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Psalm 109:20

This is the reward of my adversaries from the LORD, of those who speak evil against my soul.

18He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment. It came into his inward parts like water, like oil into his bones.
19Let it be to him as the clothing with which he covers himself, for the belt that is always around him.
20This is the reward of my adversaries from the LORD, of those who speak evil against my soul.
21But deal with me, GOD the Lord, for your name’s sake, because your loving kindness is good, deliver me;
22for I am poor and needy. My heart is wounded within me.
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← Psalm 109:19Psalm 109:21 →
Notice

The “reward” here is a curse on those who speak evil, a severe appeal to YHWH from someone whose heart is wounded.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What troubles you, or makes sense to you, about calling this curse a “reward”?

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What difference does “from the LORD” make to how you read this demand for judgment?

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How does the wounded heart in verse 22 shape your reading of verse 20?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
2 Timothy 4:14Alexander the coppersmith did much evil to me. The Lord will repay him according to his deeds.Both passages name harm done by an adversary and look to the Lord to repay that harm.
Psalm 94:23He has brought on them their own iniquity, and will cut them off in their own wickedness. The LORD, our God, will cut them off.Both passages name the LORD as the source of judgment against people whose actions are evil.
1 Kings 2:44The king said moreover to Shimei, “You know in your heart all the wickedness that you did to David my father. Therefore the LORD will return your wickedness on …Both describe recompense from the LORD, with Shimei’s wickedness returning on his own head.
2 Samuel 18:32The king said to the Cushite, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” The Cushite answered, “May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rise up against …Both express a wish for enemies to suffer judgment, though the Cushite points to Absalom’s fate without naming the LORD.
Luke 19:27But bring those enemies of mine who didn’t want me to reign over them here, and kill them before me.’”Both concern enemies facing punishment, though Luke’s speaker commands their execution and the psalm names recompense from the LORD.
Matthew 26:66–67What do you think?” They answered, “He is worthy of death!”Both contain hostile speech, though Matthew records a death verdict and the psalm appeals to the LORD for recompense.
Matthew 11:19The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is …Both describe damaging speech against a person, with Matthew naming the accusations directed at the Son of Man.
Psalm 40:14–15Both seek judgment against adversaries who threaten the speaker’s soul, with Psalm 40 asking for their dishonor.
Mark 9:39But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name and be able quickly to speak evil of me.Both use the words “speak evil,” though Mark concerns restraining interference with someone acting in Jesus’ name.
2 Samuel 17:23When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey, arose, and went home to his city, set his house in order, and hanged himself; and …The connection is limited: Psalm 109 names divine recompense, while the account of Ahithophel’s death makes no such claim.
Psalm 71:10For my enemies talk about me. Those who watch for my soul conspire together,Both describe enemies whose speech targets the speaker, and both name the speaker’s soul as threatened.
Psalm 2:12Give sincere homage to the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish on the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all those who take refuge in him.Both speak of judgment, though Psalm 2 warns its hearers and Psalm 109 names recompense for the speaker’s adversaries.
Where this verse fits

Injustice and anger. work conflict. church hurt.

What the Bible says about anger →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Pray Psalm 109:21 after reading verse 20

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Encouragement

These words bring a wounded person’s demand for judgment before YHWH. They grant no permission to harm an adversary; the judgment named here comes from God.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 109:20. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 109 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).