May his descendants be cut off; may their name be blotted out from the next generation. May his descendants be cut offThe phrase "may his descendants be cut off" is a powerful invocation of divine justice. The Hebrew root for "cut off" is "karath," which often implies a complete severance or destruction. In the context of ancient Israel, lineage and descendants were crucial for the continuation of one's name and legacy. This phrase suggests a total cessation of the family line, which would have been seen as a severe punishment. Historically, the cutting off of descendants was considered a curse, as it meant the end of one's influence and memory in the community. This reflects the psalmist's plea for justice against those who have acted wickedly, emphasizing the seriousness of their transgressions. may their name be blotted out
The concept of a name being "blotted out" is deeply rooted in the Hebrew understanding of memory and legacy. The Hebrew word "machah" means to wipe out or obliterate. In ancient times, a person's name was synonymous with their identity and reputation. To have one's name blotted out was to be erased from history, a fate feared by many. This phrase underscores the psalmist's desire for the complete removal of the wicked from the annals of history, ensuring that their influence and memory do not persist. It is a call for divine intervention to ensure that justice prevails and that the wicked do not continue to impact future generations. from the next generation
The phrase "from the next generation" highlights the enduring impact of one's actions on future generations. In the biblical context, the actions of an individual often had repercussions for their descendants. This reflects the communal nature of ancient Israelite society, where the deeds of one could affect the entire family line. The psalmist's plea for the name to be blotted out from the next generation indicates a desire for the cessation of the wicked's influence beyond their immediate lifetime. It is a call for a fresh start, free from the corruption and sin of the past, allowing the next generation to thrive without the burden of their ancestors' iniquities. This reflects a hope for renewal and righteousness to prevail in the community. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 109, David is expressing a deep lament and imprecation against his enemies. 2. Enemies of DavidThe psalm is directed towards those who have wronged David, possibly including figures like Saul or other adversaries. 3. GodThe ultimate judge and the one to whom David appeals for justice against his enemies. 4. DescendantsThe offspring of David's enemies, who are mentioned in the context of the curse. 5. GenerationsThe concept of lineage and legacy, which is significant in the context of blessings and curses in the Hebrew tradition. Teaching Points Understanding Imprecatory PsalmsRecognize the context and purpose of imprecatory psalms as expressions of deep anguish and a call for divine justice, not personal vengeance. Generational ImpactReflect on how our actions can affect future generations, both positively and negatively, and strive to leave a legacy of righteousness. Trust in Divine JusticeEmphasize the importance of trusting God to handle injustices rather than taking matters into our own hands. Prayer for EnemiesWhile acknowledging the raw emotions in the psalm, consider the New Testament call to pray for and love our enemies. Legacy and MemoryEncourage believers to live in a way that their name and legacy are remembered for righteousness and faithfulness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the historical and cultural context of David's life help us interpret Psalm 109:13? 2. In what ways can the concept of generational consequences seen in this verse apply to our lives today? 3. How do the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament challenge or complement the sentiments expressed in Psalm 109:13? 4. What are some practical ways we can ensure that our legacy is one of righteousness and faithfulness? 5. How can we balance the raw emotions expressed in imprecatory psalms with the call to love and pray for our enemies as taught in the New Testament? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:5This verse speaks about the iniquity of the fathers being visited upon the children, which connects to the idea of generational consequences seen in Psalm 109:13. Proverbs 10:7Discusses the memory of the righteous being blessed, contrasting with the desire for the wicked's name to be blotted out. Jeremiah 18:23Jeremiah also calls for God to deal with his persecutors, similar to David's plea in Psalm 109. Matthew 5:44Jesus teaches to love enemies and pray for those who persecute you, offering a New Testament perspective on dealing with adversaries. Romans 12:19Paul advises believers to leave vengeance to God, aligning with the theme of seeking divine justice. People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Blotted, Cut, Cutting, Generation, Memory, Names, Posterity, SeedDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 109:13 5043 names, significance Psalm 109:6-20 6040 sinners Psalm 109:8-14 5496 revenge, examples Library Psalm. Cix. 21. ; Micah, vi. 9
Psalm. cix. 21.; Micah, vi. 9. Sweet is Thy mercy, O my God! When humbled at Thy feet, I learn the lessons of Thy rod, Thy mercy, Lord, is sweet. For Thou dost not in wrath chastise, But when I go astray, "Return," a voice behind me cries, "Walk here;--this is the way." Impatient of Thine easy yoke, If heedless yet I roam, Some sharp affliction, with a stroke Of kindness, warns me home. That godly sorrow then I feel, Which nothing can control, Until the hand that wounded, heal, That bruised me, …
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and HymnsIf Anyone Shall Say that Jesus as Man is Only Energized by the Word Of...
If anyone shall say that Jesus as man is only energized by the Word of God, and that the glory of the Only-begotten is attributed to him as something not properly his: let him be anathema. Notes. Nestorius. VII. If any one says that the man who was formed of the Virgin is the Only-begotten, who was born from the bosom of the Father, before the morning star was (Ps. cix., 3) [256] , and does not rather confess that he has obtained the designation of Only-begotten on account of his connection with …
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils First Antiphon and Psalm
Third Tone (a ending) Chanter Dum esset rex Choir in accubitu suo, nardus mea dedit odorem suavitatis. Alleluia. Dixit Dominus (Psalm 109) 1. Dixit Dominus, Domino meo: Sede a dextris meis: 2. Donec ponam inimicos tuos, scabellum pedum tuorum. 3. Virgam virtutis tuae emitte Dominus ex Sion: dominare in medio inimicorum tuorem. 4. Tecum principium in die virtutis tuae in splendoribus sanctorum: ex utero ante luciferum genui te. 5. Juravit Dominus, et non paenitebit eum: Tu es sacerdos in aeternum …
Various—The St. Gregory Hymnal and Catholic Choir Book Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Fourteenth Day. Endurance in Contradiction.
"Who endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself."-- Heb. xii. 3. What endurance was this! Perfect truth in the midst of error; perfect love in the midst of ingratitude and coldness; perfect rectitude in the midst of perjury, violence, fraud; perfect constancy in the midst of contumely and desertion; perfect innocence, confronting every debased form of depravity and guilt; perfect patience, encountering every species of gross provocation--"oppressed and afflicted, He opened not His mouth!" …
John R. Macduff—The Mind of Jesus Ninth Day for God's Spirit on Our Mission Work
WHAT TO PRAY.--For God's Spirit on our Mission Work "The evangelisation of the world depends first of all upon a revival of prayer. Deeper than the need for men--ay, deep down at the bottom of our spiritless life, is the need for the forgotten secret of prevailing, world-wide prayer." "As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul. Then when they had fasted and prayed, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed."--ACTS …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession Bunsen's Biblical Researches.
When geologists began to ask whether changes in the earth's structure might be explained by causes still in operation, they did not disprove the possibility of great convulsions, but they lessened necessity for imagining them. So, if a theologian has his eyes opened to the Divine energy as continuous and omnipresent, he lessens the sharp contrast of epochs in Revelation, but need not assume that the stream has never varied in its flow. Devotion raises time present into the sacredness of the past; …
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World A Discourse of Mercifulness
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 These verses, like the stairs of Solomon's temple, cause our ascent to the holy of holies. We are now mounting up a step higher. Blessed are the merciful . . '. There was never more need to preach of mercifulness than in these unmerciful times wherein we live. It is reported in the life of Chrysostom that he preached much on this subject of mercifulness, and for his much pressing Christians to mercy, he was called of many, the alms-preacher, …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 How Intent the Ruler Ought to be on Meditations in the Sacred Law.
But all this is duly executed by a ruler, if, inspired by the spirit of heavenly fear and love, he meditate daily on the precepts of Sacred Writ, that the words of Divine admonition may restore in him the power of solicitude and of provident circumspection with regard to the celestial life, which familiar intercourse with men continually destroys; and that one who is drawn to oldness of life by secular society may by the aspiration of compunction be ever renewed to love of the spiritual country. …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Water of Life;
OR, A DISCOURSE SHOWING THE RICHNESS AND GLORY OF THE GRACE AND SPIRIT OF THE GOSPEL, AS SET FORTH IN SCRIPTURE BY THIS TERM, THE WATER OF LIFE. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.'--Revelation 22:17 London: Printed for Nathanael Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1688. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Often, and in every age, the children of God have dared to doubt the sufficiency of divine grace; whether it was vast enough to reach their condition--to cleanse …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 109:13 NIVPsalm 109:13 NLTPsalm 109:13 ESVPsalm 109:13 NASBPsalm 109:13 KJV
Psalm 109:13 Commentaries
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