Psalms 109:28

KJV

Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.

KJV (with Strong's)

Let them curse {H7043}, but bless {H1288} thou: when they arise {H6965}, let them be ashamed {H954}; but let thy servant {H5650} rejoice {H8055}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let them go on cursing; but you, bless! When they attack, let them be put to shame; but let your servant rejoice.

Berean Standard Bible

Though they curse, You will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but Your servant will rejoice.

American Standard Version

Let them curse, but bless thou: When they arise, they shall be put to shame, But thy servant shall rejoice.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 109:28 is a powerful plea from the psalmist, traditionally David, to God for divine intervention amidst severe persecution and slander. It contrasts the malicious curses of enemies with the sovereign blessing of God, expressing a fervent hope that adversaries will be put to shame while God's faithful servant experiences vindication and joy. This verse encapsulates a profound trust in God's ultimate justice and His ability to override human malice with divine favor.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 109 is one of the most intense imprecatory psalms, a genre where the psalmist cries out to God concerning malicious enemies who have unjustly slandered and persecuted him. The preceding verses (1-27) detail the psalmist's profound suffering, the betrayal he endures, and a lengthy, visceral list of curses he pronounces upon his adversaries. Verse 28 marks a crucial pivot point, shifting from the detailed enumeration of the enemies' wickedness and the desired curses upon them to a direct, confident appeal to God for divine intervention. It sets up a stark contrast between the actions of the enemies and God's supreme power, highlighting the psalmist's unwavering hope in God's ability to bless and vindicate. The verses immediately following (29-31) continue this theme of divine vindication, culminating in the psalmist's praise for God, who stands at the right hand of the poor to save them.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Traditionally attributed to King David, this psalm likely reflects a period of intense personal betrayal and public slander, possibly from figures within his own court or from external adversaries. In ancient Near Eastern societies, curses were believed to have real power, capable of inflicting harm, and public shame was a deeply humiliating and feared consequence. Conversely, divine blessing was understood as the source of all prosperity, honor, and life itself. The psalmist's appeal to God for justice aligns with the covenantal understanding that Yahweh is the ultimate judge who defends the righteous and punishes the wicked. The concept of "thy servant" refers to the psalmist himself, often a king or a representative of God's people, whose honor and well-being are tied to God's reputation. The prayer for enemies to be "ashamed" is not merely a personal desire for revenge but a plea for God's righteous judgment to be publicly demonstrated, exposing the falsehood of the accusers and vindicating the innocent.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Vindication**, where the psalmist trusts God to set things right and defend His righteous servant against all adversaries. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates the **Contrast of Blessing and Cursing**, presenting a stark dichotomy between human malice and divine favor. Despite the attempts of enemies to harm through words and actions, God's blessing is portrayed as supreme and overriding, echoing the principle that [vengeance belongs to the Lord](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine"). Thirdly, it highlights **Hope Amidst Adversity**, demonstrating that even in the face of intense opposition and slander, the psalmist maintains a profound hope for joy and deliverance. This joy is not circumstantial but rooted in God's character and His promise of justice, mirroring the joy found in God's protection as seen in [Psalm 5:11](/psalms/5-11 "Psalm 5:11 - Rejoicing in God's Protection"). Finally, it emphasizes **Trust in God's Sovereignty**, as the psalmist commits his cause entirely to God, believing that God will bring justice and expose the wickedness of the unrighteous, ultimately leading to the servant's rejoicing.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Curse (קָלַל, _qalal'_):** This verb means to be light, contemptible, or to treat with contempt. In this context, it signifies reviling, denouncing, or wishing ill upon someone. It implies an attempt to diminish, dishonor, or bring harm through spoken words.
* **Bless (בָּרַךְ, _barakh'_):** Meaning to kneel, adore, or to bestow favor and prosperity. The direct and absolute contrast to "curse," this word emphasizes God's power to confer favor, honor, and well-being, overriding any human ill-will or malicious intent. It signifies divine empowerment and protection.
* **Ashamed (בּוּשׁ, _boosh'_):** To be disappointed, confounded, or put to shame. This is the desired outcome for the enemies, signifying the failure of their malicious plans, the exposure of their true nature, and their public disgrace. It implies their efforts will backfire, leading to their humiliation.
* **Rejoice (שָׂמַח, _samach'_):** To be glad, joyful, or to exult. This is the ultimate aspiration for the "servant," indicating a state of peace, triumph, and deep satisfaction that comes from God's intervention and vindication. It signifies a joy that transcends circumstances, rooted in divine faithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Let them curse, but bless thou":** This clause sets up a stark antithesis. The psalmist acknowledges the reality of his enemies' malicious words and intentions ("Let them curse"). However, he immediately contrasts this human malevolence with a fervent plea for divine favor ("but bless thou"). This is a declaration of profound trust in God's ultimate authority and power to override all human ill-will. It asserts that God's blessing is infinitely more potent and effective than any curse.
* **"when they arise, let them be ashamed":** The phrase "when they arise" implies active opposition, plotting, or aggression on the part of the enemies. It suggests they are actively organizing or taking steps to harm the psalmist. The prayer "let them be ashamed" is a plea for their efforts to be thwarted, their schemes exposed, and their intentions brought to public disgrace. It's a request for divine justice to manifest in their public humiliation and the failure of their unjust cause.
* **"but let thy servant rejoice":** This final clause expresses the desired outcome for the psalmist, who identifies himself as "thy servant," implying a relationship of devotion and obedience to God. His "rejoice" is not a self-generated happiness but a direct consequence of God's intervention, vindication, and the defeat of his adversaries. It signifies a profound joy rooted in God's faithfulness, justice, and the restoration of his honor and peace.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Psalms 109:28 is **Antithesis**, which involves the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas or words to highlight their opposition. This is evident in the stark pairings of "curse" versus "bless," and "ashamed" versus "rejoice." This sharp contrast effectively emphasizes the absolute difference between human malice and divine favor, and between the fate of the wicked and the righteous. The verse also employs the **Imperative Mood** ("Let them curse," "bless thou," "let them be ashamed," "let thy servant rejoice"), which conveys the psalmist's fervent prayer and direct appeal to God, underscoring his complete reliance on divine action. While not strict **Parallelism** in every line, the verse's balanced structure creates a sense of poetic justice, where the negative actions and desired outcomes for the enemies are directly balanced by the positive actions and desired outcomes for the psalmist.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 109:28 profoundly articulates the theological truth that God's sovereignty extends over all human evil and that His blessing is ultimately supreme over any curse. It underscores the believer's call to trust in divine justice, even when facing intense, unjust persecution. The psalmist does not seek personal revenge but commits his cause to God, believing that God alone has the power and righteousness to vindicate His servant and bring shame upon those who maliciously oppose Him. This highlights a foundational biblical principle: true vindication comes from God, not human retaliation. It teaches that our hope for joy and deliverance should be rooted in God's character and His unfailing faithfulness, rather than in the absence of adversity or the defeat of enemies by human means.

* [Numbers 23:8](/numbers/23-8 "Numbers 23:8 - Balaam's Inability to Curse God's Blessed")
* [Isaiah 54:17](/isaiah/54-17 "Isaiah 54:17 - No Weapon Formed Against You Will Prosper")
* [Psalm 16:11](/psalms/16-11 "Psalm 16:11 - Fullness of Joy in God's Presence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 109:28 offers profound encouragement and a vital spiritual discipline for believers navigating opposition, slander, or injustice. In a world often marked by unfair criticism and malicious intent, this verse calls us away from despair or retaliation and towards a radical trust in God's ultimate authority. It reminds us that while others may curse, God's blessing is infinitely more powerful and enduring. Our focus should always be on securing God's favor and approval, knowing that His blessing brings true peace, vindication, and lasting joy, regardless of external circumstances. This means committing our grievances to Him in prayer, believing that He is the righteous Judge who will ultimately expose falsehood and uphold truth. The psalmist's prayer for joy, even amidst intense trials, challenges us to cultivate a deep-seated delight in the Lord, finding our strength and ultimate satisfaction in His presence and His promised vindication, rather than in the absence of conflict or the immediate defeat of our adversaries.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse encourage you when facing unjust criticism or opposition in your life?**
* **In what specific areas do you need to trust God's blessing to override human curses or negativity directed towards you?**
* **What does it truly mean to commit your cause to God rather than seeking personal revenge or vindication?**
* **How can you cultivate a spirit of joy in the Lord, even when adversaries seem to prosper or your circumstances are difficult?**

### FAQ
**Is it wrong for a Christian to pray imprecatory prayers like this?**

Answer: Psalms 109, like other imprecatory psalms, expresses a desire for divine justice against unrighteousness, not personal vengeance. While the New Testament calls believers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")), these Old Testament prayers reflect a deep trust in God as the righteous Judge who will ultimately bring all things to account. They are appeals for God's kingdom and justice to prevail, even if it means the defeat of evil. For the Christian, this trust in God's ultimate justice remains, though the expression of it shifts from calling down curses to praying for God's will to be done, knowing that His will includes both mercy and justice.

**What does "let them be ashamed" mean in a modern context?**

Answer: In a modern context, "let them be ashamed" signifies that the malicious plans and intentions of those who oppose righteousness will ultimately fail, be exposed, and be brought to nothing. It's a prayer for the vindication of the righteous and the defeat of evil, where the true character and unjust actions of adversaries are revealed, leading to the failure of their cause. It's not necessarily a literal wish for public humiliation, but a desire for God's truth and justice to prevail, demonstrating the futility of opposing Him or His servants.

**How can I rejoice when I'm being persecuted or slandered?**

Answer: The joy mentioned in this verse is not a superficial happiness based on favorable circumstances, but a deep-seated spiritual joy rooted in God's character and His promise of ultimate vindication. It's the joy of knowing that you are God's servant, that He sees your suffering, and that He will ultimately defend you and set things right. This joy comes from trusting in His sovereignty and faithfulness, even when circumstances are painful. It's a joy that transcends the immediate trial, drawing strength from the assurance of God's presence and His future triumph, as encouraged in [Philippians 4:4](/philippians/4-4 "Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord Always").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 109:28 finds its profoundest fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate "servant" of God, who, like the psalmist, endured unimaginable curses, slander, and betrayal from His enemies. He was "despised and rejected by men" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")), and on the cross, He became a curse for us, bearing the full weight of humanity's sin and the Father's wrath ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Yet, in response to the world's curses, God the Father supremely blessed Him through His resurrection and exaltation to the highest place, where "every knee should bow" ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation")). His enemies—sin, death, and the devil—were decisively put to shame through His triumph over the grave. The ultimate shame fell not on Christ, but on those powers that sought to defeat Him. And because of His victory, His servants—all who believe in Him—can now "rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory" ([1 Peter 1:8](/1_peter/1-8 "1 Peter 1:8 - Rejoicing with Inexpressible Joy")), knowing that their vindication is secured in His. The psalmist's prayer for vindication and joy is fully answered in Christ, who ensures that while the world may curse His followers, God's blessing and eternal joy will ultimately prevail.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 23:20

Behold, I have received [commandment] to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

John 16:22

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Psalms 109:17

As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.

Numbers 22:12

And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they [are] blessed.

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Isaiah 65:13

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:

Isaiah 65:16

That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.