Psalm 109 1

Psalm 109:1 kjv

Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;

Psalm 109:1 nkjv

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Do not keep silent, O God of my praise!

Psalm 109:1 niv

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. My God, whom I praise, do not remain silent,

Psalm 109:1 esv

Be not silent, O God of my praise!

Psalm 109:1 nlt

O God, whom I praise,
don't stand silent and aloof

Psalm 109 verses

Psalm 109 1 Meaning

Psalm 109:1 opens with a fervent appeal to God, whom the psalmist intimately addresses as "O God of my praise." This immediate direct address establishes a profound and personal relationship. The core request, "do not keep silent," is an urgent plea for divine intervention and active engagement. It expresses the psalmist's deep distress and conviction that God's active presence and voice are essential for vindication and justice against adversaries who have launched false accusations and slander. It implies a sense of abandonment or lack of divine response, prompting this desperate cry for God to act and reveal His righteousness.

Psalm 109 1 Context

Psalm 109 is attributed to David and is part of the collection known as the "Imprecatory Psalms." This chapter specifically articulates a strong cry for God's judgment upon the psalmist's adversaries who have falsely accused and persecuted him. The immediate context of verse 1 is a desperate prayer launching the entire psalm's lament and call for justice. David finds himself slandered and attacked by those who repay his love with hatred. He seeks divine intervention because his enemies have shown no mercy and appear intent on his ruin. The historical context suggests David facing betrayals, possibly during the persecutions from Saul, the rebellion of Absalom, or dealing with deceitful counselors like Ahithophel. It is a heartfelt outpouring from someone in deep distress, entrusting their cause entirely to God in the face of severe injustice and malicious intent from others. The verse sets a highly personal and urgent tone, pleading for the Almighty to break His perceived silence and demonstrate His justice.

Psalm 109 1 Word analysis

• O God: (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים - 'Elohim). This is a direct invocation, a common term for God, emphasizing His power, creatorship, and sovereignty. It signifies the psalmist is addressing the ultimate authority, the covenant God who is both omnipotent and just. The direct address conveys urgency and intimacy in the plea.
• of my praise: (Hebrew: תְּהִלָּתִֽי - tehillātî, literally "my praise"). This is a profound and unique designation. It implies God is not only the object of the psalmist's praise (He is the One to be praised) but also possibly the source or the very essence of the psalmist's praise and worship. Even amidst suffering, God remains the One worthy of all adoration. It might also mean that the psalmist's life is defined by praising God, and therefore God has a vested interest in vindicating His worshipper. This epithet contrasts sharply with the enemies' slander, reaffirming the psalmist's allegiance and devotion to God alone.
• do not keep silent: (Hebrew: אַל־תֶּחֱרַ֔שׁ - al-teḥe-rāš, a negative command from חָרַשׁ - charash, meaning to be silent, deaf, or plow/engrave). This is a strong and active imperative, urging God not to remain inactive, indifferent, or unresponsive. The word 'charash' can also carry the nuance of a silence that implies non-action, a stillness when action is desperately needed. It expresses the psalmist's profound pain over God's seeming lack of response to the injustice, or a fear that His silence would be interpreted as tacit approval or disregard. This plea reveals a deep trust that God can and should intervene decisively, and that His action is equivalent to His speaking on behalf of His afflicted servant.

Words-group analysis:

• "O God of my praise": This phrase frames the plea within the context of a personal and covenantal relationship. The psalmist approaches God not merely as a generic deity but as the One who is the very essence and reason for his devotion and worship. This highlights that the complaint arises from a deep trust and commitment, implying that God, as the object of praise, has an obligation to act on behalf of the one who praises Him, especially when that praise is under threat by false accusation.
• "do not keep silent": This petition reveals the depth of the psalmist's suffering and desperation. God's silence would imply absence, indifference, or a lack of justice in the face of blatant wrongdoing. It underscores the belief that God's voice, His word of judgment or vindication, is an active force. The plea is for God to speak through divine judgment and deliver His servant, thereby demonstrating His active presence and righteous character.

Psalm 109 1 Bonus section

The psalmist’s use of "God of my praise" sets a powerful contrast between his righteous devotion to God and the malicious words and actions of his adversaries. In the context of the entire psalm, which details the harsh and slanderous words of his enemies, this initial appeal is critical. It grounds the subsequent severe petitions in a relationship of sincere faith, demonstrating that the psalmist trusts God to handle the intricate matters of justice and retribution. The perceived divine silence is a theological problem for the afflicted: how can the just and all-powerful God allow such unrighteousness to prevail and suffer His faithful servant? This initial cry then sets the stage for a dramatic shift, from lament to a request for divine action, illustrating a foundational trust in God's ultimate active sovereignty.

Psalm 109 1 Commentary

Psalm 109:1 serves as a critical introductory prayer that frames the intense imprecations to follow not as an arbitrary outburst of rage, but as a fervent cry for justice to the righteous and sovereign God. The address "O God of my praise" is highly significant; it positions the psalmist as one whose identity and very life are defined by his devotion to God, implying that any affront against him is an affront against God Himself, given their deep bond. This intimate identification compels God to break His perceived silence. The petition "do not keep silent" is a plea for God to act and speak out on the psalmist's behalf, to render justice against the wicked who have oppressed and slandered him. It implies that God's silence would not only perpetuate injustice but might also be misunderstood as agreement with the adversaries or a lack of care for His faithful. Thus, this verse establishes the entire psalm as an appeal to God's character and justice, invoking divine intervention as the ultimate recourse when human means fail. It models how true believers, even in profound anguish, turn to God, their ultimate Vindicator and Rescuer. For practical usage, this verse encourages believers to voice their distress and sense of injustice to God directly, trusting that He, the God worthy of all praise, cares deeply for His own and will, in His time, deliver and make His justice known. It emphasizes relying on God for vindication rather than taking matters into one's own hands.