Psalm 109 15

Psalm 109:15 kjv

Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

Psalm 109:15 nkjv

Let them be continually before the LORD, That He may cut off the memory of them from the earth;

Psalm 109:15 niv

May their sins always remain before the LORD, that he may blot out their name from the earth.

Psalm 109:15 esv

Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth!

Psalm 109:15 nlt

May the LORD always remember these sins,
and may his name disappear from human memory.

Psalm 109 verses

Psalm 109 15 Meaning

Psalm 109:15 is an imprecatory plea, a fervent request to God for the ongoing remembrance of the adversaries' iniquity and sin, specifically asking that their wrongdoing should never be erased or forgiven. It expresses a desire for perpetual divine judgment and the irreversible consequences of their actions, reflecting the Psalmist's intense suffering due to betrayal and false accusations.

Psalm 109 15 Context

Psalm 109 is a poignant lament and an imprecatory psalm, where David, falsely accused and maliciously attacked by his enemies and even a close companion, pours out his heart to God. The Psalmist describes the severe emotional and social distress caused by their venomous words and unprovoked hatred. Rather than seeking personal vengeance, David appeals directly to the LORD, the righteous judge, for divine intervention and retribution against those who have slandered him and acted with such malice. Verses 6-19 detail a series of strong curses against the main adversary and their descendants, escalating the petition for justice to severe consequences. Verse 15 specifically calls for God to remember their iniquity and ensure their sin is never removed, thus continuing the thread of judgment within the imprecatory section of the Psalm. Historically and culturally, a king's or a righteous person's petition for divine judgment against those who disrupt justice and order was a common expression, believing that God alone holds the scales of righteousness and is obligated to defend the innocent.

Psalm 109 15 Word analysis

• May their iniquity:

  • May: This optative form expresses a strong wish, prayer, or an imprecation from the Psalmist, indicating a fervent plea for something to occur. It reflects a personal and deeply felt desire, not a prediction.
  • their iniquity: The Hebrew word here is 'awon (עָווֹן). This term signifies more than just an isolated sinful act; it points to a deviation from the right path, a distortion of character, guilt, perversity, or the moral evil stemming from sin. It encompasses both the wrong committed and its consequent guilt or punishment. It highlights the deeply ingrained nature of their wrongdoing.

• be remembered:

  • be remembered: The Hebrew word is zakar (זָכַר). In this context, divine remembrance is not merely an intellectual recalling of facts but implies active awareness leading to decisive action. When God "remembers" iniquity, it often signals an impending judgment or retribution for persistent wrongdoing. It's the opposite of God overlooking, ignoring, or forgiving.

• before the LORD:

  • before the LORD: The Hebrew phrase li'Pnei YHWH (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה) signifies presence in God's direct sight or court. It underscores that this plea is made to the supreme Judge of all the earth, emphasizing the ultimate divine authority and the certainty of His cognizance. It's a declaration that these sins are not hidden but openly acknowledged in the divine presence for judgment.

• always:

  • always: The Hebrew word is tamid (תָּמִיד). This conveys the idea of perpetuity, continuance, or eternity. The Psalmist desires an unending remembrance of their sin by God, implying a continuous, non-stop application of divine judgment, without remission or expiration.

• may their sin:

  • may their sin: The Hebrew word used here is chattat (חַטָּאת). This term often refers to the specific act of "missing the mark," an offense, or a moral transgression that falls short of God's standard. While 'awon focuses on the moral perversity and guilt, chattat emphasizes the wrong deed itself. The parallel use with 'awon highlights both the character of their evil and the specific offenses they committed.

• never be blotted out:

  • never be blotted out: The Hebrew word for "blotted out" is machah (מָחָה). This means to wipe out, erase, obliterate, or utterly destroy. In the biblical context, blotting out sins implies forgiveness, removal, or the cancellation of guilt. When referring to being blotted out of the book of life (as in Ex 32:32, Ps 69:28), it means exclusion from the covenant community and divine favor, leading to destruction. Here, the Psalmist prays for the absence of this act of divine mercy, asking that their sin remains on record permanently, signifying a desire for unending divine wrath and an absolute lack of forgiveness.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "May their iniquity be remembered before the LORD always": This phrase articulates a desire for an unwavering, perpetual divine accountability. It’s a call for God's justice to be constant and ceaseless regarding the inherent wickedness and deep-seated guilt of the enemies, acknowledging God's omniscient record-keeping and His nature as an unchanging judge.
  • "may their sin never be blotted out": This reinforces the preceding desire for perpetual remembrance with a focus on the absence of forgiveness. It’s a profound imprecation that wishes for no divine pardon, no erasure of their specific wrongdoings, and thus, no relief from the just consequences, underscoring the severity of the offense against the Psalmist and the righteous indignation felt.

Psalm 109 15 Bonus section

The strong imprecatory language found in psalms like 109 often presents a tension for New Testament believers, who are called to love their enemies (Matt 5:44) and leave vengeance to God (Rom 12:19). However, understanding this psalm as a prayer offered to the ultimate judge of the universe, rather than a personal vendetta, is crucial. It reflects a fervent cry for justice when the human avenues of redress have failed, appealing to God's attribute of righteousness. The Psalmist acknowledges God as the rightful authority to execute justice and assumes a posture of surrender, entrusting the fate of the wicked to divine hands. This prayer also serves as a stark contrast to God's character of forgiveness, repeatedly emphasizing what is withheld from the unrepentant wicked in contrast to what God offers to the repentant, such as "remembering their sin no more" (Jer 31:34; Heb 8:12). It underscores that while God is abundant in mercy, there is a boundary for the persistently wicked who refuse to acknowledge Him and continually persecute the righteous.

Psalm 109 15 Commentary

Psalm 109:15 captures a moment of raw human emotion, expressing profound pain and a desperate cry for justice. The Psalmist, experiencing malicious betrayal and unfounded accusations, appeals to God, not to take personal revenge, but to enact divine retribution. The request that their iniquity be "remembered before the LORD always" is a call for God to continuously recall and act upon the offenders' deep moral corruption. To be "remembered" by God in this context implies a divine judgment and an inescapable reckoning. Complementarily, the plea that their sin "never be blotted out" is a request for the complete withholding of divine forgiveness and mercy. In ancient thought, "blotting out" sin was a metaphor for absolute forgiveness and removal of guilt; therefore, asking that it never be blotted out means the Psalmist desires a permanent state of guilt and unforgiven trespass, leading to enduring consequences. This verse encapsulates the intense longing for God's perfect justice to prevail against overwhelming evil, ensuring that evil deeds do not go unpunished. It underscores the Psalmist's unwavering faith that God sees, records, and will ultimately administer full and eternal justice.