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Psalms 69:25

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Let their habitation be desolate; [and] let none dwell in their tents.

Let their habitation {H2918} be desolate {H8074}{H8737)}; and let none dwell {H3427}{H8802)} in their tents {H168}.

Let the place where they live be desolate, with no one to live in their tents,

May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents.

Let their habitation be desolate; Let none dwell in their tents.

Commentary

Context of Psalms 69:25

Psalm 69 is a profound lament, often attributed to King David, expressing deep distress, suffering, and intense persecution from his enemies. It is one of the "imprecatory psalms," where the psalmist appeals directly to God for judgment against those who wrongfully afflict him. The suffering described is so severe that many scholars see this psalm as highly Messianic, with several verses quoted in the New Testament to describe Christ's passion. Verse 25 is part of a series of curses invoked by the psalmist against his oppressors, reflecting a fervent desire for divine justice in the face of immense betrayal and cruelty.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment: The primary theme is a plea for God's active intervention and judgment against the wicked. The psalmist believes that God, as the righteous judge, will ultimately bring consequences upon those who oppose His anointed.
  • Complete Desolation: The phrase "Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents" signifies a desire for utter ruin and abandonment. It's a prayer that the enemies' homes and livelihoods be completely destroyed, leaving no trace of their presence or posterity. This reflects the severity of the suffering endured by the psalmist.
  • Consequences of Opposition: The verse underscores the biblical principle that opposing God's righteous servants can lead to severe divine repercussions. It's a testament to the belief that God will not leave His people undefended against malicious attacks.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "desolate" is shamem (שָׁמֵם), which conveys a strong sense of being appalled, laid waste, or utterly ruined. It implies a state of shock and desolation. "Tents" (Hebrew: ohel, אֹהֶל) refers to dwelling places or homes, emphasizing the complete destruction of their domestic life and presence.

Prophetic Significance and New Testament Fulfillment

Psalms 69:25 carries significant prophetic weight because it is directly quoted in the New Testament. In Acts 1:20, the Apostle Peter applies this very verse to Judas Iscariot, whose betrayal of Jesus led to his own tragic end and the desolation of his dwelling place. This fulfillment highlights the prophetic nature of the Psalms and how God's justice, sought by the psalmist, can manifest in historical events, particularly concerning those who betray the Messiah.

Practical Application and Reflection

While the language of imprecatory psalms can be unsettling to modern readers, Psalms 69:25 offers several insights:

  • Understanding God's Justice: It reminds us that God is a just God who sees injustice and will ultimately bring judgment. For those who suffer, this psalm offers a powerful expression of righteous indignation and a plea for divine intervention.
  • Seriousness of Sin: The severity of the requested judgment underscores the gravity of sin, especially the malicious persecution of the innocent and opposition to God's purposes.
  • Comfort for the Persecuted: For those experiencing severe persecution, the psalmist's cry for justice can be a source of solace, knowing that God hears and will address the wrongs committed against His people. It is a reminder that vengeance belongs to the Lord (Romans 12:19).

This verse, when understood in its full context and prophetic fulfillment, speaks to the ultimate triumph of God's justice over wickedness.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Acts 1:20 (9 votes)

    For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

  • Matthew 23:38 (6 votes)

    Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

  • Jeremiah 7:12 (3 votes)

    But go ye now unto my place which [was] in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel.

  • Jeremiah 7:14 (3 votes)

    Therefore will I do unto [this] house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh.

  • Matthew 24:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to [him] for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

  • Matthew 24:2 (2 votes)

    And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

  • Luke 13:35 (2 votes)

    Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until [the time] come when ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.