Psalms 109:3
They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause.
Original Language Analysis
וְדִבְרֵ֣י
me about also with words
H1697
וְדִבְרֵ֣י
me about also with words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
1 of 5
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
סְבָב֑וּנִי
They compassed
H5437
סְבָב֑וּנִי
They compassed
Strong's:
H5437
Word #:
3 of 5
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
Cross References
Psalms 69:4They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.Psalms 35:7For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul.
Historical Context
The language of military encirclement ("compassed me about") was literal for David, who endured Saul's hunts and Absalom's coup. The "without a cause" motif appears throughout the Psalter (35:7, 19; 69:4; 109:3; 119:161), forming a theological category for undeserved suffering that finds ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's quotation of "hated without a cause" help you interpret suffering that has no rational explanation?
- What spiritual disciplines help you resist internalizing hatred directed at you for righteousness's sake?
- How does recognizing causeless hatred as Satanic (not merely human) change your prayer response?
Analysis & Commentary
They compassed me about also with words of hatred—The verb סָבַב (savav, "to surround") pictures military encirclement, but the weapons are דִּבְרֵי שִׂנְאָה (divrei sin'ah, "words of hatred"). David faces verbal siege warfare. And fought against me without a cause (יִלָּחֲמוּנִי חִנָּם, yilachamuni chinnam)—gratuitous warfare, echoing Psalm 35:7, 19 and 69:4.
The phrase "without a cause" (חִנָּם) is theologically crucial: unmerited hatred anticipates Christ's statement in John 15:25, where He quotes Psalm 35:19 and 69:4 about being "hated without a cause." David's experience becomes typological of the Messiah's rejection. Proverbs 26:2 teaches that causeless curses cannot land, but causeless hatred still wounds—the righteous sufferer feels the assault even as God nullifies its ultimate power.