King James Version

What Does Psalms 109:31 Mean?

Psalms 109:31 in the King James Version says “For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul. those: Heb. the judges o...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 109 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Psalms 109:31 · KJV

Salvation

Context

29

Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.

30

I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.

31

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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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor (כִּי־יַעֲמֹד לִימִין אֶבְיוֹן, ki-ya'amod limin evyon)—Amad means stand, take a stand; yamin means right hand, the place of advocacy/defense; evyon means poor, needy, afflicted. To save him from those that condemn his soul (לְהוֹשִׁיעַ מִשֹּׁפְטֵי נַפְשׁוֹ, lehoshi'a mi-shoftei nafsho)—Yasha means save, deliver; shoftei means those who judge; nefesh means soul, life, person.

This verse explains the confidence behind verse 30's praise: God stands as advocate for the powerless. The "right hand" is the position of the defender in court. While enemies accuse, God stands as defense attorney for the evyon (afflicted poor). This anticipates Christ's advocacy: "We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1). Romans 8:34 says Christ "is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient courts favored the powerful; the poor rarely received justice (Exodus 23:6, Proverbs 22:22, Isaiah 10:1-2). God's law commanded special protection for the powerless (Deuteronomy 24:17-18). God himself becomes their defender when human courts fail. This theme runs throughout Scripture: God sides with the vulnerable against oppressors.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does knowing God stands as your advocate affect your response to accusation?
  2. What does it mean that God specifically defends the "poor" (afflicted, powerless, marginalized)?
  3. How does Christ's intercession at God's right hand (Romans 8:34) fulfill this verse perfectly?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
כִּֽי1 of 7
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יַ֭עֲמֹד2 of 7

“For he shall stand”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לִימִ֣ין3 of 7

“at the right hand”

H3225

the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

אֶבְי֑וֹן4 of 7

“of the poor”

H34

destitute

לְ֝הוֹשִׁ֗יעַ5 of 7

“to save”

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

מִשֹּׁפְטֵ֥י6 of 7

“him from those that condemn”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃7 of 7

“his soul”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 109:31 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 109:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 121:5Psalms 16:8Psalms 110:5Psalms 73:23Psalms 140:12Isaiah 54:17

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