Psalm 109:8-11

Explanation, warning, encouragement. This psalm of David contains— I. AN EXPLANATION TO BE SOUGHT . How came these strong imprecations to be used by the servant of the Lord? Are they worthy to find a place in the pages of Holy Scripture? Two things, at least, have to be considered in defense of them. 1. David identifies his own cause with that of God, and therefore his own enemies with God's. He is animated by the spirit which breathes in the words, "Do not I hate them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 109:1-31

The dreadful psalm. It is by no means easy to imagine the whole nation of Israel singing such dreadful imprecations as those contained in Psalms 109:6-19 . "Thousands of God's people," says Mr. Spurgeon, "are perplexed by it." Not a few would like to be rid of it altogether. And the explanation given by many of the old commentators, that these fearful curses are those of the Lord Jesus Christ on Judas, who betrayed him, has only made the difficulties connected with this psalm ever so... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 109:1-31

Awful Imprecations This is a psalm of the most awful imprecations, in which the writer unrestminedly pours forth the fiercest hatred of his enemy, and pleads with God to load him with the most dreadful curses. He justifies his vindictive spirit by pleading that his enemy had fought against him without a cause; had rewarded his good with evil, and his love with hatred. He says he will give himself unto prayer; but the words which follow breathe a spirit such as we wonder that a man dare... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 109:6-15

The imprecatory portion of the psalm now begins. It is no doubt true to say, with Tholuck, that "no passion is discernible in the imprecations, dreadful as they are." Clearly the writer is not moved by personal feelings of hostility, but by a spirit of justice, and an intense abhorrence of sin. He delivers a calm judicial sentence. Still, the spirit of Christian love must ever shrink from such utterances, which belong to an earlier and less perfect dispensation (comp. Luke 9:51-56 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 109:8

Let his days be few . There were Divine promises that "bloodthirsty and deceitful men" should not "live out half their days," which might naturally be regarded as justifying this wish (see Psalms 55:23 ; Proverbs 10:27 ; Ecclesiastes 7:17 ). And let another take his office . τὴν ἐπισκοπὴν αὐτοῦ , LXX . Applied by St. Peter to Judas ( Acts 1:20 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 109:9

Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow . Necessary consequences of his own condemnation to death. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 109:9-10

The vicarious feature in judgments. "Let his children be orphans, and his wife a widow." There are few Bible difficulties more perplexing than that which is created by the fact, that a man's punishments are recognized as righteously affecting, not himself only, but also his children, and those dependent on him. We naturally resist this, and say, "Every man ought to bear his own burden," and a man's punishment should be limited to himself. It is not so; it never has been so; it never can... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 109:10

Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg . If it be just that the sins of the fathers be visited upon the children, the psalmist may be regarded as justified in this wish. Still, it is not one that a Christian will readily echo. Let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places. Professor Cheyne corrects דָרְשׁוּ into גֹּדְשׁוּ , and translates, "Let them be driven from their desolate houses." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 109:11

Let the extortioner catch all that he hath ; rather, the creditor, or the usurer ; i.e. the man from whom he has borrowed money. And let the strangers (rather, let foreigners ) spoil his labor ; i.e. plunder his lands, carry off his crops, and leave him destitute. read more

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