Psalm 109 is a psalm in the Book of Psalms. In the Greek Septuagintversion of the Bible, and in the Latin Vulgate, this psalm is Psalm 108 in a slightly different numbering system. It is noted for containing some of the most severe curses in the Bible, such as [|verses 12] and [|13]. It has traditionally been called the "Judas Psalm" or "Iscariot Psalm" for an interpretation relating [|verse 8] to Judas Iscariot's punishment as noted in the New Testament.
Analysis
The New Oxford Annotated Bible titles this psalm "Prayer for deliverance from enemies", as one of the Imprecatory Psalms against deceitful foes. It starts with the psalmist's plea in verses 1–5, followed by an extensive imprecation. The renewed pleading at verse 21 is made with appeals on the grounds of Yahweh's steadfast love, the details of the psalmist's own misery, and the request for vengeance to the enemies, but the lament ends with the vow to offer praise, which is so common in this type of psalm. In verses 8–14 the curse by the psalmist 'extends through three generations': on the person, on the person's children, and on the person's parents. The change from plural enemies to a singular individual parallels to Psalm 55. In verse 4, there is evil given 'in return for my love'. The curses here are consistent with Proverbs 17.13 where "if evil is given for good then evil will not depart from their house". Returning evil for good, is also seen in other Psalms often seen as portending Judas being an 'anti-friend' figure returning evil for good or even friendship, namely 41, 69 and here in 109. The closing of Psalm 109 has God at the right hand of the poor man and is in striking contrast with the opening of Psalm 110 where God calls a man to sit at his right hand, made forever like the priest king, Melchizedek.
Uses
Verse 2 and 30
There is an inclusio near the opening and closing of the Psalm. In the opening the Psalmist is facing the lies of accusers mouths while in the close his own mouth greatly praise God.
Verse 8
The Apostle Peter quoted verse 8 of Psalm 109 before the apostles elected the replacement for Judas Iscariot in Acts. In the United States, 109:8 "May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership" has been used by a number of fundamentalist preachers who use the imprecatory psalm as an imprecatory prayer. Pastor Greg Dixon of the Indianapolis Baptist Temple had invoked it, which had been condemned by others. In 2009, the media reported more widely on its usage in reference to President Barack Obama, by those such as Pastor Wiley Drake. In January 2010, a Florida Sheriff's deputy was suspended for highlighting the passage in another deputy's bible and adding the note "The Obama Prayer" beside it. In January 2012, Kansas Speaker of the HouseMichael O'Neal sent an email quoting verse 8 to his Republican colleagues that stated, "At last — I can honestly voice a Biblical prayer for our president! Look it up — it is word for word! Let us all bow our heads and pray. Brothers and Sisters, can I get an AMEN? AMEN!!!!!!" On June 10, 2016, GeorgiaSenatorDavid Perdue quotes the verse, referencing Obama, at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority conference. By the late summer of 2017, bumper stickers could be seen asking people to pray for US President Donald Trump with the same attribution.
Verse 12
"Let there be none to extend mercy unto him" or "Let him have none to continue lovingkindness to him as represented in his children"; nor "anyone have pity" on his orphaned children. The phrase "to extend mercy" is translated from משך חסד, , which can also mean "to draw out mercy" in the sense of "causing it to continue and last"
Verse 13
"Let his posterity be cut off": or "may his sons die childless".
"In the generation following their name be blotted out": or "in the next generation their name be removed from the registry of the citizens". The extinction of a family was considered the most extreme calamity for the Israelites.
Psalm 109 was used by Thomas Hardy in his novel The Mayor of Casterbridge. Michael Henchard, the protagonist of the novel, is drinking with the choir after practice when he sees his rival, Donald Farfrae, whom he hates. He later persuades the choir to sing Psalm 109. The choir master remarks of this psalm that, "Twasn't made for singing. We chose it once when the gypsy stole the parson's mare, thinking to please him, but parson were quite upset. Whatever Servant David were thinking about when he made a Psalm that nobody can sing without disgracing himself, I can't fathom." Some verses of the same psalm figure prominently in M. R. James's supernatural story "The Stalls of Barchester Cathedral", which recounts the guilt-ridden life and dismal death of Archdeacon John Haynes.
