body was wasted, and almost worn away. But it is better to have leanness in the body, while the soul prospers and is in health, than to have leanness in the soul, while the body is feasted. He was ridiculed and reproached by his enemies. But if God bless us, we need not care...
Read full commentary →Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame</strong> (יִלְבְּשׁוּ צוֹרְרַי כְּלִמָּה, <em>yilbeshu tzorerai kelimah</em>)—<em>Labash</em> means clothe, be dressed in; <em>kelimah</em> means shame, disgrace, dishonor. <strong>And let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle</strong> (וְיַעֲטוּ כַמְעִיל בָּשְׁתָּם, <em>ve-ya'atu kham'il boshtam</em>)—<em>Atah</em> mean...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(29) **Mantle.**—Heb., *meîl, *which was also a garment worn over the tunic.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-31**
The psalmist takes God's comforts to himself, but in a very humble manner. He was troubled in mind. His body was wasted, and almost worn away. But it is better to have leanness in the body, while the soul prospers and is in health, than to have leanness in the soul, while the body is feasted. He was ridiculed and reproached by his enemies. But if God bless us, we need not care...
Read full commentary →I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth</strong> (אוֹדֶה יְהוָה מְאֹד בְּפִי, <em>odeh YHWH me'od be-fi</em>)—<em>Yadah</em> means praise, give thanks; <em>me'od</em> means greatly, exceedingly. <strong>Yea, I will praise him among the multitude</strong> (וּבְתוֹךְ רַבִּים אֲהַלְלֶנּוּ, <em>u-ve-tokh rabbim ahallelenu</em>)—<em>Halal</em> means praise, boast in; <em>rabbim</em> means ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8-11. brought--**or, "plucked up," as by roots, to be replanted.
**a vine--**(Psa 78:47). The figure (Is 16:8) represents the flourishing state of Israel, as predicted (Ge 28:14), and verified (1Ki 4:20-25).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-31**
The psalmist takes God's comforts to himself, but in a very humble manner. He was troubled in mind. His body was wasted, and almost worn away. But it is better to have leanness in the body, while the soul prospers and is in health, than to have leanness in the soul, while the body is feasted. He was ridiculed and reproached by his enemies. But if God bless us, we need not care...
Read full commentary →For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul. those: Heb. the judges of
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor</strong> (כִּי־יַעֲמֹד לִימִין אֶבְיוֹן, <em>ki-ya'amod limin evyon</em>)—<em>Amad</em> means stand, take a stand; <em>yamin</em> means right hand, the place of advocacy/defense; <em>evyon</em> means poor, needy, afflicted. <strong>To save him from those that condemn his soul</strong> (לְהוֹשִׁיעַ מִשֹּׁפְטֵי נַפְשׁוֹ, <em>lehoshi'a mi-shoft...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(31) **For he . . .**—Jehovah is the poor man’s advocate, just as an adversary was the wicked man’s accuser.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8-11. brought--**or, "plucked up," as by roots, to be replanted.
**a vine--**(Psa 78:47). The figure (Is 16:8) represents the flourishing state of Israel, as predicted (Ge 28:14), and verified (1Ki 4:20-25).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 21-31**
The psalmist takes God's comforts to himself, but in a very humble manner. He was troubled in mind. His body was wasted, and almost worn away. But it is better to have leanness in the body, while the soul prospers and is in health, than to have leanness in the soul, while the body is feasted. He was ridiculed and reproached by his enemies. But if God bless us, we need not care...
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