Psalms 109:12
Psalms 109:12 in Multiple Translations
May there be no one to extend kindness to him, and no one to favor his fatherless children.
Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.
Let there be none to extend kindness unto him; Neither let there be any to have pity on his fatherless children.
Let no man have pity on him, or give help to his children when he is dead.
May no one be kind to him; may no one take pity on his fatherless children.
Let there be none to extend mercie vnto him: neither let there be any to shewe mercie vpon his fatherlesse children.
He hath none to extend kindness, Nor is there one showing favour to his orphans.
Let there be no one to extend kindness to him, neither let there be anyone to have pity on his fatherless children.
Let there be none to extend mercy to him: neither let there be any to favor his fatherless children.
Cause that while he is still living no one will be kind to him, and after he dies, cause that no one will pity his children.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 109:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 109:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אַל
יְהִי
ל֭/וֹ
מֹשֵׁ֣ךְ
חָ֑סֶד
וְֽ/אַל
יְהִ֥י
ח֝וֹנֵ֗ן
לִ/יתוֹמָֽי/ו
אַל
ʼal
H408
not
Part
יְהִי
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Juss-3ms
ל֭/וֹ
Prep | Suff
מֹשֵׁ֣ךְ
mâshak
H4900
to draw
V-Qal
חָ֑סֶד
chêçêd
H2617
kindness
N-ms
וְֽ/אַל
ʼal
H408
not
Conj | Part
יְהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Juss-3ms
ח֝וֹנֵ֗ן
chânan
H2603
be gracious
V-Qal
לִ/יתוֹמָֽי/ו
yâthôwm
H3490
orphan
Prep | N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 109:12
אַל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
יְהִי
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Juss-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
ל֭/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
מֹשֵׁ֣ךְ
mâshak
H4900
"to draw"
V-Qal
To draw can mean many things in the Bible, such as to pull or lead something, to sow seeds, or to make music. It is used in various contexts, including war, farming, and worship. The word is used in different forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: 1) to draw, drag, seize 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to draw (and lift out), drag along, lead along, drag or lead off, draw down 1a2) to draw (the bow) 1a3) to proceed, march 1a4) to draw out or give (a sound) 1a5) to draw out, prolong, continue 1a6) to trail (seed in sowing) 1a7) to cheer, draw, attract, gratify 1b) (Niphal) to be drawn out 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be drawn out, be postponed, be deferred 1c2) to be tall
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: draw (along, out), continue, defer, extend, forbear, [idiom] give, handle, make (pro-, sound) long, [idiom] sow, scatter, stretch out. See also: Genesis 37:28; Psalms 85:6; Psalms 10:9.
חָ֑סֶד
chêçêd
H2617
"kindness"
N-ms
This word refers to kindness, mercy, or pity, often used to describe God's loving actions towards humanity. It is translated as 'favour', 'kindness', or 'mercy' in the KJV. It emphasizes God's loving character.
Definition: goodness, kindness, faithfulness
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: favour, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing. See also: Genesis 19:19; Psalms 51:3; Psalms 5:8.
וְֽ/אַל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Conj | Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
יְהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Juss-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
ח֝וֹנֵ֗ן
chânan
H2603
"be gracious"
V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to show kindness or favor, often by bending or stooping to help someone in need, as seen in the actions of God towards his people.
Definition: 1) to be gracious, show favour, pity 1a) (Qal) to show favour, be gracious 1b) (Niphal) to be pitied 1c) (Piel) to make gracious, make favourable, be gracious 1d) (Poel) to direct favour to, have mercy on 1e) (Hophal) to be shown favour, be shown consideration 1f) (Hithpael) to seek favour, implore favour
Usage: Occurs in 73 OT verses. KJV: beseech, [idiom] fair, (be, find, shew) favour(-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious(-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 33:5; Psalms 37:21; Psalms 4:2.
לִ/יתוֹמָֽי/ו
yâthôwm
H3490
"orphan"
Prep | N-mp | Suff
This Hebrew word refers to an orphan or a child without a father, like in Exodus where God commands the Israelites to care for the fatherless.
Definition: an orphan, fatherless
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: fatherless (child), orphan. See also: Exodus 22:21; Psalms 10:18; Psalms 10:14.
Study Notes — Psalms 109:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 109:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 109:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 109:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 109:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 109:12
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 109:12
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 109:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 109:12
- Sermons on Psalms 109:12
Context — The Song of the Slandered
10May his children wander as beggars, seeking sustenance far from their ruined homes.
11May the creditor seize all he owns, and strangers plunder the fruits of his labor.
12May there be no one to extend kindness to him, and no one to favor his fatherless children.
13May his descendants be cut off; may their name be blotted out from the next generation. 14May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD, and the sin of his mother never be blotted out.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 27:25 | All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” |
| 2 | Psalms 137:8–9 | O Daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction, blessed is he who repays you as you have done to us. Blessed is he who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks. |
| 3 | James 2:13 | For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. |
| 4 | Luke 6:38 | Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” |
| 5 | Isaiah 27:11 | When its limbs are dry, they are broken off. Women come and use them for kindling; for this is a people without understanding. Therefore their Maker has no compassion on them, and their Creator shows them no favor. |
| 6 | Job 5:4 | His sons are far from safety, crushed in court without a defender. |
| 7 | Isaiah 9:17 | Therefore the Lord takes no pleasure in their young men; He has no compassion on their fatherless and widows. For every one of them is godless and wicked, and every mouth speaks folly. Despite all this, His anger is not turned away; His hand is still upraised. |
| 8 | Luke 11:50–51 | As a result, this generation will be charged with the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, all of it will be charged to this generation. |
| 9 | Isaiah 13:18 | Their bows will dash young men to pieces; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; they will not look with pity on the children. |
Psalms 109:12 Summary
Psalms 109:12 is a prayer that asks God to not let anyone show kindness to someone who has been wicked, and also that no one would help their children who are now without parents. This might seem harsh, but it's actually a call for God's justice to be served, as we see in other parts of the Bible like Proverbs 11:21. The Psalmist is trusting that God will take care of the situation and make things right, and this is a reminder to us to trust in God's justice and mercy, as seen in Matthew 5:7. We can learn from this verse to trust in God's goodness and justice, even when things seem unfair, and to balance our desire for justice with our need to show kindness and mercy to others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Psalmist seem to be calling for judgment on someone without showing any mercy?
The Psalmist is not being vindictive, but rather, he is calling for God's justice to be served, as seen in Psalms 109:12, where he asks that there be no one to extend kindness to the wicked person, and this is in line with the principle that God will judge the wicked, as stated in Proverbs 11:21 and Isaiah 13:11.
Is the Psalmist being too harsh when he asks that no one favor the fatherless children of the wicked person?
The Psalmist is not asking for the children to be punished for their father's sins, but rather, he is highlighting the consequences of the father's actions, as seen in Exodus 34:7, where it is written that God visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation.
How can we balance the desire for justice with the need to show mercy and kindness to others?
As Christians, we are called to balance justice and mercy, as seen in Micah 6:8, where it is written that we are to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, and in Matthew 5:7, where it is written that the merciful will be shown mercy.
What is the main theme of Psalms 109:12?
The main theme of Psalms 109:12 is the call for God's justice to be served on the wicked, and this is in line with the overall theme of the Psalms, which often express a desire for God to vindicate the righteous and punish the wicked, as seen in Psalms 37:28 and Psalms 145:20.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can show kindness to those who are suffering, even if they are not necessarily 'deserving' of it, and how can I balance this with the need for justice?
- How can I trust in God's justice, even when it seems like the wicked are prospering, and what does Psalms 109:12 teach me about God's character?
- What are some practical ways that I can 'extend kindness' to those around me, and how can I make sure that I am not showing favoritism to certain individuals or groups?
- How can I make sure that I am not being 'too harsh' in my judgment of others, and how can I balance my desire for justice with my need to show mercy and kindness?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 109:12
Let there be none to extend mercy unto him,.... No pity is ever expressed at hearing or reading the sad case of Judas; and though the Jews were pitied of those that carried them captive to Babylon,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 109:12
Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour. -God's visitation on the wicked man's property (Psalms 109:11-12); on his name and memorial (Psalms 109:13-15).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 109:12
Let him and his be unpitied and hated as the public enemies of mankind.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 109:12
Psalms 109:12 Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.Ver. 12. Let there be none to extend mercy to him] Let God in his justice set off all hearts from him that had been so unreasonably merciless. Thus no man opened his mouth to intercede for Haman; Judas was shaken off by the priests, and bid see to himself, &c. Neither let there be any to favour his fatherless] Pupillis pusillis. Let there be none to plead their pupil’ s cause against the griping extortioner, or the stranger that violently invadeth their right.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 109:12
12. Let him have none to continue lovingkindness to him as represented in his children; nor any one to have pity on his orphans.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 109:12
Let there be none to extend mercy unto him - Let him find compassion and sympathy in no one. When he suffers, let him be left to bear it alone. Let there be none found to shed a tear of compassion over him, or to relieve him.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 109:12
12. Let there be none to extend mercy—There shall be none. The word “extend” takes the sense of lengthened time, as Psalms 36:10, “O continue,” etc. Psalms 85:5, “Wilt thou draw out,” etc. Proverbs 13:12, “Hope deferred,” etc.
Sermons on Psalms 109:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Luke) 48 - Palm Sunday-Luke19 by Ed Miller | In this sermon, the speaker discusses a photographer who won a prestigious award for his black and white photos but decided to use color film to capture the misery of a particular |
|
Jesus' Answer by Basilea Schlink | In this sermon by Basilea Schlenk titled "Jesus' Answer," the speaker reflects on the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. She highlights how Jesus' sacrifice for the world w |
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Homily 86 on Matthew by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches on the trial of Jesus before Pilate, highlighting the false accusations brought forward by the chief priests and elders, the governor's attempts to release |
|
Crying Wolf by Art Katz | Art Katz addresses the complex relationship between Judaism and Christianity, particularly in light of Mel Gibson's film 'The Passion.' He emphasizes the need for honest dialogue a |
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Forgiveness by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the central theme of the Bible, which is the cross of Jesus Christ. He specifically highlights Isaiah 53 as a passage that reveals the signi |
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Beatitudes - Part 9 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of a man who had a difficult life. He was sent by his father to his brothers, but they betrayed him and sold him into slavery. He e |
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We Will All Stand Before the Judgment of God by John Piper | In this sermon, John Piper emphasizes the importance of having a genuine faith in Jesus Christ. He explains that it is not the quantity of good or evil deeds that saves a person, b |