Psalms 109 – A Prayer Against a False Accuser

David's raw appeal for justice against an enemy who repaid his love with hatred.

Psalms 109 – David's Prayer Against Enemies

After the victory prayer of Psalms 108, David turns to a bitter complaint, describing an accuser who 'rewarded me evil for good' and asking the LORD to judge him rather than taking revenge himself.


The `title of the hundrid and nynthe salm. `The salm of Dauith. The Lord seide to my Lord; Sitte thou on my riyt side. Til Y putte thin enemyes; a stool of thi feet.

The Lord schal sende out fro Syon the yerde of thi vertu; be thou lord in the myddis of thin enemyes.

The bigynnyng is with thee in the dai of thi vertu, in the briytnessis of seyntis; Y gendride thee of the wombe before the dai sterre.

The Lord swoor, and it schal not repente him; Thou art a preest with outen ende, bi the ordre of Melchisedech.

The Lord on thi riyt side; hath broke kyngis in the dai of his veniaunce.

He schal deme among naciouns, he schal fille fallyngis; he schal schake heedis in the lond of many men.

He dranke of the stronde in the weie; therfor he enhaunside the heed.

David's plea that God act 'for thy name's sake' rests on the same patient trust described in <a href="/bible/wycliffe/job/chapter-37/7">Job 37:7</a>, before the psalm turns to the messianic hope of <a href="/bible/wycliffe/psalms/chapter-110">Psalms 110</a>.