Be not silent, O God of my praise! For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This isn't just a plea for God to speak; it's a reminder that God is the very source and reason for the psalmist's praise. By calling God "the God of my praise," the psalmist is saying, "You are the One who gives me reasons to praise You, so don't be silent now, or You'll rob me of my worship!"
Be not silent, O God of my praise! For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm bursts forth from a place of intense persecution and betrayal, where David feels utterly abandoned and falsely accused by his enemies. He appeals to God, not just as his protector, but as the very source and reason for his praise, pleading with Him not to remain silent in the face of such injustice. The following verses will delve into the specific, bitter accusations and curses leveled against David by his tormentors, highlighting their cruel ingratitude.
The verse opens with a powerful declaration: 'O God of my praise!' What does it mean to call God this, especially in a moment of deep distress?
This phrase isn't just a poetic title; it's a reminder of a covenant relationship.
A God Who Earns Our Praise
David calls God 'the God of my praise' because God has been the source of his praise. God is the one who has delivered him in the past, given him reasons to rejoice, and deserved his worship. This title is a claim on God's character and past faithfulness. It’s like saying, 'You are the God who causes me to praise you. You are worthy of it!'
A Plea Rooted in Relationship
By calling God 'the God of my praise,' David is not just asking for help. He's reminding God of their history together. He's appealing to the very nature of God as the object of his worship. This isn't a stranger asking a favor; it's a worshipper, whose identity is tied to praising God, crying out when that very source of praise seems silent.
Why is 'holding not thy peace' such a desperate cry? What does God's silence feel like to the one who suffers?
In the Bible, God's silence isn't neutral; it can feel like abandonment, especially to those in crisis.
When God Seems Absent
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When David cries, 'Be not silent,' he's expressing the profound agony of feeling unheard and unseen. His enemies are loud, their accusations are fierce, but God's response is quiet. This silence can be interpreted by the suffering individual as indifference or even withdrawal of favor.
A Prayer for Vindication
'Hold not thy peace' is a plea for God to act. It's a prayer for God to break His silence by speaking judgment against the enemies and vindication for the psalmist. The silence is unbearable because it leaves the persecuted soul exposed and vulnerable, without the divine defense they desperately need and have come to expect.
Understand the original words
Elohim · Hebrew Noun
The supreme Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who enters into a covenant relationship with His people and hears their cries for justice and deliverance.
rasha · Hebrew Adjective
A state of moral depravity, disobedience, or hostility against God and His standard of righteousness. It often denotes a person or action that is estranged from God's character and covenant.
mirmah · Hebrew Noun
A fraudulent or guileful action/speech intended to mislead, manipulate, or harm others, standing in direct opposition to God’s attribute of truth.
This psalm was likely written by David during a time of intense persecution, possibly from enemies like Saul or even Absalom. The plea 'Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise!' reflects a desperate cry to the God who is the source of his worship, asking Him not to remain silent in the face of overwhelming adversity and injustice.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
David's Reign as King
David ruled as king over Israel, a time marked by both great victories and internal strife, including betrayals and rebellions.
c. 970 BC
Death of David
David's death marked the end of his long and complex reign, leaving behind a legacy of kingship and a rich collection of psalms.
c. 586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple led to the exile of many Judeans to Babylon, a period of profound national crisis and reflection.
This verse directly echoes the sentiment of Psalm 109:1, pleading with God not to remain silent but to act on the psalmist's behalf against his enemies.
Psalms 50:3This passage highlights God's active presence and justice, contrasting with the silence that the psalmist in 109:1 fears and prays against.
Jeremiah 17:14Here, the prophet laments his suffering and appeals to God, calling God 'the hope of Israel' and 'its healer,' directly linking praise and salvation, similar to how David addresses God in 109:1 as 'the God of my praise.'
Acts 1:20This New Testament passage quotes Psalm 109:8 concerning Judas, showing how the imprecations in Psalm 109 were understood by early Christians as prophetic of Christ's enemies and betrayers.
Deuteronomy 10:21This foundational text speaks of God being 'your praise' and 'your God,' underscoring the deep connection between God and the praise He receives and inspires, which resonates with David's address in Psalm 109:1.
clarkePsalms 109:1: "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;"
Hold not thy peace - Be not silent; arise and defend my cause.
bensonPsalms 109:1: "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. Hold not thy peace, O God of my praise;"
Psalm 109:1 . Hold not thy peace — Do not neglect me, but take notice of my extreme danger and misery, and let my sentence come forth from thy presence, Psalm 17:2 . Delay not to give judgment upon the appeal made to thee. O God of my praise — The author and matter of all my praises: in whom I glory, and not in any wisdom or strength of my own: who hast given me continual occasion to praise thee; wh…
This isn't just a plea for God to speak; it's a reminder that God is the very source and reason for the psalmist's praise. By calling God "the God of my praise," the psalmist is saying, "You are the One who gives me reasons to praise You, so don't be silent now, or You'll rob me of my worship!"
This psalm bursts forth from a place of intense persecution and betrayal, where David feels utterly abandoned and falsely accused by his enemies. He appeals to God, not just as his protector, but as the very source and reason for his praise, pleading with Him not to remain silent in the face of such injustice. The following verses will delve into the specific, bitter accusations and curses leveled against David by his tormentors, highlighting their cruel ingratitude.
This psalm bursts forth from a place of intense persecution and betrayal, where David feels utterly abandoned and falsely accused by his enemies. He appeals to God, not just as his protector, but as the very source and reason for his praise, pleading with Him not to remain silent in the face of such injustice. The following verses will delve into the specific, bitter accusations and curses leveled against David by his tormentors, highlighting their cruel ingratitude.
"Be not silent, O God of my praise! For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me, speaking against me with lying tongues." — This isn't just a plea for God to speak; it's a reminder that God is the very source and reason for the psalmist's praise. By calling God "the God of my praise," the psalmist is saying, "You are the…
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Last reviewed October 2026