Psalms 109:6
Psalms 109:6 in Multiple Translations
Set over him a wicked man; let an accuser stand at his right hand.
Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.
Set thou a wicked man over him; And let an adversary stand at his right hand.
Put an evil man over him; and let one be placed at his right hand to say evil of him.
“Appoint someone wicked over him. Have someone stand as an accuser against him.
Set thou the wicked ouer him, and let the aduersarie stand at his right hand.
Appoint Thou over him the wicked, And an adversary standeth at his right hand.
Set a wicked man over him. Let an adversary stand at his right hand.
Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.
He shall judge among nations, he shall fill ruins: he shall crush the heads in the land of the many.
They said, “Appoint a wicked judge who will judge him, and bring in one of his enemies who will stand up and accuse him.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 109:6
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 109:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הַפְקֵ֣ד
עָלָ֣י/ו
רָשָׁ֑ע
וְ֝/שָׂטָ֗ן
יַעֲמֹ֥ד
עַל
יְמִינֽ/וֹ
הַפְקֵ֣ד
pâqad
H6485
to reckon
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
עָלָ֣י/ו
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
רָשָׁ֑ע
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
וְ֝/שָׂטָ֗ן
sâṭân
H7854
Satan
Conj | N-ms
יַעֲמֹ֥ד
ʻâmad
H5975
to stand
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
יְמִינֽ/וֹ
yâmîyn
H3225
Ben]jamin
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 109:6
הַפְקֵ֣ד
pâqad
H6485
"to reckon"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
This word means to visit or oversee, and can imply a range of actions, from friendly to hostile. It is used in various contexts, including appointing, avenging, or delivering something into someone's care. The KJV translates it in many ways, including appoint, avenge, or commit.
Definition: : list/count 1) to attend to, muster, number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint, look after, care for 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pay attention to, observe 1a2) to attend to 1a3) to seek, look about for 1a4) to seek in vain, need, miss, lack 1a5) to visit 1a6) to visit upon, punish 1a7) to pass in review, muster, number 1a8) to appoint, assign, lay upon as a charge, deposit 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be sought, be needed, be missed, be lacking 1b2) to be visited 1b3) to be visited upon 1b4) to be appointed 1b5) to be watched over 1c) (Piel) to muster, call up 1d) (Pual) to be passed in review, be caused to miss, be called, be called to account 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to set over, make overseer, appoint an overseer 1e2) to commit, entrust, commit for care, deposit 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be visited 1f2) to be deposited 1f3) to be made overseer, be entrusted 1g) (Hithpael) numbered 1h) (Hothpael) numbered
Usage: Occurs in 269 OT verses. KJV: appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want. See also: Genesis 21:1; Numbers 26:47; Psalms 8:5.
עָלָ֣י/ו
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
רָשָׁ֑ע
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
וְ֝/שָׂטָ֗ן
sâṭân
H7854
"Satan"
Conj | N-ms
Satan is the arch-enemy of good, an opponent who withstands God and humanity. This name is used in the Bible to describe the devil or a personal adversary, often in books like Job and 1 Peter.
Definition: This name means adversary, one who withstands 1a) adversary (in general-personal or national) 2) superhuman adversary 2a) Satan (as noun pr)
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: adversary, Satan, withstand. See also: Numbers 22:22; Job 1:8; Psalms 109:6.
יַעֲמֹ֥ד
ʻâmad
H5975
"to stand"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
Means 'to stand' in a strong sense, like in Exodus 17:12 where Moses stood with his arms up to help Israel win a battle.
Definition: : stand/stop/establish 1) to stand, remain, endure, take one's stand 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stand, take one's stand, be in a standing attitude, stand forth, take a stand, present oneself, attend upon, be or become servant of 1a2) to stand still, stop (moving or doing), cease 1a3) to tarry, delay, remain, continue, abide, endure, persist, be steadfast 1a4) to make a stand, hold one's ground 1a5) to stand upright, remain standing, stand up, rise, be erect, be upright 1a6) to arise, appear, come on the scene, stand forth, appear, rise up or against 1a7) to stand with, take one's stand, be appointed, grow flat, grow insipid 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to station, set 1b2) to cause to stand firm, maintain 1b3) to cause to stand up, cause to set up, erect 1b4) to present (one) before (king) 1b5) to appoint, ordain, establish 1c) (Hophal) to be presented, be caused to stand, be stood before
Usage: Occurs in 497 OT verses. KJV: abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry. See also: Genesis 18:8; Joshua 21:44; 1 Chronicles 6:17.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
יְמִינֽ/וֹ
yâmîyn
H3225
"Ben]jamin"
N-fs | Suff
Benjamin was a son of Israel and Rachel, and the brother of Joseph, mentioned in Genesis 35:18. The name also refers to the right hand or south direction.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.35.18; son of: Israel (H3478) and Rachel (H7354); brother of: Joseph (H3130); half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); father of: Bela (H1106A), Becher (H1071), Ashbel (H0788), Gera (H1617), Naaman (H5283), Ehi (H0278), Rosh (H7220), Muppim (H4649), Huppim (H2650H), Ard (H0714), Ahiram (H0297) and Jediael (H3043); also called Jamin at 1Sa.9.1,4; 22.7; 1x Another name of bin.ya.min (בִּנְיָמִין "Benjamin" H1144G)
Usage: Occurs in 134 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] left-handed, right (hand, side), south. See also: Genesis 13:9; Psalms 18:36; Psalms 16:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 109:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 109:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 109:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 109:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 109:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 109:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 109:6
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 109:6
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 109:6
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 109:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 109:6
- Sermons on Psalms 109:6
Context — The Song of the Slandered
4In return for my love they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.
5They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
6Set over him a wicked man; let an accuser stand at his right hand.
7When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayer be regarded as sin. 8May his days be few; may another take his position.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zechariah 3:1 | Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. |
| 2 | Matthew 5:25 | Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. |
| 3 | Matthew 27:4 | “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.” |
| 4 | John 13:2 | The evening meal was underway, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. |
| 5 | John 13:27 | And when Judas had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to Judas, “What you are about to do, do quickly.” |
Psalms 109:6 Summary
In Psalms 109:6, the psalmist is asking God to allow someone evil to be in charge of his enemy, and for that enemy to be accused and found guilty. This is not about seeking revenge, but about trusting in God's justice and sovereignty, as seen in Psalms 37:5-6. The psalmist is saying, 'God, I trust you to take care of this situation and to bring justice to those who have wronged me.' This is a powerful reminder that we can trust God to handle the difficult situations in our lives, and that He is always working for our good, as promised in Romans 8:28.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'set over him a wicked man' in Psalms 109:6?
This phrase means to appoint or assign someone evil to be in charge of or to oversee the person being spoken of, much like how God allowed Satan to test Job in Job 1:6-12. This is a call for God's judgment to be carried out on those who have wronged the psalmist.
Is the psalmist seeking revenge in Psalms 109:6?
While it may seem that way, the psalmist is actually calling for God's justice to be served, as seen in Psalms 109:4-5 where he explains how he has been wronged. This is not about personal revenge, but about God's righteous judgment, as taught in Deuteronomy 32:4.
What is the significance of the 'accuser' in Psalms 109:6?
The accuser, or adversary, is one who brings charges against someone, much like Satan is described as the accuser of the brethren in Revelation 12:10. In this context, the psalmist is asking for God to allow his enemy to be accused and found guilty in God's court, as a form of judgment for their wicked deeds, similar to the concept in Romans 3:4.
How does this verse relate to Jesus' teachings on forgiveness?
While Jesus teaches us to forgive our enemies in Matthew 5:44, Psalms 109:6 is a call for God's justice, not a personal vendetta. It highlights the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and justice, rather than taking matters into our own hands, as seen in Romans 12:19.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I have seen God's justice played out in my life or in the lives of others, and how has it impacted my trust in Him?
- How do I balance the desire for God's justice with the command to forgive my enemies, and what does this look like in my relationships?
- In what ways can I, like the psalmist, trust in God's sovereignty and justice when I feel wronged or persecuted, as seen in Psalms 37:5-6?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to surrender to God's justice and trust in His goodness, rather than trying to take control myself?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 109:6
Set thou a wicked man over him,.... Or "them", as the Syriac version; over everyone of his adversaries, and all of them: and which may be interpreted, as it is by Cocceius, of tyrannical princes and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 109:6
Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand. Set thou a wicked man over him - as his superior, armed with judicial authority to execute God's judgment on him.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 109:6
A wicked man, Heb. the wicked; which may be understood either, 1. Of some wicked tyrant, which may rule him with rigour and cruelty. Or, 2. Of Satan, who is mentioned in the next clause. Let him be delivered over to Satan, to be acted and ruled by him at his pleasure. Over him; either, 1. All mine enemies; for the singular number is sometimes used in like manner. Or rather, 2. One particular enemy, who was worse than any of the rest, more implacable and inexcusable, whom he thought not fit to express by name, nor was it in the least necessary to do so, because he was. speaking to God, who knew his thoughts, and whom he meant. Stand at his right hand; either, 1.
To molest and vex him, and hinder him in all his affairs; for the right hand is the great instrument of action. Or rather, 2. To accuse him; for this was the place and posture of accusers in the Jewish courts. And as for his condemnation, which is the consequence of this accusation, that follows in the next verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 109:6
Psalms 109:6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.Ver. 6. Set thou a wicked man over him] Whose tender mercies may be cruelties; let the devil be his taskmaster. Thus he prayed against Doeg, or Ahithophel, but certainly Judas, Acts 1:20. And so the primitive Christians prayed against Julian the apostate, and afterwards against Arius the heretic, whose death was precationis opus non morbi, the effect of prayer, rather than of his disease, saith Socrates, lib. i. cap. 15. We are bound to pray daily, "Thy kingdom come," but must be advised how we pray, as David here doth, against particular persons; his curses here and elsewhere are indefinite, or conditional; either he nameth not the man, or intendeth it if God intend it so; or they are non tam vota quam vaticinia, not so much prayers as prophecies. And let Satan (or an adversary) stand at his right hand] To withstand him and get the better of him, as Zechariah 3:1. Or, to aggravate his fault before an unjust judge.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 109:6
(6) Set thou a wicked man over him.—This rendering is abundantly confirmed by Leviticus 26:16; Numbers 4:27; Numbers 27:16; Jeremiah 15:3; Jeremiah 51:27, against Hitzig’s proposed “Pronounce against him—guilty,” which also would only anticipate Psalms 109:7. (Comp., too, the noun “office” in Psalms 109:8, from the same verb.) The wish expressed is that the persons indicated may fall into the hands of an unscrupulous judge. If, however, we are to think of the divine judgment, then this clause must be taken as exactly parallel to the next: “Appoint a wicked man against him.” Here the imprecatory part of the psalm begins, and it has been ingeniously argued that the whole of it (Psalms 109:6-20) is a quotation, giving, not the psalmist’s curse on his foes, but theirs on him. Such quotations, without any introductory words, are common, and the theory is tenable, but improbable. Satan.—By no means here a proper name, though the LXX. and Vulg. have diabolus. The use of the same word in Psalms 109:4; Psalms 109:20; Psalms 109:29 is decisive on giving it the general meaning, “adversary” (as in margin) here; even though without the article. Satan is used for the tempting angel in 1 Chronicles 21:1, and in Zechariah 3:1 we find the same post, “at the right hand,” assigned to the accuser. An unscrupulous judge and an adversary as accuser, these are the substance of this imprecation.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 109:6
Verse 6. Let Satan stand at his right hand.] As the word שטן satan means an adversary simply, though sometimes it is used to express the evil spirit Satan, I think it best to preserve here its grammatical meaning: "Let an adversary stand at his right hand:" i.e., Let him be opposed and thwarted in all his purposes. All the Versions have devil, or some equivocal word. The ARABIC has [Arabic] eblees, the chief of the apostate spirits; but the name is probably corrupted from the GREEK διαβολος diabolos; from which the LATIN diabolus. the ITALIAN diavolo, the SPANISH diablo, the FRENCH diable, the IRISH or CELTIC diabal, the DUTCH duivel, the GERMAN teufel, the ANGLO-SAXON deofal, and the ENGLISH devil, are all derived. The original, διαβολος, comes from διαβαλλειν to shoot or pierce through.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 109:6
6–20. The thought of the enormity of this ingratitude overmasters the Psalmist. He breaks out suddenly into a passionate prayer that due retribution may fall upon the chief offender. May the ruin he was planning for another overtake himself! The singular (‘over him’ &c.), which now takes the place of the plural, may be collective, the Psalmist’s enemies being regarded as a whole; or distributive, each one of the mass being singled out: but more probably it fastens upon the leader of the gang (Psalms 109:2) upon whom rests the real guilt. Cp. for the sudden transition Psalms 55:12 ff., Psalms 55:20 ff.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 109:6
Set thou a wicked man over him - This commences the imprecatory part of the psalm, extending to Psalms 109:20.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 109:6
6. Set thou a wicked man over him—Cause a wicked man to be appointed over him; that is, as a judge, as the next member and Psalms 109:7 show. The verb is in Hiphil imperative, grammatically the proper form of prayer.
Sermons on Psalms 109:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Through the Bible) Zechariah 1-5 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the second vision of the prophet Zachariah. The vision begins with Zachariah seeing a man with a measuring line in his hand, who is tasked wit |
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Ezra #4: Reasons for an Incomplete Temple, Part 2 by Ed Miller | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the importance of not giving up and quitting in the face of challenges. He emphasizes that God's answer to difficulties is not through human |
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A Merciful Attitude by Sandeep & Zac Poonen by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of mercy and being advocates for one another, highlighting the need to be honest about our struggles and to seek God's mercy in our lives. It |
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Recovery Through the Prophets: Isaiah by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon on Zechariah chapter 4, the speaker emphasizes the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit rather than human might or power in building the house of God and maintai |
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Mid South Conference 1978-10 Zechariah's Visions by Bob Clark | In this sermon, the speaker discusses a vision from the book of Zechariah. The vision is divided into three sections: the problem faced by Zechariah and the Lord, the purging that |
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The Firebrand Priest in the Filthy Clothes by Ian Paisley | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the concept of grace and its transformative power. He describes how every person is like a burning brand, destined for destruction, but thro |
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(Through the Bible) Zechariah by Zac Poonen | This sermon delves into the visions and messages received by the prophet Zechariah, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, the new covenant fellowship, the need for young and old |