Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryPsalms 109

The Lord Hears the Prayer of the PersecutedThis psalm teaches us the great comfort of knowing that, even when people are against us, God is always on our side. David shows us that we can always turn to God, who cares about our struggles and listens to our prayers. The section outlines how David brings his difficult situation to God, describes the unfair treatment he faces, and decides to stay faithful by praying, no matter how others treat him.v. 1: David asks God not to stay silent. He says, Hold not thy peace . David wants God to act quickly and not delay His judgment. He calls God the God of my praise, meaning he gives God all credit for anything good in his life. David knows that all his blessings come from God, so he keeps praising Him. This teaches us to thank God for everything and to praise Him always, as David does here.

v. 2–5: David describes his enemies to God. They are wicked and enjoy doing evil (Psalm 109:2 ). He says, They have spoken against me with a lying tongue, and their words are full of hate (Psalm 109:3 ). These people attack him without any reason. David says, They have fought against me without a cause (Psalm 109:3 ). He points out that his enemies lie about him, pretend to be kind, but in reality, they want to hurt him. They surround him and try to harm him from every side. David also notices their ingratitude; he did good things for them, but they gave him evil in return (Psalm 109:5 ). He says, For my love they are my adversaries (Psalm 109:4 ). The more he tried to help, the more they hated him. Sadly, sometimes people respond to kindness with hate, and David knows this from experience.

v. 4: Even in the middle of this trouble, David does not stop doing what is right. He says, But I give myself unto prayer (Psalm 109:4 ). David makes prayer a big part of his life. He prays for his enemies, even when they treat him badly. This shows that, as believers, we should never stop praying for others, even if they hurt us (1 Samuel 12:23 ). David’s devotion is strong; even if people laugh at him for praying, he keeps on doing it. David’s actions also point forward to Jesus, who was surrounded by hateful words and was persecuted without cause. Like David, Jesus prayed for His enemies, saying, Father, forgive them (Luke 23:34 ).

Prophetic ImprecationsThis section focuses on David’s strong words against a particular enemy, who was the main leader among those who opposed him. David’s words are not from hate or revenge, but from a holy anger against sin and those who fight against God’s people. Many believe these words also point forward to Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, as Jesus Himself called him a son of perdition (John 17:12 ). The section warns against misusing scripture to curse others and shows that using holy words for evil purposes is a very serious wrong.v. 6–7: David asks God to let a wicked person rule over his enemy, and for Satan to stand at his right hand. He says, Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand (Psalm 109:6 ). This means that just as his enemy was cruel, someone even more cruel should be over him. When his enemy is judged, David prays that he would be found guilty and receive the punishment he deserves, both from people and from God. He asks that even the enemy’s prayers would not help him, but instead count against him (Psalm 109:7 ). This shows the seriousness of turning away from God, because there can come a time when it is too late to ask for help (Matthew 7:21-23 ).

v. 8: David prays, Let his days be few; and let another take his office . He asks that the enemy’s life would be shortened, like someone who is executed for a crime. He also says that someone else should take his position or job. In the New Testament, Peter applies this verse to Judas, when Matthias is chosen to replace him among the apostles (Acts 1:20 ).

v. 9–10: David says, Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow (Psalm 109:9 ). He prays that the enemy’s family would suffer after his death. His children would have to wander and beg, with no safe place to live (Psalm 109:10 ). This is a sad result for those who do evil, because their actions can bring trouble to their families.

v. 11–12: David asks that all the enemy’s property would be taken away by others. He says, Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the stranger spoil his labour (Psalm 109:11 ). He adds that no one would show kindness to his children or help his family (Psalm 109:12 ). He shows that sometimes the children of wicked people suffer because others do not want to help them.

v. 13: David continues, Let his posterity be cut off; in the generation following let their name be blotted out . He prays that the enemy’s family line would end and that people would not remember them with honor.

v. 14–15: David says that God should remember the sins of this man’s ancestors and mother. He asks, Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the Lord

v. 16: David explains why these judgments are deserved. He says the enemy did not show mercy, but instead hurt the poor and killed the brokenhearted . Because he loved cruelty, he will receive cruelty in return.

v. 17–19: David says that since the enemy loved to curse others, those curses will come back on his own head. He did not like to bless anyone, so no blessings will come to him. David says, He clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment (Psalm 109:18 ). The curse will become part of him, like water inside his body or oil in his bones. It will surround him completely, like clothes or a belt (Psalm 109:19 ). This shows how powerful and dangerous it is to use words to harm others.

v. 20: David ends this section by saying, Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the Lord

Humble Petitions; Triumphing in GodAfter speaking strong words about his enemies, David turns to God for comfort. He does this with great humility, not pride. David shares his struggles openly with God and asks for help. He teaches us that, even when we are low and others mock us, we can trust God to help and bless us. This section also shows that God's blessing is more powerful than any curse, and that we should seek God's honor and not our own.v. 21: David prays, But do thou for me, O God the Lord

v. 22: David says, For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me . He admits that he feels weak and in pain, both in body and spirit. His troubles make his heart feel broken.

v. 23: He continues, I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust . David feels his life fading away, like a shadow at sunset. He feels unstable, always moving, just like a locust blown by the wind.

v. 24: David says, My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness . His body is weak, either from lack of food or from choosing to fast during hard times. He is so thin that he feels like only skin and bones.

v. 25: He adds, I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads . David’s enemies make fun of him and mock him, using his suffering as a reason to scorn him.

v. 26–27: David cries out, Help me, O Lord

v. 28: David says, Let them curse, but bless thou . Even if people curse him, he trusts that God’s blessing is stronger. He prays that God will let him rejoice, knowing God’s blessing is enough.

v. 29: He asks God, Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion . David wants his enemies to be ashamed of their actions, and hopes this might even bring them to repentance.

v. 30: David promises, I will greatly praise the Lord

v. 31: He is confident, For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul (Psalm 109:31 ). David knows God stands close to help and defend those who are in need. God is like a helper who stands beside the poor and saves them from their enemies. This confidence in God’s help brings David peace and hope, even in the middle of trouble.