Psa 109 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Ps 109:1-31: Ps 109 The psalmist begins this lament with a general charge against his accusers: They do evil in return for good (109:1-5 ). At the end of the psalm, he turns to the Lord in prayer, asking for his protection (109:21-25 ) and vengeance (109:26-31 ). 109:1 The psalmist sees no evidence that God cares (see 28:1 ).

Summary for Ps 109:1-31: Ps 109 ^a The psalmist begins this lament with a general charge against his accusers: They do evil in return for good (109:1-5 ^b). At the end of the psalm, he turns to the Lord in prayer, asking for his protection (109:21-25 ^c) and vengeance (109:26-31 ^d). 109:1 ^e The psalmist sees no evidence that God cares (see 28:1 ^f).
Summary for Ps 109:4-5: 109:4-5 ^g The psalmist’s acts of kindness and godliness (see 35:12-14 ^h) have only met with stubborn opposition and expressions of hatred.
Summary for Ps 109:6-19: 109:6-19 ⁱ The NLT translates these verses as the words of the psalmist’s accusers; Hebrew lacks They say, which makes it unclear who is speaking.
Summary for Ps 109:8-11: 109:8-11 ^j Family members of those guilty of capital crimes often died with the perpetrator (Num 16:1-33 ^k; Josh 7:1-25 ^l) or had their property confiscated (1 Kgs 21:13-16 ^m). 109:8 ⁿ The wicked person apparently held a position of leadership. Peter referred to this psalm in regard to Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:20-26 ^o).
109:13 ^p If one’s family name was blotted out, it meant there was no offspring to carry on the family name or remember its history (see Prov 10:7 ^q).
109:14 ^r Children inherit the sinful nature of their parents (51:5 ^s; Exod 20:5 ^t; Eph 2:3 ^u). The speaker wants the Lord to punish the perpetrator for the guilt of family members who went before him (cp. Matt 23:35-36 ^v).
109:16 ^w The defendant committed capital crimes and did not exercise even basic decency.
109:18 ^x Cursing is the accused person’s whole way of life.
109:20 ^y The psalmist appeals to the principle of retribution (see 94:23 ^z).
Summary for Ps 109:21-25: 109:21-25 ^aa Vulnerable and miserable, the psalmist appeals to his Lord for help. The accusations have killed his inner spirit and even his physical stamina. 109:21 ^ab The Lord’s reputation is at stake. If the wicked triumph, others could think that the Lord is also wicked and be drawn to that wickedness (1:1 ^ac).
109:23 ^ad A shadow at dusk suggests a transitory, empty existence (102:11 ^ae; 144:4 ^af); a single locust could easily be brushed off one’s clothing.
Summary for Ps 109:26-31: 109:26-31 ^ag These verses form a prayer for God’s presence and for vindication. The psalmist wants everyone to see that he is vindicated by the Lord, not by any human agent.
109:28 ^ah The Lord’s servant demonstrates loyalty and obedience.
109:29 ^ai The psalmist had been accused of being clothed with curses (109:18 ^aj); now he asks that his accusers be clothed with disgrace and humiliation.