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Psalms 109:1-31 open_in_new
The strongest of the imprecatory Pss. (see Intro.). Probably it is just to regard the Psalmist as speaking in the name of the whole nation, vexed and harried by foreign enemies, e.g. Antiochus Epiphanes. The theory that the Psalmist recounts the curses used against him by his enemies is untenable. Calvin notes the awful use of this Ps. by certain monks, who hired themselves out to recite it against private enemies.
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Psalms 109:6 open_in_new
Satan] RV 'an adversary.' The word has both meanings in Hebrew. Satan was the accuser who blamed men before God: cp. Job 1:2; Zechariah 3.
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Psalms 109:7 open_in_new
Let his prayer become sin] truly a horrible curse: cp. Proverbs 15:8.
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Psalms 109:8 open_in_new
Let another take his office] cp. the reference to Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:20). Hence this was known to the early Fathers as 'Psalmus Iscarioticus.'
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Psalms 109:10 open_in_new
Let them seek, etc.] better, 'let them be driven out far from their desolate homes.'
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Psalms 109:11 open_in_new
Spoil] better, 'make spoil of.'
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Psalms 109:23 open_in_new
I am tossed up and down] better, 'I am shaken off like a locust.'