Psalm 109 28

Psalm 109:28 kjv

Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice.

Psalm 109:28 nkjv

Let them curse, but You bless; When they arise, let them be ashamed, But let Your servant rejoice.

Psalm 109:28 niv

While they curse, may you bless; may those who attack me be put to shame, but may your servant rejoice.

Psalm 109:28 esv

Let them curse, but you will bless! They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad!

Psalm 109:28 nlt

Then let them curse me if they like,
but you will bless me!
When they attack me, they will be disgraced!
But I, your servant, will go right on rejoicing!

Psalm 109 verses

Psalm 109 28 Meaning

Psalm 109:28 encapsulates a profound statement of divine reversal and the unwavering trust of God's servant amidst hostility. Despite the active curses and rising opposition of adversaries, the psalmist expresses a confident assurance that the Lord will actively bless, vindicating His servant and bringing shame upon the enemies, leading to the servant's joy. It underscores God's sovereignty over all human efforts to harm His chosen ones.

Psalm 109 28 Context

Psalm 109 is a profound and intensely personal imprecatory psalm, part of the "Davidic Psalms," expressing the psalmist's deep anguish and appeal for divine justice against false accusers and malicious enemies. David, as the king and God's anointed servant, pours out his heart over slander, betrayal, and unprovoked hatred. The psalm begins with a cry for help (v. 1-5), transitions into severe imprecations against his primary adversary and their descendants (v. 6-20), then shifts back to a lament concerning his own suffering and weakness (v. 21-25). Verse 28 serves as a pivotal point, moving from the despair and calls for vengeance to an unwavering statement of trust and confidence in God's counter-action. It encapsulates the spiritual battle: human malevolence against divine faithfulness.

Psalm 109 28 Word analysis

• "Let them curse" (יְקַלְלֽוּנִי - yeqalleluni): Derived from the Hebrew root qalal, meaning "to be light," "to treat lightly," or "to curse." The verb form here implies an active, persistent, and unprovoked cursing or maligning. It highlights the enemies' deliberate intention to devalue, disparage, and bring harm or dishonor through their words. The "me" is inherent in the Hebrew suffix, referring to the psalmist.

• "but You bless" (וְאַתָּה תְבָרֵךְ - ve'attah tevarekh): This creates a direct and powerful antithesis. The verb barakh means "to kneel" and then "to bless," signifying divine favor, bestowal of good, and empowerment. The contrast emphasizes God's sovereign and overwhelming power to counter human wickedness. While they curse, God actively, certainly, and decisively blesses, turning their malicious intent to nothing.

• "when they arise" (יָקוּמוּ - yāqūmū): From qum, "to rise," "to stand up," or "to establish." In this context, it suggests hostile action, a unified movement, or a bold posture taken by the enemies to carry out their evil intentions, to assert themselves against the psalmist, or to publicly slander him.

• "they shall be ashamed" (יֵבֹשׁוּ - yēvōshū): From bosh, meaning "to be ashamed," "to be confounded," or "to suffer public disgrace." This signifies the humiliation that will fall upon the enemies when their malicious plots fail, their false accusations are exposed, and their intended harm rebounds upon them. Their rising up in opposition will ultimately lead to their public downfall and discredit.

• "but Your servant" (וְעַבְדְּךָ - ve'avdekha): "Your servant" here specifically refers to David, identifying him as one chosen, dedicated, and loyal to the Lord. This designation implies a covenant relationship and divine protection. It sets the psalmist apart from his adversaries, emphasizing his righteous standing before God. It also bears a Messianic echo, pointing to Christ, the ultimate suffering and vindicated Servant of the Lord.

• "shall rejoice" (יִשְׂמָח - yiśmaḥ): From samaḥ, "to be joyful," "to be glad," "to exult." This indicates a deep, inner satisfaction and triumphant gladness experienced by the psalmist due to God's intervention, vindication, and blessing. His joy is the definitive reversal of the shame and sorrow that the enemies sought to inflict.

• "Let them curse, but You bless": This phrase highlights God's ultimate authority and supremacy over human ill will. Human curses are ineffective against divine blessing; God's favor overwhelms all adversarial efforts.

• "when they arise, they shall be ashamed, but Your servant shall rejoice": This illustrates the direct consequences of divine intervention. The active posture of the enemies (arising to act) leads to their downfall and disgrace, while the humble position of the servant leads to joy and vindication. It underscores God's commitment to vindicating the righteous.

Psalm 109 28 Bonus section

This verse perfectly exemplifies the biblical principle of antithetical parallelism, where contrasting ideas are juxtaposed to highlight a truth more emphatically (curse/bless, ashamed/rejoice). It affirms that the Lord is actively engaged in the affairs of His people, not a passive observer. The vindication of "Your servant" points to a consistent biblical theme that God defends those who humbly serve Him, ultimately exemplified in Jesus Christ, who endured false accusations and shame yet was ultimately exalted. The "joy" here is not merely an emotional state but the fruit of divine deliverance and demonstrated righteousness.

Psalm 109 28 Commentary

Psalm 109:28 offers a powerful theological declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and unwavering commitment to His faithful servants. Despite the intensity of the curses and rising malice of adversaries, the psalmist expresses profound confidence in God's counter-action. This verse moves from the depths of lament and imprecation to the heights of trust. The core message is that God's blessing is the ultimate antidote to human cursing; His divine favor is superior to all evil intent. Those who rise against God's anointed will invariably face shame, as their efforts will be rendered futile and exposed for their wickedness. Conversely, the "servant" – one in right relationship with God, dedicated and loyal – will experience profound joy and vindication because the Lord Himself intervenes on their behalf. It is a prophetic whisper that despite persecution, divine justice prevails, leading to the public triumph of God’s people. This truth encourages unwavering faith even when faced with the fiercest opposition, reminding believers that their ultimate source of blessing and vindication rests in the hands of the Almighty.