Psalms 109:27
That they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, LORD, hast done it.
Original Language Analysis
וְֽ֭יֵדְעוּ
That they may know
H3045
וְֽ֭יֵדְעוּ
That they may know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
1 of 7
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָ֣דְךָ
that this is thy hand
H3027
יָ֣דְךָ
that this is thy hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
3 of 7
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Cross References
Job 37:7He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.Exodus 8:19Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.Acts 4:16Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.Psalms 126:2Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
Historical Context
David faced multiple conspiracies (Saul's pursuit, Absalom's rebellion, court intrigues). Psalm 109's intensity suggests a particularly vicious false accusation. Early Christians applied imprecatory psalms to Christ's enemies (Acts 1:20 quotes Psalm 109:8), recognizing that opposition to God's anointed demands divine judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- When have you prayed for vindication not for personal satisfaction but so God's name would be glorified?
- How do you distinguish between godly desire for justice and sinful desire for revenge?
- What does it mean to want deliverance to be clearly God's work rather than human achievement?
Analysis & Commentary
That they may know that this is thy hand (וְיֵדְעוּ כִּי־יָדְךָ זֹּאת, ve-yed'u ki-yadkha zot)—Yada means know, recognize; yad means hand, often metaphorically for power, action. That thou, LORD, hast done it (אַתָּה יְהוָה עֲשִׂיתָהּ, attah YHWH asitah)—Asah means make, do, accomplish.
Psalm 109 is an imprecatory psalm where David calls down judgment on enemies who have falsely accused him. Verses 21-26 plead for deliverance; verse 27 requests that vindication be so clear that observers recognize God's hand at work. This isn't about personal revenge but divine glory—that YHWH be known as the one who rescues his servants. Joseph's elevation (Genesis 50:20) and Jesus's resurrection demonstrate this pattern.