Set over him a wicked man; let an accuser stand at his right hand. Set over him a wicked man;This phrase reflects a plea for divine justice against an adversary. In biblical context, the idea of setting a wicked man over someone suggests a form of judgment or punishment. The wicked man here could be seen as an instrument of God's justice, similar to how God used foreign nations to discipline Israel (e.g., Assyria and Babylon). Theologically, this reflects the principle that God can use even the unrighteous to fulfill His purposes, as seen in Isaiah 10:5-6 where Assyria is described as the rod of God's anger. let an accuser stand at his right hand.
In ancient Near Eastern culture, the right hand was a place of honor and defense. An accuser standing at one's right hand implies a position of influence and authority, often associated with legal proceedings. This imagery is consistent with the role of Satan as the accuser in Job 1:6-12 and Zechariah 3:1, where he stands to accuse Joshua the high priest. Theologically, this can be seen as a call for divine retribution, where the adversary is subjected to the same scrutiny and judgment they impose on others. This also foreshadows the ultimate defeat of the accuser through Christ, who now intercedes for believers at the right hand of God (Romans 8:34). Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 109, David is expressing a deep cry for justice against his adversaries. This psalm is often categorized as an imprecatory psalm, where the psalmist calls for God's judgment on his enemies. 2. AdversariesThe psalm speaks of those who have wronged David, possibly referring to specific individuals or a general group of enemies who have falsely accused or betrayed him. 3. AccuserThe Hebrew word used here is "satan," which means adversary or accuser. This term can refer to a human accuser or, in a broader sense, to spiritual opposition. 4. Right HandIn biblical terms, the right hand is often a place of honor or power. Here, it is ironically the position of the accuser, indicating a place of influence or authority in the judicial process. 5. Judicial ImageryThe verse uses courtroom language, suggesting a legal setting where accusations are made, and justice is sought. Teaching Points Understanding Imprecatory PsalmsThese psalms express raw human emotions and a desire for justice. They remind us that we can bring our deepest hurts and desires for justice to God. The Role of the AccuserRecognize the spiritual battle and the role of the accuser in our lives. We must be vigilant and rely on God's protection and justice. Seeking God's JusticeWhile it is natural to desire justice, we must trust in God's timing and methods, knowing that He is the ultimate judge. Responding to AdversariesReflect on Jesus' teachings to love and pray for our enemies, seeking to overcome evil with good. The Power of PrayerUse prayer as a means to process emotions and seek God's intervention in situations of injustice. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the context of David's life help us interpret Psalm 109:6? 2. In what ways can we relate the role of the accuser in this psalm to spiritual battles we face today? 3. How do the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament challenge or complement the imprecatory nature of Psalm 109? 4. What practical steps can we take to leave vengeance to God and trust in His justice? 5. How can we use prayer to process our emotions and seek God's guidance when dealing with adversaries? Connections to Other Scriptures Job 1:6-12The role of Satan as an accuser is evident in the heavenly court scene, where he challenges Job's righteousness. Zechariah 3:1-2Joshua the high priest stands before the angel of the Lord, with Satan at his right hand to accuse him, illustrating the adversarial role. Matthew 5:44Jesus' teaching on loving enemies contrasts with the imprecatory nature of Psalm 109, offering a New Testament perspective on dealing with adversaries. Romans 12:19Paul advises believers to leave vengeance to God, aligning with the psalmist's appeal for divine justice. People David, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Accuser, Adversary, Appoint, Bring, Evil, Oppose, Placed, Satan, Stand, Standeth, Trial, WickedDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 109:6 5201 accusation Psalm 109:6-20 6040 sinners 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 109:6 NIVPsalm 109:6 NLTPsalm 109:6 ESVPsalm 109:6 NASBPsalm 109:6 KJV
Psalm 109:6 Commentaries
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