Psalm 109:1-5 “For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. God of my praise, don’t remain silent, for they have opened the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit against me. They have spoken to me with a lying tongue. They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause. In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I am in prayer. They have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.”

In the midst of hatred and lies we find, “but I am in prayer.” Just in prayer to God? Just in prayer for vindication? Just in prayer for help? Or in prayer for those who are his adversaries? It’s implied that David has prayed for his adversaries blessing in the past, because he has directed good and love towards them. However, the tenor of those prayers is about to change, because they have returned evil and hatred for his good.

Matthew 5:44-48 “But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

For additional worship: God of my Mercy and my Praise (Issac Watts)

God of my mercy and my praise,
Thy glory is my song;
tho’ sinners speak against Thy grace
with a blaspheming tongue.

O GOD, my Lord, for Thy Name’s sake
in mercy deal with me;
because Thy kindness is so great,
from trouble set me free.

O Thou who art my LORD and God,
Thy gracious help extend,
and for Thy lovingkindness’ sake
O save me and defend.

My voice shall greatly bless the LORD
and sing His worthy praise,
and I amid the multitude
my thankful song will raise.

The LORD be praised, for ever near
the helpless poor He stands,
protecting them with wondrous pow’r
from their oppressors’ hands.