Psalms 109:15

Authorized King James Version

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Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

Original Language Analysis

יִהְי֣וּ H1961
יִהְי֣וּ
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 7
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
נֶֽגֶד H5048
נֶֽגֶד
Strong's: H5048
Word #: 2 of 7
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
יְהוָ֣ה Let them be before the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה Let them be before the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
תָּמִ֑יד continually H8548
תָּמִ֑יד continually
Strong's: H8548
Word #: 4 of 7
properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as adjective) constant (or adverbially, constantly); elliptically the re
וְיַכְרֵ֖ת that he may cut off H3772
וְיַכְרֵ֖ת that he may cut off
Strong's: H3772
Word #: 5 of 7
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ of them from the earth H776
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ of them from the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 6 of 7
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
זִכְרָֽם׃ the memory H2143
זִכְרָֽם׃ the memory
Strong's: H2143
Word #: 7 of 7
a memento, abstractly recollection (rarely if ever); by implication, commemoration

Analysis & Commentary

Let them be before the LORD continually (יִהְיוּ נֶגֶד־יְהוָה תָּמִיד, yihyu neged-YHWH tamid)—the sins remain נֶגֶד (neged, "before, in front of") God perpetually (תָּמִיד, tamid, "continually, always"). This contrasts sharply with Psalm 103:12: "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." That he may cut off the memory of them from the earth (וְיַכְרֵת מֵאֶרֶץ זִכְרָם, veyachret me'erets zichram)—the purpose clause: sins kept before God so their זֵכֶר (zecher, "memory, remembrance") may be כָּרַת (karat, "cut off") from earth.

David prays for the opposite of what God promises the righteous. Proverbs 10:7 says "the memory of the just is blessed," but the wicked become a curse. Isaiah 65:15 pronounces similar judgment: "Ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen." The theological point: sins confessed and forsaken are removed from God's memory (Heb 8:12); sins cherished and unrepented remain perpetually before His tribunal, ensuring the sinner's name perishes.

Historical Context

Ancient cultures preserved names through monuments, genealogies, and oral tradition. To be "cut off from the earth" meant no memorial stone, no descendants reciting your lineage, no psalms or proverbs bearing your name—total historical erasure as judgment.

Questions for Reflection