Psalms 109:13

Let his posterity be cut off; [and] in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

Let his posterity {H319} be cut off {H3772}; and in the generation {H1755} following {H312} let their name {H8034} be blotted out {H4229}.

May his posterity be cut off; may his name be erased within a generation.

May his descendants be cut off; may their name be blotted out from the next generation.

Let his posterity be cut off; In the generation following let their name be blotted out.

Commentary

Psalm 109:13 is part of a deeply personal and intense imprecatory psalm, attributed to King David. In this verse, the psalmist expresses a fervent plea for divine judgment against a specific wicked individual who has betrayed and persecuted him.

Context

Psalm 109 is known as an imprecatory psalm, where the psalmist calls upon God to unleash severe curses and judgment upon his enemies. David, likely enduring significant betrayal and false accusations, pours out his anguish and trusts God to be the ultimate arbiter of justice. This particular verse is part of a litany of curses directed at an adversary who has acted with malice and deceit, seeking to destroy David's reputation and life. Understanding this context is crucial; these are not expressions of personal vengeance to be enacted by humans, but petitions for God's righteous wrath to be fully realized against evil.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Retribution: The verse powerfully conveys a desire for God's severe judgment to fall upon the wicked, not only affecting them personally but extending to their lineage.
  • Eradication of Posterity: The phrase "Let his posterity be cut off" signifies a desire for the complete termination of the enemy's descendants. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the continuation of one's family line was paramount, and its extinction was considered a devastating curse, ensuring no legacy remained.
  • Blotting Out of Name: To have one's "name be blotted out" means to be utterly erased from memory and history. This goes beyond physical death, implying a complete loss of identity, honor, and any remembrance for future generations, a profound shame and ultimate defeat. This concept echoes the idea of being blotted out of God's book.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "cut off" is karath (ื›ึธึผืจึทืช), which frequently implies a decisive termination, destruction, or separation. It is often used in the context of divine judgment for covenant breaking or egregious sin, leading to the extinction of a family line.
  • The phrase "blotted out" comes from the Hebrew verb machah (ืžึธื—ึธื”), meaning "to wipe away," "erase," or "obliterate." It paints a vivid picture of a name being completely wiped from a record or from memory, signifying total non-existence and loss of legacy.

Reflection and Application

While the language of Psalm 109:13 is stark and unsettling to modern ears, it reflects a deep conviction in God's absolute justice. It reminds us that:

  • God is a Righteous Judge: The psalmist trusts that God sees all injustice and will ultimately bring about righteous judgment. This is a prayer for divine intervention, not a call to personal vengeance.
  • Consequences of Wickedness: The severity of the curse highlights the grave consequences of persistent wickedness in the eyes of God. While the New Testament emphasizes love for enemies (Matthew 5:44) and leaving vengeance to God (Romans 12:19), these imprecatory psalms affirm that God will indeed execute justice in His perfect timing.
  • Trust in God's Sovereignty: Ultimately, these prayers are an act of faith, surrendering the desire for justice into God's hands, believing that He will right all wrongs, just as Psalm 37:28 speaks of the wicked being cut off.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 10:7

    ยถ The memory of the just [is] blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.

  • Job 18:19

    He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.

  • Psalms 37:28

    For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.

  • 1 Samuel 3:13

    For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

  • Jeremiah 22:30

    Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a man [that] shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah.

  • Deuteronomy 25:19

    Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance to possess it, [that] thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget [it].

  • Deuteronomy 9:14

    Let me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven: and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they.
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