May their place be deserted;
This phrase reflects a call for divine judgment, often seen in imprecatory psalms where the psalmist seeks justice against enemies. The concept of a "deserted place" signifies complete desolation and abandonment, a common theme in the Old Testament when describing the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. This imagery is reminiscent of the curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28:37, where disobedience leads to desolation. Theologically, it underscores the seriousness of opposing God's anointed and the inevitable divine retribution that follows.

let there be no one to dwell in their tents.
The reference to "tents" evokes the nomadic lifestyle of ancient Israel, where tents were a symbol of habitation and community. The absence of inhabitants signifies not only physical desolation but also the loss of community and continuity. This phrase is echoed in the New Testament in Acts 1:20, where it is applied to Judas Iscariot, highlighting the fulfillment of prophecy and the consequences of betrayal. Theologically, it serves as a warning against unfaithfulness and the ultimate justice of God. The imagery of empty tents also connects to the broader biblical theme of exile and the loss of God's presence among His people.

1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 69, David is expressing deep distress and calling for divine justice against his enemies.

2. Enemies of David
The individuals or groups who oppose David, causing him suffering and persecution.

3. Deserted Place
Symbolic of desolation and divine judgment, where the enemies' dwelling places are left uninhabited.

4. Tents
Represents the homes or places of security for David's adversaries, which he prays will be abandoned.

5. Divine Justice
The overarching theme of the psalm, where David seeks God's intervention against those who wrong him.Understanding Imprecatory Prayers
Imprecatory prayers, like those in Psalm 69, reflect a deep yearning for God's justice. They remind us of the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine judgment.

Trusting in God's Justice
Believers are encouraged to trust in God's timing and justice rather than seeking personal vengeance. This psalm teaches us to bring our grievances to God, trusting Him to act righteously.

The Consequences of Sin
The desolation of the enemies' places serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of living in opposition to God's will. It calls us to examine our own lives and align with God's purposes.

The Fulfillment in Christ
The New Testament application of this psalm in the context of Judas Iscariot shows how Old Testament scriptures find fulfillment in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Enemies
While the psalmist prays for desolation upon his enemies, Jesus teaches us to pray for those who persecute us, highlighting the transformative power of grace.1. What is the meaning of Psalm 69:25?

2. How does Psalm 69:25 reflect God's judgment on the unrepentant?

3. What does "desolate" in Psalm 69:25 reveal about consequences of rejecting God?

4. How does Psalm 69:25 connect to Acts 1:20 regarding Judas' betrayal?

5. How can Psalm 69:25 guide us in praying for justice today?

6. What lessons from Psalm 69:25 can we apply to our spiritual walk?

7. What is the historical context of Psalm 69:25?

8. How does Psalm 69:25 relate to the destruction of Jerusalem?

9. Why is Psalm 69:25 quoted in the New Testament?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 69?

11. Psalm 69 is frequently seen as messianic—what evidence exists that the text was originally about Jesus rather than solely about the psalmist’s circumstances?

12. Matthew 27:5 describes Judas hanging himself, yet Acts 1:18 gives a different account; how can these two explanations be reconciled?

13. How can the psalmist abide in God's 'tabernacle forever' (Ps 61:4) when Jewish worship practices and structures changed over time?

14. Psalm 69:22-28 calls down curses on enemies--how does this fit with other biblical teachings on mercy and forgiveness (e.g., Matthew 5:44)?May their place be deserted

• David, the human author of Psalm 69, is crying out because ruthless enemies are hounding him for standing with the LORD. He prays, “May their place be deserted” (Psalm 69:25), asking that the very ground they occupy be emptied.

• “Place” points to property, position, and even legacy. When God judges, He can remove every trace of wicked influence. Compare:

‑ Deuteronomy 29:23—after judgment the land “will be a burning waste, unsown and unproductive.”

‑ Jeremiah 12:10-11—the land becomes “a desolate wasteland.”

‑ Psalm 109:8—“May his days be few; may another take his position.”

• Acts 1:20 treats this line as prophecy fulfilled in Judas Iscariot: “May his place be deserted.” Judas’s field literally became “Akeldama… a Field of Blood” (Matthew 27:8) and lies as a testimony that betrayal of God’s Anointed carries real-world consequences.

• The prayer is not petty revenge; it is a plea for God’s righteous justice. Romans 12:19 reminds believers, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” David entrusts the outcome to God, confident that every action will be weighed fairly.

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Let there be no one to dwell in their tents

• The second half intensifies the request. Empty land is one thing; empty homes signal total removal of descendants and influence. In ancient Israel, a tent represented family life, security, and future generations (Genesis 18:1).

• Other passages echo this sweeping judgment:

‑ Numbers 16:26-33—Korah’s tents are swallowed up after rebellion.

‑ Job 18:15—“Fire resides in his tent… brimstone is scattered on his dwelling.”

‑ Revelation 18:2—Babylon becomes “a haunt for every unclean spirit,” no people left to inhabit it.

• Acts 1:20 again links the phrase to Judas. Not only his personal plot of ground but his entire lineage ends abruptly—no one “dwells in his tent.” The prophecy hit the target with chilling precision.

• The statement also foreshadows the final separation God will bring. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 says God “will repay with affliction those who afflict you” and banish them “from the presence of the Lord.” Psalm 69:25 pictures that banishment in earthy, tangible terms.

• For believers, the verse underlines two truths:

‑ Opposition to God and His Messiah carries unavoidable, tangible judgment.

‑ God Himself executes justice; our role is to stay faithful and leave outcomes in His hands (1 Peter 2:23).

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summary

Psalm 69:25 calls for God to erase the foothold of the wicked—first their “place,” then their “tents.” David’s cry finds a literal fulfillment in Judas, as Acts 1:20 confirms, and foreshadows the ultimate judgment awaiting all persistent enemies of Christ. The verse reassures the faithful that God sees, remembers, and will act decisively, turning every plot against His people into a deserted wasteland while preserving those who trust in Him.

(25) Habitation.--The derivation is from a word meaning circle, and a better rendering is therefore encampment or village. Nomadic tribes pitch their tents in an enclosed ring. The derivation of the English town is precisely similar. The desolation of his homestead was, to the Arab, the most frightful of calamities. (Comp. Job 18:15. For St. Peter's use of this verse, combined with Psalm 109:8, see Acts 1:20, and Note, New Testament Commentary.)

Verse 25. - Let their habitation be desolate; literally, their encampment Tirah (טִירָה) is the circular enclosure of a nomadic tribe, within which it kept its cattle or took refuge itself (Genesis 26:16; Numbers 31:10). Nomadic expressions remained in use after nomadic habits had ceased (see 1 Kings 12:16). And let none dwell in their tents. A duplication of the preceding clause.

Parallel Commentaries ...


May
תְּהִי־ (tə·hî-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

their place
טִֽירָתָ֥ם (ṭî·rā·ṯām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2918: A wall, a fortress, a hamlet

be deserted;
נְשַׁמָּ֑ה (nə·šam·māh)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 8074: To stun, devastate, stupefy

let there be no one
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

to dwell
יֹשֵֽׁב׃ (yō·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in their tents.
בְּ֝אָהֳלֵיהֶ֗ם (bə·’ā·ho·lê·hem)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 168: A tent


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OT Poetry: Psalm 69:25 Let their habitation be desolate (Psalm Ps Psa.)