PsaumesChapitre 109

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For the choirmaster. A psalm of David. God of my praise, do not be silent.

For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit have opened against me; they have spoken against me with a lying tongue.

They surround me with words of hatred 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.

Appoint a wicked man against him; let an accuser stand at his right hand.

When he is tried, let him come out guilty; let his prayer be counted as sin.

Let his days be few; let another take his office.

Let his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.

Let his children wander and beg, seeking food far from their ruined homes.

Let the creditor seize all that he has; let strangers plunder the fruit of his labor.

Let no one extend him kindness; let no one show mercy to his fatherless children.

Let his descendants be cut off; let their name be blotted out in the next generation.

May the guilt of his fathers be remembered before the LORD, and may his mother's sin never be erased.

Let them be before the LORD continually, and may he cut off their memory from the earth.

For he never remembered to show kindness, but hounded the poor and needy and the brokenhearted to their death.

He loved to curse—let it come back on him. He took no delight in blessing—let it stay far from him.

He wore cursing as his garment; let it seep like water into his body, like oil into his bones.

Let it be like the robe he wraps around himself, like the belt he wears every day.

May this be the LORD's payment to my accusers, to those who speak evil against my life.

But you, O GOD my Lord, deal with me for the sake of your name; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me.

For I am poor and needy, and my heart is pierced within me.

I fade like a lengthening shadow; I am shaken off like a locust.

My knees give way from fasting; my body has grown lean and gaunt.

I have become an object of scorn to them; when they see me, they shake their heads.

Help me, O LORD my God; save me according to your steadfast love.

Let them know that this is your hand, that you, O LORD, have done it.

They may curse, but you will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but your servant will rejoice.

Let my accusers be clothed with disgrace; let them wrap themselves in shame as in a cloak.

With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD; I will praise him in the midst of the multitude.

For he stands at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who condemn his soul.

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Résumé2

Chapitre 109

Main Theme: A prayer for God's righteous judgment against false accusers and wicked enemies.

Content: David experiences how enemies repay his love with hatred, lies, and unjust accusations (vv. 1–5). He pronounces extensive curses upon his main adversary—including a short life, the ruin of his family, and the erasure of his memory (vv. 6–19). The psalmist confesses his own distress and weakness, pleading for deliverance for God's name's sake (vv. 21–26). The psalm concludes with confidence that God will bless His servant and stand at the right hand of the poor as their defender (vv. 28–31).

Key Words/Images:

Satan/Accuser (v. 6): An adversary who stands at the enemy's right hand in judgment—contrasting with God, who stands at the right hand of the poor (v. 31).
Curse as Clothing (vv. 18–19): The enemy has clothed himself with a curse like a robe; it enters his inward parts like water and like oil.
Shadow That Fades Away (v. 23): The psalmist describes his own weakness—he is driven away like a shadow and shaken off like a locust.
Love Repaid with Hatred (vv. 4–5): The fundamental injustice of the enemy's conduct—they return evil for good.

Contexte historique

Historical and Cultural Context for Psalm 109

Key Terms

The chapter contains several Hebrew key words that require cultural understanding. The word שָׂטָן (satan, v. 6) here means "accuser" or "adversary"—not the devil in a later theological sense, but a legal opponent who stands at the right hand of the accused in court. The expression יַעֲמֹד עַל־יְמִינֽוֹ ("stand at his right hand") refers to the legal practice where the accuser stood in this position. The same root is used in verse 4 (יִשְׂטְנ֗וּנִי, "they accuse me"), which underscores the legal framework.

The term פְּקֻדָּה (pequddah, v. 8) is often translated as "office" or "service" and is cited in Acts 1:20 regarding Judas's position. In an Old Testament context, it refers to a trusted role or position of responsibility.

Events and Customs

The extensive curses (vv. 6–19) reflect the culture of Old Testament legal proceedings. When the psalmist prays that the enemy's prayer should "become sin" (v. 7), this reflects the belief that a guilty person's prayer is not only ineffective but actually worsens their situation. The curses mentioning a widow, fatherless children, and creditors (vv. 9–11) strike at the most vulnerable points in an Israelite family's existence—without a male head of household, the family lacked legal protection.

The images of the curse as clothing and a belt (vv. 18–19) use metaphors from daily life. A belt (מֵזַח) was an essential garment that held the robe in place during work—the curse should thus become as inseparable from the enemy as his most necessary clothes.

Personnages1

David1

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Mots-clés10

Enemies — Persons who are against or wish to harm another person, in this case the psalmist.
Persecutor — A person who actively hunts down or tries to harm another person, often because of their faith or convictions.
Helpless — A person who lacks the ability or means to protect themselves or handle a situation.
Speak — To express thoughts, ideas, or feelings through words or sounds.
Bless — To ask God to grant favor, protection, or prosperity to someone.
Curses — Evil wishes or prayers intended to harm or bring misfortune upon someone.
Love — A deep feeling of devotion, care, and respect for another person.
Merciful — Showing compassion, grace, and forgiveness toward others, especially those who suffer or need help.
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