Psalms 109:19

Let it be unto him as the garment [which] covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually.

Let it be unto him as the garment {H899} which covereth {H5844} him, and for a girdle {H4206} wherewith he is girded {H2296} continually {H8548}.

May it cling to him like the coat he wears, like the belt he wraps around himself."

May it be like a robe wrapped about him, like a belt tied forever around him.

Let it be unto him as the raiment wherewith he covereth himself, And for the girdle wherewith he is girded continually.

Commentary

Context of Psalms 109:19

Psalm 109 is one of the Bible's "imprecatory psalms," where the psalmist (traditionally King David) intensely calls upon God to bring judgment upon his personal enemies and adversaries. These prayers are often shocking in their severity, reflecting deep pain, betrayal, and a fervent desire for divine justice against those who have wronged the innocent or oppressed the righteous. In this specific verse, the psalmist is concluding a series of vivid curses, asking that the consequences of their wicked actions be permanent and inescapable.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Pervasiveness of Judgment: The central plea of Psalms 109:19 is for the curse to cling to the wicked person as intimately and constantly as their clothing. Just as a garment covers the body and a girdle is worn continually, so too should the divine retribution envelop the adversary's life, from morning till night.
  • Divine Justice: This verse underscores the psalmist's profound belief in God's righteousness and His ultimate intervention to right wrongs. It's a cry for a just God to act against injustice, ensuring that evil deeds have commensurate and lasting consequences. This theme of divine retribution is also seen in other prophetic warnings, such as the curses for disobedience outlined in Deuteronomy 28.

Linguistic Insights and Imagery

The imagery of the "garment" and "girdle" is powerful in ancient Near Eastern culture. Clothing was not merely functional; it often symbolized one's status, identity, or condition. To be covered by a curse "as the garment which covereth him" means that the curse becomes an inseparable part of the person's very being and public appearance. The "girdle," or belt, was also an essential item, often associated with readiness for action or strength. To be "girded continually" implies that the curse is not fleeting but a constant, inescapable reality, always present and pressing.

Practical Application and Reflection

While Christians today generally interpret imprecatory psalms through the lens of Christ's teachings on love for enemies (Matthew 5:44), these psalms still offer significant insights:

  1. God's Justice is Real: They remind us that God is a God of justice who will ultimately judge all unrighteousness. There are indeed lasting consequences for sin and rebellion against God, as highlighted in passages about the wages of sin being death.
  2. Consequences are Inescapable: The imagery of the garment and girdle serves as a stark reminder that actions have consequences that can cling to a person's life, affecting their reputation, relationships, and even their inner peace.
  3. Hope in Righteousness: Conversely, for those who walk in righteousness, God's blessings and favor can cover them like a beautiful garment, as described in Isaiah 61:10, where believers are clothed with garments of salvation and robes of righteousness.

Ultimately, Psalms 109:19 speaks to the profound and inescapable nature of divine judgment, assuring that no one can hide from the consequences of their actions before a holy and just God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 109:29

    Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.

  • Psalms 132:18

    His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.

  • Psalms 109:18

    As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.

  • Psalms 35:26

    Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify [themselves] against me.
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