Psalm 109 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Psalm 109 Short Summary:

Psalm 109 is an imprecatory psalm. David called out to God to help him with oppressive critics and to bring a series of curses on his enemies. David’s enemies were lying about him and falsely accusing him for a long time. He was exhausted by the constant harassing and asked God to give them a taste of their own medicine.

Psalm 109 Summary

AUTHOR:

• David is the author of Psalm 109.

NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES:

• Acts 1:20, Matthew 27:39

THEMES:

• David recognizes that he needs God’s help to deal with the wicked men who surround him.

• David prays to God to curse his enemies.

DEFINITIONS:

• Imprecation – A curse spoken over a person or a group of people. Psalm 109 is an imprecatory psalm, one in which David prays for the downfall of his enemies. Imprecatory psalms were discussed in greater detail in the application section of Psalm 5.

• Posterity (109:13) – The descendants of a person.

OUTLINE:

• A CURSE AGAINST DAVID’S ACCUSERS (109:1-20):

  • The first part of Psalm 109 is a record of a curse David spoke over his enemies.

  • He was encircled by men who hated him, lied about him, and accused him falsely.

  • They returned David love with hatred.

  • David was fed up with them and asked the Lord to send a number of curses on them.

  • He asked God to send accusers against them and for them to be found guilty.  

  • He asked God for their lives to be cut short. For their wives to be widows and their children orphans.

  • For them to fall into poverty and be harassed by creditors.

  • For no one to extend kindness to them.

  • For their family line to be cut off.

  • These wicked people not only pursued David with evil intentions, but they also oppressed poor and needy people in their community.

  • David wrote that these men cursed others so much it was as if they wore curses as clothing.

  • He prayed that those curses would sink into their skin and give them a taste of their own medicine.

• DAVID ASKS THE LORD FOR HELP (109:21-31):

  • David was angry with these terrible men, but he didn’t seek vengeance without the counsel of the Lord.

  • It appears David had been oppressed by these men for a long time.

  • He recognized his weaknesses, and he prayed that the Lord would help with the situation.

  • When the consequences for these men’s wickedness finally arrived, he wanted everyone to know that it was the Lord who brought them.

  • David prayed confidently as he waited for his day of deliverance, saying, “For He [God] stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death” (109:31).

APPLICATION:

• It’s easy to always read ourselves in as the main character in these psalms.

• We may find it easy to relate to David. We notice other people oppressing us, lying about us, treating us unfairly, and trying to tear us down.

• But let’s make sure to also examine ourselves to ensure we aren’t playing the part of David’s enemies.

• Are we hyper-critical of other people? Are we trying to tear other people down unjustly? Are we willing to lie about others to elevate ourselves? Do we take advantage of others when an opportunity arises? Do we relish when other people stumble?

• It’s easy to see ourselves as the victim all the time.

• It takes a self-aware person and a God-directed person to notice ugly tendencies in one’s own heart that do harm to others.