Psalms 109:4

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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.
• New King James Version (NKJV)In return for my love they are my accusers, But I give myself to prayer.

Context of Psalms 109:4

2For they say cruel and deceptive things to me; they lie to me. 3They surround me and say hateful things; they attack me for no reason. They repay my love with accusations, but I continue to pray. 5They repay me evil for good, and hate for love. 6Appoint an evil man to testify against him! May an accuser stand at his right side!

Psalms 109:4 word by word

תַּֽחַת־אַהֲבָתִ֥י יִשְׂטְנ֗וּנִי וַאֲנִ֥י תְפִלָּֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• For my loveאַהֲבָה'ahăbâh · loveH160
• they are my adversariesשָׂטַןώâţan · to opposeH7853
• prayerתְּפִלָּהtephillâh · prayerH8605

Cross-references for Psalms 109:4

• Psalms 35:7I did not harm them, but they hid a net to catch me and dug a pit to trap me.
• Psalms 38:20They repay me evil for the good I have done; though I have tried to do good to them, they hurl accusations at me.
• 2 Samuel 13:39The king longed to go to Absalom, for he had since been consoled over the death of Amnon.
• John 10:32Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good deeds from the Father. For which one of them are you going to stone me?”
• 2 Corinthians 12:15Now I will most gladly spend and be spent for your lives! If I love you more, am I to be loved less?
• Psalms 55:16As for me, I will call out to God, and the Lord will deliver me.
• Psalms 69:12Those who sit at the city gate gossip about me; drunkards mock me in their songs.
• 2 Samuel 15:31Now David had been told, “Ahithophel has sided with the conspirators who are with Absalom. So David prayed, “Make the advice of Ahithophel foolish, O Lord!”
• Daniel 6:10When Daniel realized that a written decree had been issued, he entered his home, where the windows in his upper room opened toward Jerusalem. Three times daily he was kneeling and offering prayers and thanks to his God just as he had been accustomed to do previously.
• Luke 6:11But they were filled with mindless rage and began debating with one another what they would do to Jesus.
• Luke 23:34[But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”] Then they threw dice to divide his clothes.

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

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Enemy
• Fasting
• Ingratitude
• Malice
• Prayerfulness

In the dictionaries

• God
• Psalms, Book of

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