Studies in the Psalms - Psalm 109

Psalm 109 is the last of the imprecatory psalms, psalms that cry out to God for vengeance to come upon an enemy. However, it also has messianic implications and is called a “Judas Iscariot” psalm, because Peter quotes it in reference to Judas.   Acts 1:20, “For it is written in the Book of Psalms, “‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’; and “‘Let another take his office.”

There was a time in my life when I would go to the abortion clinic and pray imprecatory prayers against those who operate these horrible death mills, but as I’ve grown in my faith, I now try and let God be in charge of determining judgment. Though I still pray God will move however He sees fit in destroying the clinics, I try to pray more for salvation to come to those who are behind the murder of our babies in the womb. The Gospel is the answer to this life.

Psalm 109:1-5

Be not silent, O God of my praise!  For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues.  They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause.  In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.  So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

It is easy to see that Jesus was treated as the psalmist describes.

Psalm 109:16-19
For he did not remember to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted, to put them to death.  He loved to curse; let curses come upon him! He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him!  He clothed himself with cursing as his coat; may it soak into his body like water, like oil into his bones!  May it be like a garment that he wraps around him, like a belt that he puts on every day!

While Judas fits into this psalm, along with all who pursued the crucifixion of Christ, there are still people in the world today who also fit the description in these verses.

Psalm 109:21-27
But you, O GOD my Lord, deal on my behalf for your name’s sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!  For I am poor and needy, and my heart is stricken within me.  I am gone like a shadow at evening; I am shaken off like a locust.  My knees are weak through fasting; my body has become gaunt, with no fat.  I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they wag their heads.  Help me, O LORD my God! Save me according to your steadfast love!  Let them know that this is your hand; you, O LORD, have done it!

But who of us can escape the judgment of the most holy God? Without the blood of Christ covering us, we also deserve the brunt of God’s wrath. But as the psalm says, we can cry out to God to act on behalf of His name’s sake and because of God’s steadfast love, He will deliver us if we cry out to Him.

Psalm 109:30-31
With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD; I will praise him in the midst of the throng.  For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.

In truth, we all should be condemned. But praise be to God, He loved the world so much that He sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to save us.

With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD; I will praise him in the midst of the throng.  For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.

Amen