English Standard Version
Psalms 109:4
4In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.
Psalms 109:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.
- New International Version (NIV)In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.
- New King James Version (NKJV)In return for my love they are my accusers, But I give myself to prayer.
- New Living Translation (NLT)I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations even as I am praying for them!
Context of Psalms 109:4
2For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. 3They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. 5So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love. 6Appoint a wicked man against him; let an accuser stand at his right hand.
Read all of Psalms 109Psalms 109:4 word by word
תַּֽחַת־אַהֲבָתִ֥י יִשְׂטְנ֗וּנִי וַאֲנִ֥י תְפִלָּֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 109:4
- Psalms 35:7For without cause they hid their net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my life.
- Psalms 38:20Those who render me evil for good accuse me because I follow after good.
- 2 Samuel 13:39And the spirit of the king longed to go out to Absalom, because he was comforted about Amnon, since he was dead.
- John 10:32Jesus answered them, "I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?"
- 2 Corinthians 12:15I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
- Psalms 55:16But I call to God, and the Lord will save me.
- Psalms 69:12I am the talk of those who sit in the gate, and the drunkards make songs about me.
- 2 Samuel 15:31And it was told David, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." And David said, "O Lord, please turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness."
- Daniel 6:10When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.
- Luke 6:11But they were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.
- Luke 23:34And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments.
Commentaries on Psalms 109:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4For my love they are my adversaries - In their behalf I have performed many acts of kindness, and they are my adversaries notwithstanding; this shows principles the most vicious, and hearts the most corrupt. Many of the fathers and commentators have understood the principal part of the things spoken here as referring to our Lord, and the treatment he received from the Jews; and whatever the original intention was, they may safely be applied to this case…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4For my love - As a recompence for my love; or, this is the return which I get for all the expressions of my love to them. The enemies referred to were those whom he had treated kindly; to whom he had done good. This is not uncommon in the world. It was illustrated in an eminent degree in the life of the Saviour. But I give myself unto prayer - literally, “I - prayer;” that is, I am all prayer; I continually pray. This may mean, either, that he bore…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4-5The psalmist shows kindness and godliness (see Psalm 35:12–14), but faces stubborn opposition and hatred.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 4-54-5. They return evil for good (compare Psa 27:12; Pr 17:13). I give myself unto prayer--or literally, "I (am) prayer," or, "as for me, prayer," that is, it is my resource for comfort in distress.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 109:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 109
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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Commentaries