Bible Commentaries
Psalms 109

Verse 1

Title. A Psalm. Hebrew. mizmor. App-65 .

of David. See note on Psalms 108:1 (Title).

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

of. Genitive of Relation : i.e. Whom I praise. Compare Deuteronomy 10:21 .

Verse 2

the wicked = a lawless one. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .

They have spoken against me. See verses: Psalms 109:6-19 for what they spoke.

Verse 3

words of hatred. Written down in verses: Psalms 109:6-15 . Compare 2 Samuel 16:5-13 for the type.

without a cause. Compare John 15:25 .

Verse 4

I give myself unto prayer = I [am all] prayer. Compare Psalms 120:7 "I [am all] peace". As here in verses: Psalms 109:1-5 and verses: Psalms 109:21-27 .

Verse 5

rewarded me = set or put against me. Syriac reads "returned me". Not the same word as in Psalms 109:20 , though the same thing is referred to.

evil. Hebrew. ra ' a' . App-44 .

for my love. Note here the Ellipsis of the verb "saying", emphasizing what is said rather than the saying of it. This verb has often to be thus supplied. See Genesis 26:7 . 1 Kings 20:34 .Psalms 2:2 ; Psalms 144:12 .Proverbs 1:21 .Isaiah 5:9 ; Isaiah 14:8 ; Isaiah 18:2 ; Isaiah 22:13 ; Isaiah 24:14 , Isaiah 24:15 ; Isaiah 28:9 . Jeremiah 9:19 ; Jeremiah 11:19 ; Jeremiah 50:5 .Lamentations 3:41 .Hosea 14:8 . Acts 9:6 ; Acts 10:15 ; Acts 14:22 , &c. See note on Psalms 144:12 .

Verse 6

Set Thou = "[saying] Set Thou", &c. See note above. Note the Parenthesis ( App-6 ), verses: Psalms 109:6-15 .

And let Satan = And then Satan will.

Satan = an adversary.

Verse 7

sin. Hebrew. chata. App-44 .

Verse 8

let another, &c. Quoted, but not fulfilled in Acts 1:20 .

office = overseership.

Verse 9

children = sons.

Verse 10

vagabonds = wanderers.

seek their bread also out. Septuagint and Vulg, read "driven out".

Verse 11

catch = lay a snare for. Compare 1 Samuel 28:9 .

Verse 12

mercy = kindness, or grace.

Verse 13

their name. Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "His name".

Verse 14

iniquity. Hebrew. 'avah. App-44 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

Verse 15

Let them be, &c. This verse is the end of the Parenthesis, which begins with Psalms 109:6 .

Verse 16

Psalms 109:16 is a return to the subject of verses: Psalms 109:1-5 , and by the same speaker of verses: Psalms 109:1-5 .

the poor = an oppressed one (Psalms 109:22 ).

man. Hebrew ' i s h . App-14 .

the broken in heart = one broken in heart. Compare Psalms 109:22 ; Psalms 69:20 .

Verse 20

Let this be = This is. Psalms 109:16 is a return to the subject of verses: Psalms 109:1-5 , and by the same speaker of verses: Psalms 109:1-5 .

reward = work. Not the same word as in Psalms 109:5 .

from the LORD = from Jehovah. It was He Who permitted it. Compare Psalms 109:27 , "This is Thy hand; Thou, LORD, hast done it". See Psalms 22:15 ; Psalms 38:2 , Psalms 38:3 ; Psalms 39:9 , Psalms 39:10 . Compare 2 Samuel 16:11 , "the LORD hath bidden him".

speak evil. See verses: Psalms 109:6-19 for the evil spoken.

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 21

GOD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

the Lord. Hebrew Adonai. App-4 .

name's. See note on Psalms 20:1 .

Verse 22

poor = oppressed. Refers to Messiah. Compare Psalms 109:16 . See Psalms 40:17 ; Psalms 69:29 ; Psalms 70:5 ; Psalms 86:1 .

heart. Compare Psalms 109:16 .

Verse 27

this is Thy hand. See note on "from the LORD", Psalms 109:20 . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is done by the hand.

Thou, LORD, hast done it. See note on Psalms 109:20 . The same is said of Messiah's exaltation. See Psalms 118:23 .

Verse 28

Let them curse. As in verses: Psalms 109:6-15

let Thy servant rejoice = Thy servant shall rejoice.

Verse 29

Let mine, &c. Contrast this with the malignity of verses: Psalms 109:6-19 and characterized in verses: Psalms 109:16-19 .

Verse 31

He shall stand, &c. Contrast this with Psalms 109:6 .

poor = needy. Not the same word as in Psalms 109:16 .

condemn his soul. Compare the Structure, Psalms 109:20 , with Psalms 109:31 .