Psalm 109

Abstract Psalm 109 is a text which is seldom read in the Christian tradition, most probably because it contains the Bible’s longest imprecation. Although in recent years many have interpreted its imprecation as a quotation of the enemy’s words against the psalmist, this does not really resolve the problem, since in v. 20 the psalmist asks for this to be applied against any adversaries. A better approach is to follow a three-level reading which attends to the psalm’s life setting, its intertextual associations with Deuteronomy, and its placement in the Psalter. This approach contextualises the imprecation as something surrendered to God, while also showing that God’s victory over such foes will ultimately be achieved. Understood this way, Psalm 109 can serve as a circuit breaker to patterns of violence.