Psalm 109 8

Psalm 109:8 kjv

Let his days be few; and let another take his office.

Psalm 109:8 nkjv

Let his days be few, And let another take his office.

Psalm 109:8 niv

May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership.

Psalm 109:8 esv

May his days be few; may another take his office!

Psalm 109:8 nlt

Let his years be few;
let someone else take his position.

Psalm 109 verses

Psalm 109 8 Meaning

Psalm 109:8 is an imprecatory plea, a fervent prayer from David, the psalmist, asking God for swift divine judgment upon his treacherous accuser or enemy. It requests two specific forms of judgment: a shortened lifespan for the wicked individual and the transfer of their position of authority or responsibility to another. This expresses a desire for God's righteous justice to remove a harmful influence and replace it with someone else, implying divine rectification of a situation marred by injustice and malice.

Psalm 109 8 Context

Psalm 109 is a psalm of lament by David, characterized by its intense imprecations (curses) against his slanderous and ungrateful enemies. The psalmist expresses deep anguish due to false accusations and malicious attacks, particularly from one key adversary. He describes himself as afflicted, poor, and unjustly hated for his love. The imprecations in the psalm, including verse 8, are not expressions of personal revenge, but rather an appeal to God's covenant justice to act against those who actively oppose righteousness and attack His anointed. This is consistent with Old Testament thought, where God's justice involved bringing retribution upon evildoers. The historical context reflects a time when divine intervention was sought to vindicate the righteous and establish justice within the community, especially concerning those in positions of power or influence. The psalm ultimately anticipates God's judgment and the vindication of His servant.

Psalm 109 8 Word analysis

• ימיו (yā·māyv): Translates to "his days." This refers to the duration of the enemy's life.

  • Significance: In ancient Israel, a long life was generally seen as a blessing from God for obedience and righteousness, while a short life could indicate divine displeasure or judgment (Ex 20:12, Prov 10:27). The psalmist is praying for a curtailment of this blessing.

• מעטו (miʿəṭû): From the root מעט (ma'at), meaning "to be few," "to diminish," "to lessen." In this context, it translates to "be few" or "be shortened."

  • Significance: This signifies an untimely, premature end to life, cut short by divine intervention. It highlights the severity of the requested judgment.

• אחר (’aḥar): Means "another," "someone else," or "a different one."

  • Significance: This explicitly calls for a replacement, underscoring the desire for a complete dislodgment of the current office holder.

• יקח (yiqqaḥ): From the root לקח (laqah), meaning "to take," "to grasp," "to receive." Here, it's future tense: "he will take" or "he shall take."

  • Significance: This verb indicates a transfer of authority or position from one individual to another, a deliberate act of succession.

• פקדתו (pequddāthô): This is a crucial Hebrew word: פקֻדָּה (pequddah), meaning "his office," "his charge," "his oversight," "his appointment," or "his position." The suffix -tô means "his."

  • Significance: The root פקד (paqad) has a broad range of meanings including to "visit," "inspect," "appoint," "muster," "care for," or "punish." "Pequddah" can therefore refer to:
    • An office or position of authority: As seen in Acts 1:20, it referred to Judas's apostleship. This is an administrative, judicial, or priestly role that carries a specific charge or responsibility.
    • A visitation, often with the connotation of judgment: It can refer to divine accounting or punishment for wrongdoings. In this context, the transfer of "pequddah" suggests that the office itself might be associated with the divine charge given to its holder, which the psalmist believes has been abused or desecrated, thus warranting divine intervention for its transfer.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "May his days be few": This phrase expresses a petition for divine retribution, desiring that the lifespan of the enemy be severely curtailed. It signifies a judgment from God resulting in an early death, a common theme in Scripture for the wicked.
  • "May another take his office": This constitutes a prayer for the enemy's complete removal from their position of influence or authority and for that position to be filled by a successor. It signifies the stripping away of dignity, status, and any power they might wield, and the divine appointment of someone else to fulfill the role righteously. This dual petition covers both the life and the livelihood/influence of the wicked one.

Psalm 109 8 Bonus section

The imprecatory nature of Psalm 109, and verse 8 specifically, requires understanding within the broader biblical theology of justice. These psalms often articulate a profound cry for God to act against manifest evil, not a license for private retribution. David, as the king, stood as God's representative of justice in the nation, making his appeals for judgment on those who disrupt divine order deeply significant. The "office" (פקדתו, pequddathô) being taken by "another" highlights God's ongoing purpose; even when individuals fail or betray, God ensures His divine plans and purposes for His kingdom continue, raising up new instruments as needed. This continuity, powerfully seen in the selection of Matthias to replace Judas, underscores God's unfailing commitment to His Church and His mission, irrespective of human fallibility.

Psalm 109 8 Commentary

Psalm 109:8 serves as a potent plea for divine justice, where the psalmist calls upon God to end the wicked enemy's life prematurely and to divest them of their position of authority. This reflects a deep faith in God's righteousness, believing He will intervene to right wrongs. It is not an expression of personal vengeance but an appeal to God as the ultimate judge who has sovereignty over life and human appointments. The extraordinary fulfillment of this verse in the New Testament concerning Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:20) elevates its significance, demonstrating that even personal laments in the Psalms can carry profound prophetic weight concerning future divine judgments within salvation history. It highlights that betrayal and persistent malice against God's anointed will not go unpunished and that God will ensure His work continues through new instruments when old ones prove faithless. This verse reminds believers that God oversees all positions of authority and will hold individuals accountable, even replacing them when necessary to fulfill His divine purposes.