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

2while the wicked slander me and tell lies about me. 3They surround me with hateful words and fight against me for no reason. I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations even as I am praying for them! 5They repay evil for good, and hatred for my love. 6They say, “Get an evil person to turn against him. Send an accuser to bring him to trial.

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 them no wrong, but they laid a trap for me. I did them no wrong, but they dug a pit to catch me.
• Psalms 38:20They repay me evil for good and oppose me for pursuing good.
• 2 Samuel 13:39And King David, now reconciled to Amnon’s death, longed to be reunited with his son Absalom.
• John 10:32Jesus said, “At my Father’s direction I have done many good works. For which one are you going to stone me?”
• 2 Corinthians 12:15I will gladly spend myself and all I have for you, even though it seems that the more I love you, the less you love me.
• Psalms 55:16But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me.
• Psalms 69:12I am the favorite topic of town gossip, and all the drunks sing about me.
• 2 Samuel 15:31When someone told David that his adviser Ahithophel was now backing Absalom, David prayed, “O Lord, let Ahithophel give Absalom foolish advice!”
• Daniel 6:10But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.
• Luke 6:11At this, the enemies of Jesus were wild with rage and began to discuss what to do with him.
• Luke 23:34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

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