5 They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship.

6 Appoint someone evil to oppose my enemy; let an accuser stand at his right hand. 7 When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayers condemn him. 8 May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership.

Other Translations of Psalm 109:5-8

King James Version

5 And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

6 Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan Satan: or, an adversary stand at his right hand. 7 When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: be condemned: Heb. go out guilty, or, wicked and let his prayer become sin. 8 Let his days be few; and let another take his office. office: or, charge

English Standard Version

5 So they reward me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

6 Appoint a wicked man against him; let an accuser stand at his right hand. 7 When he is tried, let him come forth guilty; let his prayer be counted as sin! 8 May his days be few; may another take his office!

The Message

5 They return my good with evil, they return my love with hate.

6 Send the Evil One to accuse my accusing judge; dispatch Satan to prosecute him. 7 When he's judged, let the verdict be, "Guilty," and when he prays, let his prayer turn to sin. 8 Give him a short life, and give his job to somebody else.

New King James Version

5 Thus they have rewarded me evil for good, And hatred for my love.

6 Set a wicked man over him, And let an accuser stand at his right hand. 7 When he is judged, let him be found guilty, And let his prayer become sin. 8 Let his days be few, And let another take his office.

New Living Translation

5 They repay evil for good, and hatred for my love.

6 They say, "Get an evil person to turn against him. Send an accuser to bring him to trial. 7 When his case comes up for judgment, let him be pronounced guilty. Count his prayers as sins. 8 Let his years be few; let someone else take his position.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 109:5-8

Commentary on Psalm 109:1-5

(Read Psalm 109:1-5)

It is the unspeakable comfort of all believers, that whoever is against them, God is for them; and to him they may apply as to one pleased to concern himself for them. David's enemies laughed at him for his devotion, but they could not laugh him out of it.

Commentary on Psalm 109:6-20

(Read Psalm 109:6-20)

The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and misery upon their posterity: it is sin, that mischievous, destructive thing. And what will be the effect of the sentence, "Go, ye cursed," upon the bodies and souls of the wicked! How it will affect the senses of the body, and the powers of the soul, with pain, anguish, horror, and despair! Think on these things, sinners, tremble and repent.