Psalms 109:8

⁷When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayer be regarded as sin. ⁸May his days be few; may another take his position. ⁹May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.

Summary

This verse is a cry for justice and judgment against the wicked. It is a plea for God to intervene and bring about consequences for the evil actions of the individual being referenced. The psalmist is asking for the wicked person's days to be few and for someone else to take over their position of authority. It reflects the psalmist's trust in God's righteousness and ultimate justice, believing that God will execute judgment according to His wisdom and righteousness.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

The opposite blessing is long life (Psa 91:16; Pro 3:2). The last clause is quoted as to Judas by Peter (Act 1:20). office--literally, "charge," Septuagint, and Peter, "oversight" [Pe1 5:2].

John Gill Bible Commentary

Let his days be few,.... The days of men in common are but few at most: length of days, either beyond or according to the usual term of life, is reckoned a blessing; and to be cut off in the midst of a man's days a curse; when this is by the immediate hand of God, as a visible token of his displeasure; or by the hand of the civil magistrate, for some capital offence; or by a man's own hands, which was the case of Judas; whose days were but few, in comparison of the other apostles, who outlived him many years; especially the Apostle John, who lived sixty years after, at least. The Syriac version renders it, "let their days be few"; and so it reads the whole context in the plural number, both in the verses preceding and following; and the whole may be interpreted of the Jews, as it is by Theodoret, as well as of Judas; since they were concerned in the same sin, and are equally charged as the betrayers and murderers of Christ, Act 7:52, and their days as a nation and church after the death of Christ were very few; within forty years, or thereabout, their city and temple were destroyed. And let another take his office; or bishopric, as the Septuagint version and the Apostle Peter call it; who cites this passage, and applies it to Judas, in Act 1:20. His office was the office of an apostle, an high and honourable one, the chief office in the church: it was a charge, as the word signifies; a charge of souls, an oversight of the flock; which is to be taken not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre's sake, but of a ready mind. Judas took it for filthy lucre's sake, and it was taken away from him, and given to another; to Matthias, on whom the lot fell, and who was numbered with the apostles in his room, Act 1:21. This is true also of the priests, Scribes, and Pharisees, who were divested of their offices in a very little time; three shepherds were cut off in one month, Zac 11:8. There being a change of the priesthood, law, and ordinances, there was a change of offices and officers; new ordinances were appointed by Christ, and new officers created, on whom gifts were bestowed suitable to their work.

Psalms 109:8

The Song of the Slandered

⁷When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayer be regarded as sin. ⁸May his days be few; may another take his position. ⁹May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

May his days be few; may another take his position.

American Standard Version (1901)

Let his days be few; And let another take his office.

Bible in Basic English

Let his life be short; let another take his position of authority.

Free Bible Version

May his life be short; let someone else take over his position.

Geneva Bible 1599

Let his daies be fewe, and let another take his charge.

King James (Authorized) Version

Let his days be few; and let another take his office.

One Unity Resource Bible

Let his days be few. Let another take his office.

Translation for Translators

Then, cause that he will soon die and that someone else will have his job/work (OR, possessions).

Unlocked Literal Bible

May his days be few; may another take his office.

Noah Webster Bible

Let his days be few; and let another take his office.

World English Bible

Let his days be few. Let another take his office.

Young's Literal Translation

His days are few, his oversight another taketh,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

The opposite blessing is long life (Psa 91:16; Pro 3:2). The last clause is quoted as to Judas by Peter (Act 1:20). office--literally, "charge," Septuagint, and Peter, "oversight" [Pe1 5:2].

John Gill Bible Commentary

Psalms 109:8

Verse

Context

The Song of the Slandered

Summary

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Psalms 109:8

The Song of the Slandered

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes