Scripture Daily

Context No. 3423 of 4322 · Psalms

Context · Reflection

Psalms 109:17-31: in context

17Yes, he loved cursing, and it came to him. He didn’t delight in blessing, and it was far from him. 18He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment. It came into his inward parts like water, like oil into his bones. 19Let it be to him as the clothing with which he covers himself, for the belt that is always around him. 20This is the reward of my adversaries from the LORD, of those who speak evil against my soul. 21But deal with me, GOD the Lord, for your name’s sake, because your loving kindness is good, deliver me; 22for I am poor and needy. My heart is wounded within me. 23I fade away like an evening shadow. I am shaken off like a locust. 24My knees are weak through fasting. My body is thin and lacks fat. 25I have also become a reproach to them. When they see me, they shake their head. 26Help me, LORD, my God. Save me according to your loving kindness; 27that they may know that this is your hand; that you, LORD, have done it. 28They may curse, but you bless. When they arise, they will be shamed, but your servant shall rejoice. 29Let my adversaries be clothed with dishonor. Let them cover themselves with their own shame as with a robe. 30I will give great thanks to the LORD with my mouth. Yes, I will praise him among the multitude. 31For he will stand at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who judge his soul.

This is among the harsh imprecatory psalms, full of cries against a treacherous enemy who loved to curse. But look where the psalmist himself stands and where he finally turns. He is poor and needy, his heart wounded within him, fading like an evening shadow, mocked by those who see him.

And rather than take revenge into his own hands, he casts himself on God: help me, O LORD my God; save me according to your steadfast love, that they may know this is your hand, that you have done it. He wants his deliverance to point to God, not to his own strength. And the psalm ends with a quiet confidence that lifts it above mere bitterness: the LORD stands at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who would condemn him. Whatever the raw cries along the way, the psalmist's resting place is God, who takes his stand beside the poor and defends them when they cannot defend themselves.

When I am wronged and helpless, do I cast myself on God, who stands at the right hand of the needy, trusting him to defend me rather than avenging myself?

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