UNROLL
Blue dusk at an empty town gate: a dropped wool cloak lies across a low stone bench, the gate passage dark behind it, a plain plastered wall above.

Lament · David

Psalm 109

For the day you are repaid with lies for love. These are the hardest words in the psalm book, and they are all said to God.

31 verses≈ 4 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

  1. 1–41Book IDavid's prayers: 'The LORD is my shepherd'
  2. 42–72Book II'As the deer pants'; the throne under pressure
  3. 73–89Book IIIAsaph and Korah: the kingdom falls
  4. 90–106Book IVBack to Moses: the LORD reigns
  5. 107–150Book VSongs of ascents, and the last HallelujahPsalm 109

The Song of the Slandered

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

O God of my praise,

be not silent.

For wicked and deceitful mouths open against me;

they speak against me with lying tongues.

They surround me with hateful words

and attack me without cause.

In return for my love they accuse me,

but I am a man of prayer.

They repay me evil for good,

and hatred for my love.

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may another take his position.

A heavy dark wool coat hanging from a wooden peg on a rough wall, soaked through, olive oil dripping from its hem onto a stone floor.

For he never thought to show kindness,

but pursued the poor and needy and brokenhearted,

even to their death.

The cursing that he loved,

may it fall on him;

the blessing in which he refused to delight,

may it be far from him.

The cursing that he wore like a coat,

may it soak into his body like water,

and into his bones like oil.

May it be like a robe wrapped about him,

like a belt tied forever around him.

May this be the LORD’s reward to my accusers,

to those who speak evil against me.

Pray

Leave the verdict with Him

Has someone repaid your love with lies? Name that person to God, and say plainly what was done. You don’t have to tidy it. Then leave the verdict with Him, and take your own hands off it.

Late evening on pale dry ground: the long thin shadow of a lone bare tree stretches across the frame and fades at its far end.

But You, O GOD, the Lord,

deal kindly with me for the sake of Your name;

deliver me by the goodness of Your loving devotion.

For I am poor and needy;

my heart is wounded within me.

I am fading away like a lengthening shadow;

I am shaken off like a locust.

My knees are weak from fasting,

and my body grows lean and gaunt.

I am an object of scorn to my accusers;

when they see me, they shake their heads.

0:29

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Help me, O LORD my God;

save me according to Your loving devotion.

Let them know that this is Your hand,

that You, O LORD, have done it.

Though they curse, You will bless.

A crowded town square at morning from above, ordinary villagers turned toward one unseen speaker, a thin gray-bearded man small among them, seen from behind.

When they rise up, they will be put to shame,

but Your servant will rejoice.

May my accusers be clothed with disgrace;

may they wear their shame like a robe.

With my mouth I will thank the LORD profusely;

I will praise Him in the presence of many.

For He stands at the right hand of the needy one,

to save him from the condemners of his soul.

Psalm 109:31

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Psalm 109

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A verse to carry with you

For He stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from the condemners of his soul.

Psalm 109:31

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