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Psalm 109:4

In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I am in prayer.

2for they have opened the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit against me. They have spoken to me with a lying tongue.
3They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause.
4In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I am in prayer.
5They have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
6Set a wicked man over him. Let an adversary stand at his right hand.
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← Psalm 109:3Psalm 109:5 →
Notice

Love meets hostility here, and the turn toward prayer leaves the betrayal exposed rather than explaining it away or promising that enemies will change.

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

When, if ever, has love been met with hostility in your own relationships?

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How does the harsh request in verse 6 affect your reading of the prayer in verse 4?

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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
Colossians 4:2Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,Both texts describe remaining in prayer; Colossians adds watchfulness and thanksgiving to that shared practice.
Romans 12:12rejoicing in hope, enduring in troubles, continuing steadfastly in prayer,Both texts connect prayer with trouble: the psalm names adversaries, while Romans speaks of endurance and hope.
Psalm 38:20They who give evil for good are also adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.Both speakers describe people becoming their adversaries in return for love or good.
Micah 7:7But as for me, I will look to the LORD. I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.Both speakers turn toward God; Micah names waiting for salvation and confidence that God will hear.
Psalm 120:7I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.Both speakers describe goodwill meeting hostility: love receives opposition, and speech from someone seeking peace meets war.
Psalm 69:12–13Those who sit in the gate talk about me. I am the song of the drunkards.Both speakers face hostile treatment from others; Psalm 69 names public talk and the drunkards’ song.
Psalm 35:7For without cause they have hidden their net in a pit for me. Without cause they have dug a pit for my soul.Both speakers describe undeserved hostility: one has offered love, and the other faces traps laid without cause.
Luke 23:34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots.Both passages place prayer amid hostile treatment; Jesus’ prayer asks the Father to forgive those harming him.
Luke 6:11–12But they were filled with rage, and talked with one another about what they might do to Jesus.Both passages describe hostility directed at a person; Luke names rage and discussion of action against Jesus.
Job 16:20My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God,Both speakers turn to God while facing hostile treatment from other people; Job names scoffing and tears.
2 Corinthians 12:15I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?Both passages confront love receiving a poor return; Paul frames that pain as a question about being loved less.
John 10:32Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?”Both passages describe good met with hostility: love receives adversaries, and Jesus’ good works are met with threatened stoning.
Where this verse fits

Broken friendship. injustice and anger. family conflict.

What the Bible says about anger →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Pray Psalm 109:4 aloud about one strained relationship

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Encouragement

The speaker remains in prayer while enemies repay love with hostility. The harsh plea that follows shows that turning toward God can begin amid unresolved pain.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 109:4. 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).