
Text -- Psalms 109:1 (NET)




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collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Wesley -> Psa 109:1
The author and matter of all my praises.
JFB: Psa 109:1 - -- The writer complains of his virulent enemies, on whom he imprecates God's righteous punishment, and to a prayer for a divine interposition in his beha...
The writer complains of his virulent enemies, on whom he imprecates God's righteous punishment, and to a prayer for a divine interposition in his behalf appends the expression of his confidence and a promise of his praises. This Psalm is remarkable for the number and severity of its imprecations. Its evident typical character (compare Psa 109:8) justifies the explanation of these already given, that as the language of David respecting his own enemies, or those of Christ, it has respect not to the penitent, but to the impenitent and implacable foes of good men, and of God and His cause, whose inevitable fate is thus indicated by inspired authority. (Psa. 109:1-31)
Clarke -> Psa 109:1
Hold not thy peace - Be not silent; arise and defend my cause.
Calvin -> Psa 109:1
Calvin: Psa 109:1 - -- 1.O God of my praise! be not silent In these words, which may be considered as an introduction to the psalm, David declares that he neither could fin...
1.O God of my praise! be not silent In these words, which may be considered as an introduction to the psalm, David declares that he neither could find nor would desire any other than God to stand forward in vindication of the integrity of his heart. For in denominating him the God of his praise, he intrusts to him the vindication of his innocence, in the face of the calumnies by which he was all but universally assailed. Some are of opinion that this clause is to be understood as referring to David’s having actually declared that he himself was the publisher of God’s praises; but the scope of the passage is opposed to such an interpretation; for we find David appealing to the judgment of God against the unjust and cruel hatred to which he was subjected in the world. There is in the words an implied contrast, because, when calumny is rampant, innocence is duly and properly estimated by none but God only. The meaning of the passage is this: Lord, although I may be regarded as the vilest of the vile, and exposed to the reproach of the world, yet thou wilt maintain the uprightness of my character, and on this account thou wilt also set forth my praise. 295 This interpretation corresponds well with that which is immediately subjoined, be not silent For when we are overwhelmed by the aspersions of the wicked, it would surely be improper on the part of God, who is the witness of our innocence, to remain silent. At the same time, what I formerly stated must not be forgotten, that while David mourns over the injuries which he in particular was suffering, yet, in his own person, he represented Christ, and the whole body of his Church. From this we are taught, when we are subjected to every species of indignity by men, to repose with perfect confidence under the protection of God alone. No man, however, can, with sincerity of heart, surrender himself entirely into the hand of God, except he has first formed the resolution of treating with contempt the reproaches of the world, and is also fully persuaded that he has God as the defender of his cause.
Defender -> Psa 109:1
Defender: Psa 109:1 - -- Psalm 109 is an aggressive imprecatory psalm (see notes on Psa 5:1-12) with David praying earnestly for God's severe judgment on his enemies. This typ...
Psalm 109 is an aggressive imprecatory psalm (see notes on Psa 5:1-12) with David praying earnestly for God's severe judgment on his enemies. This type of prayer should be viewed not in terms of desired vengeance on an enemy because of his treatment of the injured person, but rather in terms of the anti-God motivation leading to such enmity. Note Psa 109:4 : "For my love [that is, 'my love of God'] they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer." We should not take vengeance on our enemies, even those who are first of all God's enemies, but commit such vengeance to God in prayer. "Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Rom 12:19). "For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul" (Psa 109:31)."
TSK -> Psa 109:1
TSK: Psa 109:1 - -- am 2942, bc 1062 (Title), It is generally supposed that this Psalm was composed by David, when persecuted by Saul, who was rendered more implacable by...
am 2942, bc 1062 (Title), It is generally supposed that this Psalm was composed by David, when persecuted by Saul, who was rendered more implacable by the base and malicious calumnies of Doeg and others; though some are of opinion, that it was written when David fled from Absalom, and that Ahithophel, rather than Doeg, is the typical person against whom it is principally directed.
Hold : Psa 28:1, Psa 35:22, Psa 35:23, Psa 83:1; Isa 42:14
O God : Psa 118:28; Exo 15:2; Deu 10:21; Jer 17:14

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> Psa 109:1
Barnes: Psa 109:1 - -- Hold not thy peace - That is, Speak for my defense - as if God had looked with unconcern on the wrongs which were done to him. See the notes at...
Hold not thy peace - That is, Speak for my defense - as if God had looked with unconcern on the wrongs which were done to him. See the notes at Psa 83:1.
O God of my praise - The God whom I praise; whom I worship and adore. It implies that he was accustomed to praise him, and desired still to praise him. He sought that God would interpose now that he might have new occasion for praise.
Christ's exultation, and everlasting priesthood.

Haydock: Psa 109:1 - -- David. It is of faith that he wrote this psalm on the Messias. The Jews, in our Saviour's time, were convinced of it, (Matthew xxii. 42.) so that t...
David. It is of faith that he wrote this psalm on the Messias. The Jews, in our Saviour's time, were convinced of it, (Matthew xxii. 42.) so that their posterity (Berthier) in vain attempts to explain it of Abraham, David, Solomon, Ezechias, Zorobabel. (St. Chrysostom) ---
Even some of the candidly own that it can relate to no other, (Thalmud) and Christians are universally of this belief. (Calmet) ---
Lord. Hebrew Jehova, (Haydock) the Father. (Menochius) ---
To my Lord. Hebrew Ladoni, (Haydock) the Son incarnate, (Menochius) Lord of all, though the son of David. (Worthington) ---
Who else could be David's superior? as Christ argues. (Haydock) ---
The title Adonoi is given to God, (ver. 5., &c.; Calmet) as my is never united with the ineffable name. ---
Hand. In equal power (Berthier) as God, and in the highest dignity as man, after the ascension. (Calmet) ---
This thought should encourage us to suffer patiently, (Colossians iii. 1.) as Christ was to suffer, and thus to enter into his glory. The saints did not strive to divide him. But we would suffer nothing, and yet be glorified at the hour of our death! (Berthier) ---
Until. This word does not always mark the term of a thing. When all shall be subdued, then Christ will continue to it with greater majesty, (1 Corinthians xv. 25.; Calmet) for ever. (Worthington) (Hebrews x. 13.) ---
Footstool. As was customary with conquerors, Josue x. 24.
Gill -> Psa 109:1
Gill: Psa 109:1 - -- Hold not thy peace,.... Or be not as a deaf or dumb man, or like one that turns a deaf ear and will give no answer; so the Lord seems to his people wh...
Hold not thy peace,.... Or be not as a deaf or dumb man, or like one that turns a deaf ear and will give no answer; so the Lord seems to his people when he does not give an immediate answer to their prayers, and does not arise to help them; he seems to have forsaken them, and to stand at a distance from them; nor does he avenge them of their enemies; it is the Messiah, as man, that puts up this petition, and it agrees with Psa 22:2.
O God of my praise; worthy of all praise, because of the perfections of his nature, and for the mercies he bestows; and is and ought to be the constant object of the praise of his people, and was the object of the praise of Christ; see Psa 22:22, who praised him for his wonderful formation as man, having such a holy human nature, so suitable to his divine Person, and so fit for the service of his people; for his preservation from his enemies, and the deliverance of him from death and the grave, by his resurrection; for hearing his petitions, and for the special grace bestowed on his people; see Psa 139:14. Or, "O God of my glorying w"; in whom he gloried, of whom he boasted; as he often with exultation spoke of him as his God and Father: or, "the God that praises me"; for his praise was not of men, but of God, who by a voice from heaven declared him his beloved Son, in whom he was well pleased, Mat 3:17.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Psa 109:1-31
TSK Synopsis: Psa 109:1-31 - --1 David, complaining of his slanderous enemies, under the person of Judas devotes them.16 He shews their sin.21 Complaining of his own misery, he pray...
MHCC -> Psa 109:1-5
MHCC: Psa 109:1-5 - --It is the unspeakable comfort of all believers, that whoever is against them, God is for them; and to him they may apply as to one pleased to concern ...
Matthew Henry -> Psa 109:1-5
Matthew Henry: Psa 109:1-5 - -- It is the unspeakable comfort of all good people that, whoever is against them, God is for them, and to him they may apply as to one that is pleased...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Psa 109:1-5
Keil-Delitzsch: Psa 109:1-5 - --
A sign for help and complaints of ungrateful persecutors form the beginning of the Psalm. "God of my praise"is equivalent to God, who art my praise,...
Constable: Psa 107:1--150:6 - --V. Book 5: chs. 107--150
There are 44 psalms in this section of the Psalter. David composed 15 of these (108-110...

Constable: Psa 109:1-31 - --Psalm 109
This is one of the imprecatory psalms in which the writer called on God to avenge his enemies.

Constable: Psa 109:1-5 - --1. Lament over enemies 109:1-5
David asked God to respond to his prayer for vindication. He had ...
