Psalm 109:4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 109:1-5

It is the unspeakable comfort of all good people that, whoever is against them, God is for them, and to him they may apply as to one that is pleased to concern himself for them. Thus David here. I. He refers himself to God's judgment (Ps. 109:1): ?Hold not thy peace, but let my sentence come forth from thy presence, Ps. 17:2. Delay not to give judgment upon the appeal made to thee.? God saw what his enemies did against him, but seemed to connive at it, and to keep silence: ?Lord,? says he, ?do... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 109:4

For my love they are my adversaries ,.... For the love that Christ showed to the Jews; to their bodies, in going about and healing all manner of diseases among them; to their souls, in preaching, the Gospel to them in each of their cities; and for the love he showed to mankind in coming into the world to save them, which should have commanded love again; but instead of this they became his implacable adversaries: they acted the part of Satan; they were as so many Satans to him, as the word... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 109:4

For 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, as the Psalm 109:2 , Psalm 109:3 ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 109:4

Verse 4 4On account of my love they have been opposed to me (296) The Psalmist had already solemnly declared, that his adversaries, unprovoked by any injury inflicted upon them by him, and without any just cause, became, through mere diabolical rage, his most implacable foes. Here he confirms the truth of that declaration by saying, that he had been their friend. For there is far more merit in showing kindness to an enemy than simply abstaining from doing that which is evil. And from this we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 109:1-5

The initial prayer and complaint. The prayer occupies one verse only ( Psalms 109:1 ); the complaint four verses ( Psalms 109:2-5 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 109:1-31

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 109:1-31

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 109:4

For my love they are my adversaries . The tenderness and kindness of the good towards wicked men does not soften them. Rather it provokes them to greater hostility. This was seen clearly in the instance of Saul. But I give myself unto prayer ; literally, but I prayer ; i.e. "but I am wholly prayer," "I do nothing during their attacks on me but pray for them." read more

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