New International Version While they curse, may you bless; may those who attack me be put to shame, but may your servant rejoice. New Living Translation 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! English Standard Version Let them curse, but you will bless! They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad! Berean Standard Bible Though they curse, You will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but Your servant will rejoice. Berean Literal Bible They may curse, but You will bless; may they rise up, and be put to shame, and may Your servant rejoice! King James Bible Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice. New King James Version Let them curse, but You bless; When they arise, let them be ashamed, But let Your servant rejoice. New American Standard Bible They will curse, but You bless; When they arise, they will be ashamed, But Your servant will be glad. NASB 1995 Let them curse, but You bless; When they arise, they shall be ashamed, But Your servant shall be glad. NASB 1977 Let them curse, but do Thou bless; When they arise, they shall be ashamed, But Thy servant shall be glad. Legacy Standard Bible Let them curse, but You bless; They arise and will be put to shame, But Your slave shall be glad. Amplified Bible Let them curse, but You bless. When adversaries arise, let them be ashamed, But let Your servant rejoice. Berean Annotated Bible Though they curse, You will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but Your servant will rejoice. Christian Standard Bible Though they curse, you will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but your servant will rejoice. Holman Christian Standard Bible Though they curse, You will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but Your servant will rejoice. American Standard Version Let them curse, but bless thou: When they arise, they shall be put to shame, But thy servant shall rejoice. Contemporary English Version I don't care if they curse me, as long as you bless me. You will make my enemies fail when they attack, and you will make me glad to be your servant. English Revised Version Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, they shall be ashamed, but thy servant shall rejoice. GOD'S WORD® Translation They may curse, but you will bless. Let those who attack me be ashamed, but let me rejoice. Good News Translation They may curse me, but you will bless me. May my persecutors be defeated, and may I, your servant, be glad. International Standard Version They will curse, but you will bless. When they attack, they will be humiliated, while your servant rejoices. NET Bible They curse, but you will bless. When they attack, they will be humiliated, but your servant will rejoice. New Heart English Bible They may curse, but you bless. When they arise, they will be shamed, but your servant shall rejoice. Webster's Bible Translation Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThough they curse, You will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but Your servant will rejoice. World English Bible They may curse, but you bless. When they arise, they will be shamed, but your servant shall rejoice. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThey revile, and You bless, "" They have risen, and are ashamed, "" And Your servant rejoices. Berean Literal Bible They may curse, but You will bless; may they rise up, and be put to shame, and may Your servant rejoice! Young's Literal Translation They revile, and Thou dost bless, They have risen, and are ashamed, And Thy servant doth rejoice. Smith's Literal Translation They will curse and thou wilt bless: they arose and they shall be ashamed; and thy servant shall be glad. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThey will curse and thou will bless: let them that rise up against me be confounded: but thy servant shall rejoice. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible Though they curse, may you bless; arise, shame them, that your servant may rejoice. New Revised Standard Version Let them curse, but you will bless. Let my assailants be put to shame; may your servant be glad. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleLet them be cursed; but thou shalt be blessed, and let thou thy servant rejoice. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated They will be cursed and you will be blessed and your Servant will rejoice. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Let them curse, but bless Thou; When they arise, they shall be put to shame, but Thy servant shall rejoice. Brenton Septuagint Translation Let them curse, but thou shalt bless: let them that rise up against me be ashamed, but let thy servant rejoice. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context The Song of the Slandered…27Let them know that this is Your hand, that You, O LORD, have done it. 28Though they curse, You will bless. When they rise up, they will be put to shame, but Your servant will rejoice. 29May my accusers be clothed with disgrace; may they wear their shame like a robe.… Cross References Though they curse, You will bless. Numbers 23:20 I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it. Deuteronomy 23:5 Yet the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you. Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.” When they rise up, they will be put to shame, Isaiah 41:11 Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish. Jeremiah 17:18 Let my persecutors be put to shame, but do not let me be put to shame. Let them be terrified, but do not let me be terrified. Bring upon them the day of disaster and shatter them with double destruction. Psalm 35:26 May those who gloat in my distress be ashamed and confounded; may those who exalt themselves over me be clothed in shame and reproach. but Your servant will rejoice. Psalm 86:4 Bring joy to Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Psalm 35:9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and exult in His salvation. Isaiah 61:10 I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. Luke 6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. Romans 8:31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Matthew 27:12-14 And when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer. / Then Pilate asked Him, “Do You not hear how many charges they are bringing against You?” / But Jesus gave no answer, not even to a single charge, much to the governor’s amazement. Acts 7:60 Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Treasury of Scripture Let them curse, but bless you: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let your servant rejoice. let them Psalm 109:17 As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him. Numbers 22:12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed. Numbers 23:20,23 Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it… but let Isaiah 65:13-16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: … John 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Jump to Previous Arise Ashamed Assailants Attack Bless Blessing Curse Curses Glad Rejoice Revile Rise Risen Servant Shame ShamedJump to Next Arise Ashamed Assailants Attack Bless Blessing Curse Curses Glad Rejoice Revile Rise Risen Servant Shame ShamedPsalm 109 1. David complains of his slanderous enemies16. He shows their sin 21. Complaining of his own misery, he prays for help 29. He promises thankfulness Though they curse, You will bless. Human hostility cannot overturn God’s purpose for His servant. As with Balaam’s failed attempts to curse Israel, the Lord can turn the designs of enemies toward the good of those He protects. Num 23:20 I have indeed received a command to bless;… When they rise up, they will be put to shame, Those who publicly oppose the righteous may appear strong for a time, but God brings their schemes to nothing. Their shame follows the collapse of their rebellion, as happened to Haman when his plot against the Jews was exposed. Isa 41:11 Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed… but Your servant will rejoice. David’s confidence rests in God’s justice and deliverance. The servant’s joy comes not from personal revenge, but from seeing the Lord vindicate His name and preserve those who trust Him. Psa 86:4 Bring joy to Your servant, for to You, O Lord,… Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidTraditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 109, David is expressing his trust in God's justice despite being cursed by his enemies. 2. Enemies of David These are the individuals or groups who are cursing David, seeking his downfall. 3. God The central figure who blesses David despite the curses from his enemies. 4. Servant Refers to David himself, who remains faithful and expects God's blessing. 5. Israel The broader context of the nation that David leads, often facing external and internal threats. Teaching Points Trust in Divine JusticeBelievers are encouraged to trust that God will handle their adversaries and that His justice will prevail. Responding to Curses with Faith Instead of retaliating, Christians should respond to curses with faith in God's blessing and protection. Rejoicing in God's Faithfulness Even when faced with opposition, believers can find joy in knowing that God is on their side and will ultimately vindicate them. The Power of Blessing The act of blessing those who curse us is a powerful testimony of faith and trust in God's sovereignty. Shame of the Wicked The eventual shame of those who rise against God's people serves as a reminder of the futility of opposing God's will. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 109:28?2. How can Psalm 109:28 guide our response to those who curse us? 3. What does "they curse, but You will bless" reveal about God's sovereignty? 4. How does Psalm 109:28 connect with Jesus' teachings on loving enemies? 5. In what ways can we trust God to vindicate us, as in Psalm 109:28? 6. How can Psalm 109:28 encourage us to focus on God's blessings over curses? 7. How does Psalm 109:28 reflect God's justice in the face of human cursing? 8. What historical context influenced the writing of Psalm 109:28? 9. How does Psalm 109:28 align with the theme of divine protection? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 109? (28-31) It is impossible not to notice the anti-climax in these verses, if they are spoken by the same person as Psalm 109:16-20, and directed against the same enemies, of whom the one there singled out is the prominent figure. It is not only that the effect is weakened by the change back to the plural number, but the same imprecations are repeated in a diluted and modified form. But perhaps in Psalm 109:28 we should drop the optative, and read, "they will curse, but thou dost bless."Verse 28. - Let them curse, but bless thou; i.e. "Let them curse, if they will. What matters it? Provided only that thou blessest." When they arise. When they attempt to put their malevolent designs in act. Let them be ashamed; or, "they shall be ashamed" (Revised Version); i.e. they shall fail so utterly, that they shall be covered with shame. But let thy servant rejoice; rather, but thy servant shall rejoice. "Thy servant" is the psalmist himself (comp. Psalm 69:17). He will rejoice at their failure, which secures his safety. Psalm 109:28 shows a divine pattern: curses come, but God blesses; enemies rise, but God overturns; shame falls on the wicked, but joy rests on the servant. The believer’s confidence is rooted not in self-defense but in the Lord’s sure defense, turning every curse into an occasion for blessing and praise. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Though theyהֵמָּה֮ (hêm·māh) Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They curse, יְקַֽלְלוּ־ (yə·qal·lū-) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7043: To be slight, swift or trifling You וְאַתָּ֪ה (wə·’at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you will bless. תְבָ֫רֵ֥ךְ (ṯə·ḇā·rêḵ) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 1288: To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse When they rise up, קָ֤מוּ ׀ (qā·mū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand they will be put to shame, וַיֵּבֹ֗שׁוּ (way·yê·ḇō·šū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 954: To pale, to be ashamed, to be disappointed, delayed but Your servant וְֽעַבְדְּךָ֥ (wə·‘aḇ·də·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant will rejoice. יִשְׂמָֽח׃ (yiś·māḥ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome Additonal Resources Psalm 109:28 Blue Letter BiblePsalm 109:28 Bible Gateway Psalm 109:28 Bible.com Psalm 109:28 NIV |
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