Psalm 109
Encyclopedia
Psalm 109 is a psalm noted for containing some of the most frighteningly severe curses in the Bible, such as:
and:
and so on. For this reason the psalm is used by Thomas Hardy
in his novel The Mayor of Casterbridge
. The protagonist and hero of the story, Michael Henchard, is drinking with the choir after practice when he sees his rival, Donald Farfrae, whom he hates. He subsequently persuades the choir to sing Psalm 109. The choir master remarks of this psalm that,
"Twasn’t made for singing. We chose it once when the gypsy stole the parson’s mare, thinking to please him, but parson were quite upset. Whatever Servant David were thinking about when he made a Psalm that nobody can sing without disgracing himself, I can’t fathom."
quoted this verse, before the apostles elected the replacement for Judas Iscariot
in Acts 1:16-26.
In the United States, 109:8 "May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership" has been used by a number of fundamentalist preachers who use the imprecatory psalm as an imprecatory prayer. Pastor Greg Dixon of the Indianapolis Baptist Temple
had invoked it, which had been condemned by others.
In 2009, the media has reported more widely on its usage in reference to President Barack Obama
, by those such as Pastor Wiley Drake
.
In January 2010, a Florida officer was suspended from the force when he cited this verse, calling for the president's death.
- "Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children."
and:
- "Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out",
and so on. For this reason the psalm is used by Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy
Thomas Hardy, OM was an English novelist and poet. While his works typically belong to the Naturalism movement, several poems display elements of the previous Romantic and Enlightenment periods of literature, such as his fascination with the supernatural.While he regarded himself primarily as a...
in his novel The Mayor of Casterbridge
The Mayor of Casterbridge
The Mayor of Casterbridge , subtitled "The Life and Death of a Man of Character", is a tragic novel by British author Thomas Hardy. It is set in the fictional town of Casterbridge . The book is one of Hardy's Wessex novels, all set in a fictional rustic England...
. The protagonist and hero of the story, Michael Henchard, is drinking with the choir after practice when he sees his rival, Donald Farfrae, whom he hates. He subsequently persuades the choir to sing Psalm 109. The choir master remarks of this psalm that,
"Twasn’t made for singing. We chose it once when the gypsy stole the parson’s mare, thinking to please him, but parson were quite upset. Whatever Servant David were thinking about when he made a Psalm that nobody can sing without disgracing himself, I can’t fathom."
Verse 8
Apostle PeterPeter
- Given name :In religion:* Saint Peter , Jesus' disciple * Peter the Deacon , a confidant of Pope Gregory I and rector of Sicily* Peter , saint and Bishop of Pavia...
quoted this verse, before the apostles elected the replacement for Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot
Judas Iscariot was, according to the New Testament, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. He is best known for his betrayal of Jesus to the hands of the chief priests for 30 pieces of silver.-Etymology:...
in Acts 1:16-26.
In the United States, 109:8 "May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership" has been used by a number of fundamentalist preachers who use the imprecatory psalm as an imprecatory prayer. Pastor Greg Dixon of the Indianapolis Baptist Temple
Indianapolis Baptist Temple
The Indianapolis Baptist Temple is an Independent Baptist church based in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The church's building was seized by the U.S. federal government after the church refused to withhold taxes from employees' paychecks for 16 years....
had invoked it, which had been condemned by others.
In 2009, the media has reported more widely on its usage in reference to President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
, by those such as Pastor Wiley Drake
Wiley Drake
Wiley S. Drake is a California-based minister and radio host. He was the vice-presidential candidate for the America's Independent Party ticket in 2008,. Drake has drawn controversy for his use of imprecatory prayer. He is the pastor of the First Southern Baptist Church of Buena Park in Buena...
.
In January 2010, a Florida officer was suspended from the force when he cited this verse, calling for the president's death.
External links
- Tehillim - Psalm 109 (Judaica Press) translation with RashiRashiShlomo Yitzhaki , or in Latin Salomon Isaacides, and today generally known by the acronym Rashi , was a medieval French rabbi famed as the author of a comprehensive commentary on the Talmud, as well as a comprehensive commentary on the Tanakh...
's commentary at Chabad.orgChabad.orgChabad.org is the flagship website of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement. It serves not just its own members but Jews worldwide in general. It was one of the first Jewish internet sites and the first and largest virtual congregation.-History:... - - Praying for Obama's death