Psalm 109:4
New International Version
In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.

New Living Translation
I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations even as I am praying for them!

English Standard Version
In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.

Berean Standard Bible
In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.

King James Bible
For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.

New King James Version
In return for my love they are my accusers, But I give myself to prayer.

New American Standard Bible
In return for my love they act as my accusers; But I am in prayer.

NASB 1995
In return for my love they act as my accusers; But I am in prayer.

NASB 1977
In return for my love they act as my accusers; But I am in prayer.

Legacy Standard Bible
In return for my love they accuse me; But I am in prayer.

Amplified Bible
In return for my love, they attack me, But I am in prayer.

Christian Standard Bible
In return for my love they accuse me, but I continue to pray.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
In return for my love they accuse me, but I continue to pray.

American Standard Version
For my love they are my adversaries: But I give myself unto prayer.

Contemporary English Version
I had pity and prayed for my enemies, but their words to me were harsh and cruel.

English Revised Version
For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In return for my love, they accuse me, but I pray for them.

Good News Translation
They oppose me, even though I love them and have prayed for them.

International Standard Version
Instead of receiving my love, they accuse me, though I continue in prayer.

Majority Standard Bible
In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.

NET Bible
They repay my love with accusations, but I continue to pray.

New Heart English Bible
In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I am in prayer.

Webster's Bible Translation
For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself to prayer.

World English Bible
In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I am in prayer.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For my love they oppose me, and I—prayer!

Young's Literal Translation
For my love they oppose me, and I -- prayer!

Smith's Literal Translation
For my love they will oppose me: and I for prayer.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Instead of making me a return of love, they detracted me: but I gave myself to prayer.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Instead of choosing to act on my behalf, they detracted me. But I gave myself to prayer.

New American Bible
In return for my love they slander me, even though I prayed for them.

New Revised Standard Version
In return for my love they accuse me, even while I make prayer for them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For my love they reproach me; but I have prayed for them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In exchange for my love they regarded me with malice, and I have been praying for them.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
In return for my love they are my adversaries; But I am all prayer.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Instead of loving me, they falsely accused me: but I continued to pray.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Song of the Slandered
3They surround me with hateful words and attack me without cause. 4In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. 5They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my love.…

Cross References
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Luke 6:27-28
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Matthew 5:10-12
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. / Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

Luke 23:34
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.

Acts 7:60
Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

1 Corinthians 4:12-13
We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; / when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Exodus 23:4-5
If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.

Job 31:29-30
If I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him— / I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse—

Proverbs 24:17-18
Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, / or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him.

Genesis 50:17-21
‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. / His brothers also came to him, bowed down before him, and said, “We are your slaves!” / But Joseph replied, “Do not be afraid. Am I in the place of God? ...


Treasury of Scripture

For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself to prayer.

for my

Psalm 35:7,12
For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul…

Psalm 38:20
They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.

2 Samuel 13:39
And the soul of king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.

but I

Psalm 55:16,17
As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me…

Psalm 69:12,13
They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards…

2 Samuel 15:31,32
And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness…

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Accuse Accusers Act Adversaries Friendship Hate Love Oppose Prayer
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Accuse Accusers Act Adversaries Friendship Hate Love Oppose Prayer
Psalm 109
1. David complains of his slanderous enemies
16. He shows their sin
21. Complaining of his own misery, he prays for help
29. He promises thankfulness














In return for my love they accuse me
This phrase reflects the experience of betrayal and false accusation despite showing love and kindness. In the biblical context, David often faced opposition and slander from those he sought to help or lead, such as Saul and his followers. This mirrors the experience of Jesus Christ, who was falsely accused and betrayed by those He came to save (Matthew 26:59-61). The cultural context of ancient Israel placed a high value on loyalty and community, making betrayal particularly painful. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical theme of suffering for righteousness' sake, as seen in 1 Peter 3:16-17, where believers are encouraged to maintain a good conscience despite false accusations.

but I am a man of prayer
David's response to accusation and betrayal is to turn to prayer, highlighting his reliance on God rather than seeking revenge. This reflects the biblical principle of seeking God's guidance and strength in times of trouble, as seen in Philippians 4:6-7, where believers are encouraged to present their requests to God with thanksgiving. The phrase underscores the importance of maintaining a relationship with God through prayer, even when facing adversity. David's example is a type of Christ, who also turned to prayer in times of distress, such as in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:41-44). This reliance on prayer demonstrates a deep trust in God's justice and timing, aligning with the teachings of Jesus on loving enemies and praying for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44).

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 109, David is expressing his distress over being wronged by those he has shown love to.

2. Enemies
The individuals or groups who have falsely accused and opposed David despite his love and goodwill towards them.

3. Prayer
A central theme in this verse, highlighting David's response to adversity and false accusations.
Teaching Points
Responding with Prayer
When faced with false accusations or mistreatment, our first response should be to turn to God in prayer, seeking His guidance and strength.

Love in Action
True love persists even when it is not reciprocated. David's love for his accusers, despite their betrayal, is a model for us to follow.

Trust in God's Justice
Instead of seeking personal vengeance, trust that God sees the injustice and will act in His perfect timing.

The Power of Prayer
Prayer is not just a reaction but a proactive stance that aligns our hearts with God's will and brings peace amidst turmoil.

Endurance in Faith
Maintaining a prayerful attitude in adversity strengthens our faith and witness to others.(4) For my love . . .--i.e., in return for my love I give myself unto prayer. For a concise expression of the same kind as "I prayer," see Psalm 120:7, "I peace." Of course the psalmist means, that in the face of all the taunts and reproaches of his maligners, he simply and naturally has recourse to prayer, and, as the context seems to indicate, prayer for them.

Verse 4. - For my love they are my adversaries. The tenderness and kindness of the good towards wicked men does not soften them. Rather it provokes them to greater hostility. This was seen clearly in the instance of Saul. But I give myself unto prayer; literally, but I prayer; i.e. "but I am wholly prayer," "I do nothing during their attacks on me but pray for them."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
In return for
תַּֽחַת־ (ta·ḥaṯ-)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

my love
אַהֲבָתִ֥י (’a·hă·ḇā·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 160: Love (noun)

they accuse me,
יִשְׂטְנ֗וּנִי (yiś·ṭə·nū·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common singular
Strong's 7853: To be or act as adversary

but I [am a man]
וַאֲנִ֥י (wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

[of] prayer.
תְפִלָּֽה׃ (ṯə·p̄il·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8605: Intercession, supplication, a hymn


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OT Poetry: Psalm 109:4 In return for my love they (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 109:3
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