With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord; in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him. (Ps. 109:30)
Expanded Passage: Psalm 109:1-2, 26-31
The abundant praising of God at the start and end of what has been called the strongest imprecatory prayer—a passage pronouncing a curse on the enemies of God’s people—found in the Bible might seem strange, even contradictory in nature. Others, however, see a method in it, believing they not only frame the chapter but ultimately redirect its tone and purpose.
How so? Through them, we realize that God acts not because of David’s honor or even guiltlessness but for God’s own name’s sake. And David not just privately, but publicly praised God, directing the attention away from the injustice of his wrongly condemned state and his earthly enemy to the justice of his righteous rescuer.
No earthly ill will is ever a match for divine goodwill and deliverance. As Matthew Henry said, “Men’s curses are impotent; God’s blessings are omnipotent.”
People may talk ill of us, sometimes with and oftentimes without due cause. Regardless, as no false testimony against us will ultimately prevail (Rom. 8:33) and as nothing can separate us from the love of God (Rom. 8:39), we should never use our words to retaliate nor allow our minds and hearts to wallow in self-pity.
When God saves us from whatever besets us—an illness, a sin, or slander—not only we, but all of those around us, see his glory and goodness more clearly. And that’s precisely why his name should be magnified both unreservedly and unendingly.
Sing joyfully and jubilantly—and continuously—to the tune of deliverance.
Laurie Dashnau is professor of English and writing, and director of the writing center at Houghton University (NY). She regularly teaches Narrative and Personal Essay, and Writing about Spiritual Experience.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
