Psalm 109

“O God, whom I praise, don’t stand silent and aloof while the wicked slander me and tell lies about me.” (Psalm 109:1–2, NLT)

We have all had people say unkind things to us or talk about us behind our backs. It is always painful—especially when they are saying things that aren’t true. But what should we do about it?

David had many such enemies who were telling lies about him. They were accusing him of doing things he had never done. Psalm 109 was David’s most severe imprecatory psalm where He prayed for God to judge his enemies. David had done them good, but now they returned evil for good. So David prayed that evil would come upon them.

How are we to react when others have slandered us or returned evil for good? Jesus told us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). Paul told the Ephesians to get rid of all bitterness (Ephesians 4:31). And Paul wrote to the Romans, saying:

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” (Romans 12:19, ESV)

We must not avenge ourselves or “get even”. Instead we must seek to do good to those who hate us and pray for those who spitefully use us and persecute us (Matthew 5:44). These things are hard to do. They go against our nature. We want to pay them back, cut them off, or bear a grudge. But God says, “Entrust the situation to me and continue to do good.”

While David spent much of this psalm calling for curses upon wicked people, he ended on a note of trust and surrender to God.

“With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD; I will praise him in the midst of the throng. For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.” (Psalm 109:30–31, ESV)

We cannot control what others say about us, but we can give the situation to God. We can continue to praise Him for His goodness in our lives. And we can trust Him to stand with us and save us from all evildoers.

David also wrote:

“Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land.” (Psalm 37:7–9, NLT)

God sees everything and hears every conversation. The wicked may prosper for a season, but God will have the last word. He rescues the faithful and gives them an everlasting inheritance.