Psalm 109 12

Psalm 109:12 kjv

Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.

Psalm 109:12 nkjv

Let there be none to extend mercy to him, Nor let there be any to favor his fatherless children.

Psalm 109:12 niv

May no one extend kindness to him or take pity on his fatherless children.

Psalm 109:12 esv

Let there be none to extend kindness to him, nor any to pity his fatherless children!

Psalm 109:12 nlt

Let no one be kind to him;
let no one pity his fatherless children.

Psalm 109 verses

Psalm 109 12 Meaning

Psalm 109:12 is a fervent petition to God for divine justice against a deceitful and cruel enemy. It implores that no one—neither human nor God—would extend kindness or steadfast love (chesed) to this wicked individual, nor show pity or favor (ḥānan) to his vulnerable, fatherless children. This verse emphasizes the complete and utter withdrawal of divine and human compassion and the total severing of the wicked man's future legacy as a consequence of his profound wickedness, signifying an all-encompassing judgment upon him and his house.

Psalm 109 12 Context

Psalm 109 is a profound and intensely personal imprecatory psalm attributed to David. It arises from deep anguish, betrayal, and unrighteous accusation against the psalmist, who expresses a righteous indignation and appeals for divine judgment rather than personal vengeance. The psalm paints a picture of a cruel and deceitful enemy (vv. 2-5) who has slandered David despite his acts of love. Verses 6-19 comprise a series of severe curses. Verse 12 is embedded within these specific maledictions, aiming at the complete desolation of the wicked accuser and his family. The historical and cultural context is crucial: in ancient Near Eastern society, a person's name and lineage were integral to their identity and legacy. A curse involving children and cutting off offspring was a dire judicial pronouncement, signifying complete eradication, especially for profound acts of treachery or rebellion against God or His anointed. It implies that the wicked one's actions were so heinous they merited the cessation of his very house and future.

Psalm 109 12 Word analysis

• Let there be none: This opening phrase functions as a strong imperative or optative, expressing a profound desire and petition for a complete absence of compassion, help, or succor from any quarter. It signifies total isolation and abandonment.
• to extend mercy: The Hebrew word is chesed (חֶסֶד), which means steadfast love, loving-kindness, loyalty, covenant faithfulness, and enduring mercy. Its absence in this context signifies a complete and utter withdrawal of divine and human compassion. It implies that the wicked man's actions are so egregious that he merits no experience of God's faithful love or kindness from others, which is foundational to a covenant relationship.
• to him: Refers directly to the wicked individual who is the target of the psalmist's complaint and imprecation—the slanderer and adversary from the preceding verses.
• neither let there be any: This phrase reiterates and emphasizes the preceding point. The dual negation underlines the psalmist's earnest plea for the absolute lack of any kind of intervention or assistance for the wicked one.
• to favor: The Hebrew word is ḥānan (חָנַן). It means to be gracious, to show pity, to make a concession, or to grant a boon. While closely related to chesed, ḥānan often speaks of a specific act of compassion or a favorable disposition, especially towards the distressed. The prayer here is for the denial of any grace, sympathy, or undeserved advantage for the wicked man or his children.
• his fatherless children: The Hebrew word is yatom (יתום), which specifically denotes an orphan who has lost their father, making them highly vulnerable and dependent in ancient society. Biblical law and wisdom literature frequently highlight God's special care and protection for the fatherless and widows (e.g., Deut 10:18, Ps 68:5). To pray for no favor towards them underscores the extreme severity of the curse targeted at the wicked man's legacy and future. This is not a desire for the innocent to suffer randomly but reflects a holistic judicial curse against the house or lineage of a person whose wickedness was so profound that their very continuation was deemed an affront to divine justice. It illustrates the comprehensive judgment aimed at eradicating the wicked name and its future influence.

Psalm 109 12 Bonus section

The inclusion of "fatherless children" in the curse holds significant weight. While God is portrayed as the ultimate "Father of the fatherless" (Psa 68:5) and consistently champions the cause of the vulnerable (Deut 10:18, Jas 1:27), the petition in Psalm 109:12 is directed at the wicked man's descendants as part of the overall judgment against him. This reflects a broader biblical principle in the Old Testament, where the actions of a wicked leader or family head could incur consequences that extended to their offspring or "house" (e.g., 1 Sam 2:31-33 concerning Eli's house). This corporate understanding of justice was a powerful deterrent and demonstrated the complete judgment against extreme sin that defied God's order. Later prophecies, like Psalm 109:8 (used in Acts 1:20 regarding Judas Iscariot), illustrate that these imprecations could have a prophetic dimension, foretelling the judgment upon those who oppose God's ultimate plan, including His Messiah. Thus, the verse calls for a radical divine intervention to eliminate not only the present evil but also its potential future propagation.

Psalm 109 12 Commentary

Psalm 109:12 is a powerful expression within an imprecatory psalm, not an outburst of personal vindictiveness, but a plea for God's righteous judgment. The core of the verse requests a complete cessation of mercy (chesed) and favor (ḥānan) not just for the wicked man, but crucially, for his defenseless, fatherless children. This does not suggest a desire for innocent children to suffer for their father's sins, but rather, in the ancient Near Eastern understanding of divine judgment, it signifies a total eradication of the wicked one's lineage and name, thereby extinguishing his legacy and demonstrating the full scope of God's response to profound evil. It asserts that the sin of the wicked man is so egregious that no remnant of his influence, extending even to the continuation of his family line, should endure under God's righteous order. It's a prayer for ultimate justice to purify society by cutting off the source of deep iniquity.