Psalms 109:7

KJV

When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.

KJV (with Strong's)

When he shall be judged {H8199}, let him be {H3318} condemned {H7563}: and let his prayer {H8605} become sin {H2401}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When he is tried, let him be found guilty, may even his plea be counted a sin.

Berean Standard Bible

When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayer be regarded as sin.

American Standard Version

When he is judged, let him come forth guilty; And let his prayer be turned into sin.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 109:7 encapsulates a fervent plea from the psalmist for divine judgment against a wicked adversary. It expresses a profound desire that when this enemy is brought before a divine tribunal, they would not only be found guilty and condemned but, shockingly, that their very act of prayer would be counted as sin. This verse, situated within one of the Bible's most intense imprecatory psalms, reflects deep personal suffering, a cry for righteous retribution, and a stark portrayal of the ultimate rejection of the unrepentant by a holy God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 109 stands as a prominent example of an imprecatory psalm, a genre within the Psalter where the psalmist pours out a passionate appeal for God's judgment and curses upon adversaries. Positioned within Book 4 of the Psalter (Psalms 90-106), which often emphasizes God's kingship and the plight of His people, Psalm 109 is attributed to David and is characterized by its raw emotional intensity and a litany of specific curses. The preceding verses detail the suffering inflicted upon the psalmist by his enemies—slander, baseless hatred, and betrayal—setting the stage for the intense desire for justice expressed in verse 7. This verse is part of a series of escalating imprecations, moving from general condemnation to the specific perversion of the enemy's spiritual life, underscoring the depth of the psalmist's anguish and his conviction that only divine intervention can rectify the injustice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, justice was understood as a divine attribute, with God as the ultimate judge who would uphold righteousness and punish wickedness. Curses, like blessings, were believed to have real power and were often invoked in legal or covenantal contexts. The concept of a judicial proceeding, implied by "When he shall be judged, let him be condemned," reflects the legal frameworks of the ancient Near East, where accusations were brought, and verdicts rendered. The profound shame and social ruin associated with slander and betrayal in a communal society would have fueled the psalmist's intense desire for public vindication and divine retribution. Furthermore, prayer was a central act of piety, a means of communication with God. For a prayer to "become sin" would have been understood as the ultimate spiritual abomination, signifying a complete separation from God's favor and a profound moral corruption that even sacred acts could not redeem, aligning with the principle found in [Proverbs 28:9](/proverbs/28-9 "Proverbs 28:9 - The Prayer of the Unrighteous").
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes prevalent in Psalm 109 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully articulates the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, emphasizing God's role as the righteous arbiter who will ultimately judge the wicked and vindicate the oppressed. The psalmist's plea is not merely personal vengeance but a cry for God to act in accordance with His just character. Secondly, the shocking phrase "let his prayer become sin" introduces the theme of the **Perversion of Piety and the Nature of True Prayer**. It highlights that God does not indiscriminately hear all prayers; rather, the heart and intentions of the one praying are paramount. A prayer offered from a malicious, hypocritical, or unrepentant heart is not only ineffective but can be an offense to a holy God, echoing sentiments found in [Isaiah 1:15](/isaiah/1-15 "Isaiah 1:15 - God Hiding His Eyes from Wicked Prayers"). Finally, the verse speaks to the theme of **Suffering and Vindication**, giving voice to the deep pain of the wronged and their desperate hope that God will intervene to set things right, ultimately bringing about the triumph of righteousness over wickedness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Condemned (Hebrew, _rasha'_):** This verb (רָשַׁע) means "to be or become wicked," "to be found guilty," or "to be condemned." In a legal or judicial context, as implied by the preceding "When he shall be judged," it carries the strong connotation of a formal verdict of guilt. The psalmist desires not merely that the enemy suffer, but that their wickedness be officially recognized and punished by God's righteous decree.
* **Prayer (Hebrew, _tephillah'_):** The noun (תְּפִלָּה) refers to a petition, supplication, or intercession directed to God. It is a fundamental act of worship and communication. The psalmist's curse here is particularly potent because it targets the very means by which one might seek divine favor or mercy, turning a sacred act into something profane.
* **Sin (Hebrew, _chatta'ah'_):** This noun (חַטָּאָה) broadly refers to an offense, transgression, or missing the mark against God's law. In this context, for "prayer to become sin" signifies that the act of prayer itself, due to the wicked heart or malicious intent of the one praying, is not only rejected by God but is actively considered an offense or an abomination in His sight. It implies a profound spiritual corruption that taints even attempts at piety.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When he shall be judged, let him be condemned":** This clause sets up a forensic scene, a divine courtroom where the adversary is brought to trial. The psalmist's plea is for a clear, decisive verdict of guilt. It reflects a deep conviction in God's ultimate justice, that those who oppress and betray will not escape divine scrutiny and punishment. The passive voice "shall be judged" suggests an inevitable divine reckoning, and the imperative "let him be condemned" is a fervent desire for the just outcome of that judgment.
* **"and let his prayer become sin."** This is the most striking and severe part of the imprecation. It goes beyond mere condemnation of actions to a condemnation of the enemy's very spiritual posture. It suggests that the adversary's heart is so utterly corrupt, their actions so grievous, or their hypocrisy so profound, that even their attempts to communicate with God are not only unheard but are actively offensive to Him. This implies a state of complete spiritual alienation and a perversion of the most sacred act, highlighting the gravity of their unrepentant wickedness in the psalmist's eyes.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 109:7 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its intense message. The most prominent is **Imprecation**, which is a curse or an invocation of evil upon someone. The entire psalm is an extended imprecation, and this verse is a particularly sharp example, directly calling for divine judgment and the perversion of a sacred act. The phrase "let his prayer become sin" also demonstrates potent **Irony** and **Paradox**. Prayer, by its very nature, is intended to be a means of seeking God's favor, forgiveness, or intervention. To wish for it to "become sin" is to invert its purpose entirely, creating a stark and shocking image of ultimate spiritual rejection. This extreme wish can also be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration used for emphasis. While the psalmist genuinely desires severe judgment, the intensity of this particular curse underscores the profound depth of his suffering and the perceived heinousness of his enemy's actions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 109:7 offers a profound theological statement about the nature of divine justice and the integrity required in approaching God. It affirms God as the ultimate righteous judge who will not indefinitely tolerate wickedness, providing solace to those who suffer injustice. The shocking imprecation that prayer itself might become sin underscores the biblical principle that genuine communion with God requires a sincere heart, repentance, and alignment with His will. It highlights the futility and even offense of prayers offered from a place of unrepentant sin, hypocrisy, or malicious intent. While challenging for modern readers accustomed to New Testament teachings on loving enemies, this verse reminds us that God sees and judges the heart, and that true piety is not merely external ritual but an internal disposition.

* [Proverbs 15:29](/proverbs/15-29 "Proverbs 15:29 - God Hears the Righteous")
* [Proverbs 28:9](/proverbs/28-9 "Proverbs 28:9 - The Prayer of the Unrighteous is an Abomination")
* [Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Sin Separates from God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 109:7, with its raw intensity and seemingly harsh imprecations, invites us to confront the depths of human suffering and the profound longing for justice in a fallen world. It serves as a powerful reminder that God is indeed a righteous judge who sees every injustice and will ultimately bring all things to account. For those who have been deeply wronged, this psalm gives voice to the anguish and desire for vindication that can arise from betrayal and oppression. While we are called to a higher standard of love and forgiveness in the New Covenant, this verse still points us to the absolute certainty of God's final judgment, providing a foundation of hope that evil will not ultimately prevail. Moreover, the chilling phrase "let his prayer become sin" serves as a timeless warning about the posture of our own hearts in prayer. It challenges us to examine our motives, confess our sins, and ensure that our communication with God flows from a place of humility and sincerity, rather than hypocrisy or self-righteousness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we reconcile the psalmist's imprecations in this verse with the New Testament command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us?**
* **What does the concept of a "prayer becoming sin" teach us about the nature of true prayer and the importance of a right heart before God?**
* **In what ways does this psalm affirm your belief in God as the ultimate righteous judge who will bring about justice?**
* **How might acknowledging the psalmist's raw pain help us to better understand and empathize with those who suffer injustice today?**

### FAQ
**Are imprecatory psalms like Psalm 109 still relevant for Christians today, given New Testament teachings on love and forgiveness?**

Answer: Yes, imprecatory psalms remain highly relevant for several reasons, though they must be interpreted through the lens of Christ's teachings. Firstly, they provide an honest and raw expression of human suffering, pain, and the desire for justice in a fallen world. They validate that God understands and acknowledges the deep anguish of those who are wronged. Secondly, they affirm God's character as a righteous judge who will ultimately bring all wickedness to account. This truth provides comfort and hope that evil will not have the final say. Thirdly, they serve as prophetic foreshadowings of Christ's ultimate victory over evil and His role as the final judge, where perfect justice will be executed. While Christians are commanded to love their enemies and pray for them ([Matthew 5:44](/matthew/5-44 "Matthew 5:44 - Love Your Enemies")), this does not negate the reality of divine judgment. Instead, it calls us to entrust vengeance to God ([Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is the Lord's")) and to pray for the repentance of our adversaries, knowing that if they remain unrepentant, they will face God's just condemnation.

**What does it truly mean for a prayer to "become sin," and how can this apply to us?**

Answer: For a prayer to "become sin" signifies the ultimate spiritual rejection of an individual's attempt to communicate with God. It implies that the person's heart is so hardened, their intentions so malicious, or their actions so steeped in unrepentant sin that their very act of prayer is not only unheard but is considered an offense or an abomination to a holy God. This concept is echoed in other scriptures, such as [Proverbs 28:9](/proverbs/28-9 "Proverbs 28:9 - The Prayer of the Unrighteous is an Abomination"), which states that "He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination." For us, this serves as a stark warning and a profound call to self-examination. It reminds us that God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Our prayers must be offered with humility, sincerity, and a repentant spirit. Hypocrisy, unconfessed sin, or a desire for selfish gain can hinder our prayers and, in extreme cases, render them unacceptable to God. It underscores the importance of walking in obedience and maintaining a right relationship with Him, ensuring our prayers are truly a means of communion, not an act of offense.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalm 109:7 expresses a raw human cry for judgment upon an adversary, its ultimate fulfillment and transformation are found in Christ. Jesus, the perfect embodiment of righteousness, did not invoke curses upon His enemies but instead prayed for their forgiveness even as they crucified Him ([Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Jesus' Prayer for Forgiveness")). He became the ultimate recipient of unjust judgment, condemned by human courts, yet through His sacrifice, He absorbed the condemnation due to humanity's sin ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). The shocking concept of a "prayer becoming sin" finds its resolution in Christ, for it is through His perfect life and atoning death that our prayers, though imperfect, are made acceptable to God ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace")). He is the one who ultimately defeats the true adversary, Satan, disarming the powers of darkness and triumphing over them on the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Evil")). Thus, the psalmist's cry for justice is fully realized in Christ, who will return not only as the Lamb of God but also as the righteous Judge, executing perfect judgment and bringing ultimate vindication to His people ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - Jesus as Judge")).

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

Proverbs 28:9

¶ He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer [shall be] abomination.

Proverbs 21:27

¶ The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

Proverbs 15:8

¶ The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright [is] his delight.

Galatians 3:10

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Matthew 23:13

¶ But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Isaiah 1:15

And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.

2 Samuel 15:7

¶ And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.