Before writing a Bible Study or Sunday Psalm post, I like to read the passage or chapter a few times. When I first read Psalm 109, it hit me that what David was lamenting about is happening today to people who only want to do what’s right. Obviously, the same evil spirit that tormented David circa 976 BC, is still terrorizing leaders — and will continue! Let’s dig in…
Psalm 109
For the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 O God, whom I praise,
Psalm 109: 1-5 NLT
don’t stand silent and aloof
2 while the wicked slander me
and tell lies about me.
3 They surround me with hateful words
and fight against me for no reason.
4 I love them, but they try to destroy me with accusations
even as I am praying for them!
5 They repay evil for good,
and hatred for my love.
Pastor Sandy Adams explains what’s going on…
The dagger in David’s back had been put there by his son, Absolam, and his trusted counselor and good friend, Ahithophel. His own son and best friend had turned on him and conspired to steal his throne. Can you feel his pain? How deep can a dagger sink? David was heartbroken! I’ll tell you from experience, it doesn’t matter how often this happens to you it doesn’t get any easier the next time. [We find this story in 2 Samuel 15.]
You’ve heard the old saying, “You take care of your character and God will take care of your reputation.” That’s true, but David would add one more line. “And let Jesus take care of your wounds.” Pray about it.
Pastor Sandy Adams
An Evil Spirit’s Plot
The next part is what’s chilling. Some Bible scholars say this is an imprecatory psalm where the psalmist curses his enemies. Depending on which Bible version you’re reading, it may come across that way. However, in the NLT, it’s written as if David is the one who’s being cursed — which makes more sense to me. As you read it, you can feel the evil spirit behind the curse. Going on…
6 They say, “Get an evil person to turn against him.
Psalm 109: 6-19 NLT
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.
9 May his children become fatherless,
and his wife a widow.
10 May his children wander as beggars
and be driven from their ruined homes.
11 May creditors seize his entire estate,
and strangers take all he has earned.
12 Let no one be kind to him;
let no one pity his fatherless children.
13 May all his offspring die.
May his family name be blotted out in the next generation.
14 May the Lord never forget the sins of his fathers;
may his mother’s sins never be erased from the record.
15 May the Lord always remember these sins,
and may his name disappear from human memory.
16 For he refused all kindness to others;
he persecuted the poor and needy,
and he hounded the brokenhearted to death.
17 He loved to curse others;
now you curse him.
He never blessed others;
now don’t you bless him.
18 Cursing is as natural to him as his clothing,
or the water he drinks,
or the rich food he eats.
19 Now may his curses return and cling to him like clothing;
may they be tied around him like a belt.”
The Evil Spirit in Jesus’ Day
Let’s first go to Jesus’ time when he was falsely accused. They brought in fake witnesses and paraded Him before the High Priest, the Sanhedrin, King Herod, and finally Pontius Pilate. You can find this story in Matthew 26, Mark 14a, Mark 14b, Mark 15a, Luke 22, and John 18. Jesus was 100% innocent! He was the spotless lamb.
Now, let’s fast forward to current times. The same evil spirit that tormented David and was responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion is still alive and well falsely accusing people — even a nation. Furthermore, though the people accused may not be totally innocent (Remember, only Jesus was 100% innocent), still they were accused, tried, and found guilty of bogus charges.
- Israel’s Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has been accused of several crimes and corruption. Are they false? Only God knows.
- Israel was viciously attacked by Islamic Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. On December 29, 2023, South Africa filed a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). They alleged that while retaliating and trying to eliminate the ongoing threat from Hamas, they were committing genocide against the Palestinians.
- In the latest news, South Africa is trying to delay the ICJ case for lack of evidence! Gee, I wonder why. That’s what happens when truth prevails.
- The 3rd victim of the spirit of evil is the former American President, Donald Trump.
- 2 false impeachments
- 2 assassination attempts in 2 months
- 4 false criminal cases
- 34 bogus convictions
What’s next? God only knows.
Next, David prays to turn the curses around…
20 May those curses become the Lord’s punishment
for my accusers who speak evil of me.
21 But deal well with me, O Sovereign Lord,
for the sake of your own reputation!
Rescue me
because you are so faithful and good.
22 For I am poor and needy,
and my heart is full of pain.
23 I am fading like a shadow at dusk;
I am brushed off like a locust.
24 My knees are weak from fasting,
and I am skin and bones.
25 I am a joke to people everywhere;
when they see me, they shake their heads in scorn.26 Help me, O Lord my God!
Psalm 109:20-31 NLT
Save me because of your unfailing love.
27 Let them see that this is your doing,
that you yourself have done it, Lord.
28 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!
29 May my accusers be clothed with disgrace;
may their humiliation cover them like a cloak.
30 But I will give repeated thanks to the Lord,
praising him to everyone.
31 For he stands beside the needy,
ready to save them from those who condemn them.
Dealing with Evil Spirits in Today’s World
In the Parable of the Soils, Jesus tells us…
The seed [the Gospel truth] that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away.
Mark 4:15 NLT
Nevertheless, Satan loses in the end…
The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out.
John 12:31 NLT
Let’s take the advice written 2000 years ago:
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8 NLT
Good News! Jesus wins in the end!
In the meantime, to survive the attacks of the evil spirit, we need to…
- Be a Born-Again Believer
- Put on the Armor of God every day
- Never stop praying
- Don’t just read, but study the Bible DAILY
- Get involved with local Bible-believing Christian groups or a church.
Don’t Listen to Satan’s Lies! Flee from Satan! Run from any paganism!
Are You Ready?
If you’re not sure if you’re saved or not, if you truly want to be born again and have the assurance of salvation, receive the Holy Spirit, feel His Shalom — a peace that surpasses all understanding, and get a 1-way, non-stop ticket to Heaven after you die, or that you won’t be left behind at the Rapture, which can happen at any moment, this is what you have to do…
Believe. Repent. Be Baptized. Receive the Holy Spirit.
- Believe — have Faith — that Jesus is the Christ and He died taking your sins away forever and that He rose from the dead 3 days later.
- Repent of your sins — stop sinning! Do a complete 180-degree turn in your life and surrender your life to Him. When you ask Jesus to forgive you He will. ALL your sins will be wiped clean — past, present, and future! And All means ALL!
- Be Baptized by water baptism — show the world and yourself that you have died to your old life and are born again in Christ.
- Receive the gift of Holy Spirit in your heart.
