Psalms 109:7
When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.
Original Language Analysis
בְּ֭הִשָּׁ֣פְטוֹ
When he shall be judged
H8199
בְּ֭הִשָּׁ֣פְטוֹ
When he shall be judged
Strong's:
H8199
Word #:
1 of 6
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
יֵצֵ֣א
let him be
H3318
יֵצֵ֣א
let him be
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
2 of 6
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
רָשָׁ֑ע
condemned
H7563
רָשָׁ֑ע
condemned
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
3 of 6
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
וּ֝תְפִלָּת֗וֹ
and let his prayer
H8605
וּ֝תְפִלָּת֗וֹ
and let his prayer
Strong's:
H8605
Word #:
4 of 6
intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
Cross References
Proverbs 28:9He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.Proverbs 15:8The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.Proverbs 21:27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?Isaiah 1:15And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.Isaiah 66:3He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.Romans 3:19Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.Matthew 23:13But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.Galatians 3:10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Historical Context
David likely faced enemies who maintained outward religious observance while plotting murder—like Saul consulting Samuel's ghost while hunting David (1 Sam 28), or Absalom's vow at Hebron that masked rebellion (2 Sam 15:7-12). Hypocritical worship compounded their guilt.
Questions for Reflection
- What makes prayer itself become sin—what heart conditions turn sacred acts into abominations?
- How does Proverbs 28:9 challenge religious activity divorced from obedience and integrity?
- In what ways might our own prayers compound guilt rather than obtain mercy if offered hypocritically?
Analysis & Commentary
When he shall be judged, let him be condemned (בְּהִשָּׁפְטוֹ יֵצֵא רָשָׁע, behishafto yetse rasha)—literally "when he is judged, let him go out wicked/guilty." The verb יָצָא (yatsa, "go out") refers to leaving the courtroom with a guilty verdict. And let his prayer become sin (וּתְפִלָּתוֹ תִּהְיֶה לְחַטָּאָה, utefilato tihyeh lechata'ah)—a devastating curse. Prayer normally brings mercy; here it compounds guilt.
Proverbs 28:9 explains: "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." When the wicked pray while clinging to wickedness, their prayers insult God. Isaiah 1:15 and 59:2 show God refusing to hear prayers from blood-stained hands and unrepentant hearts. This isn't David wishing evil on random enemies—it's covenant theology: those who betray covenant loyalty forfeit covenant privileges. Their prayers, offered in hypocrisy, become evidence against them at judgment.