Psalm 109:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues.

NIV: for people who are wicked and deceitful have opened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying tongues.

NASB: For they have opened a wicked and deceitful mouth against me; They have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

CSB: For wicked and deceitful mouths open against me; they speak against me with lying tongues.

NLT: while the wicked slander me and tell lies about me.

KJV: For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

NKJV: For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful Have opened against me; They have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

Psalm 109:1–5 begins with a request for God to act against the psalmist's enemy. That psalmist is likely David, but the label "of David" may refer to its style rather than its author. The first segment of the song explains what these opponents are doing. They slander and lie, with their sins targeting the psalmist. Apparently, the writer has tried to do good for these people, but they respond with hate.

The psalmist, probably David, calls on the Lord for help. He is under siege in the form of lies, hatred, and slander. Though David has shown them love, they respond with attacks. He prays that God would deliver punishment to these enemies. David's requests are harsh and even include the families of these opponents. Ultimately, David trusts God to provide rescue. He hopes that it will be clear to all that it was the Lord who rescued Him.

Certain psalms are labeled "imprecatory," meaning they call for God's wrath and punishment on some enemy. This is one example, along with others such as Psalms 5, 10, 17, 35, 58, 59, 69, 70, 79, 83, 129, 137, and 140. These do not promise revenge or an intent to act; they are pleas for the Lord to respond with harsh vengeance. This psalm is not associated with any specific event or incident.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/21/2024 9:01:06 AM