Today, we will explore Psalms 108-113 in our daily devotional, with a special focus on Psalm 109—a psalm that confronts the pain of false accusations and injustice. Have you ever faced unfair accusations or mistreatment? Perhaps you are enduring such a trial right now. Psalm 109 resonates deeply with these struggles, showing David’s heart as he cries out to God in his distress.
Despite David’s anguish, he ultimately turns to the Lord, seeking divine intervention rather than personal vengeance. As you read or listen to Psalms 108-113 today, reflect on David’s response and how we, too, can seek God’s justice and compassion in our trials. To learn of God’s steadfast love, read the daily devotional on Psalms 106-107.
Psalms 108-113 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
Today is day twenty-three of our thirty-day journey through the Book of Psalms. We will look at six psalms today, Psalms 108-113. We will focus on the false accusations in Psalm 109. Have you, or are you, being falsely accused? How did you, or how do you want to respond? Please read or listen to Psalms 108-113.
What Is the Meaning of Psalms 109?
Today, we will focus on just Psalm 109. I wrote in my journal in 2015, “Bad stuff happens to good people, referring to verses 4 and 5.” Then I referred to verses 6-20, “Seek revenge, justice, curse, and destruction of the enemy. A bit different than the New Testament’s instruction to pray for our enemies, love and forgive them.
Here the accused does plead to the Lord, ‘deal on my behalf for your name’s sake’ (v. 21). In the end David cries out, ‘Help me, O Lord my God! Save me according to your steadfast love!’ (v. 26). When trouble comes, cry out to God for he stands at the right hand of the needy, able to ‘save him from those who condemn his soul to death’” (v. 31).
What Is an Encouraging Quote from Psalms?
In your life, in my life, it is true, bad stuff happens to good people. In this psalm, David appears to be innocent. You may be innocent too, so let’s get some encouragement from Psalm 109, “Be not silent, O God of my praise! For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues” (vv. 1-2).
What to Do When Someone Lies Against You?
Your current circumstances may be caused by complete lies. You may be innocent. Verses 4 and 5 declare, “In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer. So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.” This could be occurring from someone very close to you. Maybe it is a spouse. Maybe you are in the middle of a divorce. Maybe it is a parent/child relationship. Maybe it is a dear friend. You are being accused, and for your love, they return evil and hatred.
What Is Psalms 109:21-22?
David asks the Lord to bring the hammer down on his accuser. I am not sure we want to do that. But verse 8 is often quoted for politicians we do not like, “May his days be few; may another take his office!” David goes through a litany of curses against his enemy.
We do not want to do that, but we do want to do something like verse 21 instructs, “But you, O God my Lord, deal on my behalf for your name’s sake; because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!” Depend on the Lord for your deliverance. Though you may feel like David in verse 22, “For I am poor and needy, and my heart is stricken within me.”
What Is an Encouraging Quote from Psalms?
You may be heartbroken but depend on the Lord for your deliverance. Here is your encouragement:
Help me, O Lord my God!
Save me according to your steadfast love!
Let them know that this is your hand;
you, O Lord, have done it!
Let them curse, but you will bless!
They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad!
May my accusers be clothed with dishonor;
may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a cloak!
With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord;
I will praise him in the midst of the throng.
For he stands at the right hand of the needy one,
to save him from those who condemn his soul to death (vv. 26-31).
How to Praise God When You Are Suffering?
I am not saying it is easy in your circumstance or in your situation, but it is the scriptural response to someone who is ill-treating you, who has spread lies about you, who has accused you unjustly, and who has returned evil for good, and hatred for your love.
If we respond like the world, we will not attract anyone to Christ. The Bible instructs us over and over to be different. In difficult circumstances, we can, with the power of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit in our lives. May we respond accordingly.
Prayer
Lord, this psalm may be very applicable to someone right now. They are being unjustly accused. Please, please, Lord, step in on their behalf. As Your Word says right here in this psalm:
Help me, O Lord my God!
Save me according to your steadfast love!
Let them know that this is your hand;
you, O Lord, have done it! (vv. 26-27)
Lord, please, turn the situation into a testimony and a blessing for You. Save them, Lord, from the pit right now with Your steadfast love. You will get the praise, the glory, and the honor for in Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen.
