Psalm 109

Scroll of the Psalms

Psalm 109 (Greek numbering, Psalm 108) is a psalm noted for containing some of the most frighteningly severe curses in the Bible, such as:

Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.

and

Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

It has traditionally been called the "Judas psalm."

Psalm 109 was used by Thomas Hardy in his novel The Mayor of Casterbridge. Michael Henchard, the protagonist of the novel, is drinking with the choir after practice when he sees his rival, Donald Farfrae, whom he hates. He later persuades the choir to sing Psalm 109. The choir master remarks of this psalm that, "Twasn’t made for singing. We chose it once when the gypsy stole the parson’s mare, thinking to please him, but parson were quite upset. Whatever Servant David were thinking about when he made a Psalm that nobody can sing without disgracing himself, I can’t fathom."

Verse 8

The Apostle Peter quoted verse 8 of Psalm 109 ("Let another take his office") before the apostles elected the replacement for Judas Iscariot in Acts 1:16-26.

In the United States, 109:8 "May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership" has been used by a number of fundamentalist preachers who use the imprecatory psalm as an imprecatory prayer. Pastor Greg Dixon of the Indianapolis Baptist Temple had invoked it, which had been condemned by others.

In 2009, the media has reported more widely on its usage in reference to President Barack Obama, by those such as Pastor Wiley Drake.

In January 2010, a Florida Sheriff's officer was suspended from his force for circling the passage in a bible and scrawling "The Obama Prayer" beside it.

In January 2012, Kansas Speaker of the House Michael O'Neal sent an email quoting Verse 8 to his Republican colleagues that stated:

At last — I can honestly voice a Biblical prayer for our president! Look it up — it is word for word! Let us all bow our heads and pray. Brothers and Sisters, can I get an AMEN? AMEN!!!!!!

In Judaism

Psalm 109 is recited on the day of Parshat Zachor.