They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that the attacks weren't just physical blows, but a relentless onslaught of "words of hatred." This emphasizes how deeply hurtful and damaging verbal assaults can be, surrounding the victim and making escape feel impossible, even when there's no legitimate reason for the animosity.
They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This psalm opens with the psalmist crying out to God, feeling surrounded by enemies whose words are filled with hatred and who fight against him unjustly. He laments that his genuine love and efforts to do good have been met with bitter opposition, leading him to turn to prayer as his only recourse.
Have you ever felt completely surrounded by negativity, like words are being hurled at you from every direction? This psalm captures that feeling with striking imagery.
The psalmist isn't just facing physical opposition; he's being attacked by 'words of hatred.' Think about how language can be used to wound, demean, and isolate. The commentary highlights this as a deliberate strategy, like the enemies in Jeremiah saying, 'Come and let us smite him with the tongue.' This isn't just casual gossip; it's a coordinated verbal assault designed to destroy. The psalmist feels completely encircled, with no escape from these verbal attacks. This reveals how deeply words can wound and how a barrage of hateful speech can feel like a physical fight.
Imagine being attacked, not for something you did, but simply for who you are. That's the sting the psalmist feels.
The phrase 'attack me without cause' cuts to the core of the psalmist's distress. The commentaries emphasize that this wasn't a reaction to any wrongdoing on his part. It was pure, unmotivated hostility. Think of King David's own experience with Saul, who relentlessly pursued him without any just reason. This highlights a profound injustice: being punished or targeted not for actions, but for simply existing or holding to one's convictions. This experience of unprovoked animosity is deeply painful and can feel like a betrayal of basic human decency. It forces us to confront the reality that sometimes, people's hatred isn't about us at all, but about their own internal issues.
Understand the original words
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sin'ah · Hebrew Noun
A strong, active, and persistent feeling of deep hostility, animosity, or malice toward another person. In the biblical context, it is condemned as the antithesis of the command to love one's neighbor.
satan · Hebrew Verb
The act of formally charging someone with wrongdoing; often refers to legal or moral denunciation. It can denote the activity of an adversary or the devil.
tephillah · Hebrew Noun
A spiritual discipline involving direct communication with God, including adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. It is the primary means by which believers align their hearts with God’s will.
This verse captures the deep pain of unjust persecution, a reality that resonated throughout David's life and likely echoed in the experiences of later Israelites facing oppression. The intensity of the 'words of hate' reflects a spiritual warfare where slander and malice are wielded as weapons against the faithful.
c. 1000 BC— this verse
David's Reign as King
The period of King David's rule, marked by both triumphs and intense personal struggles, including betrayal and persecution from enemies.
c. 970 BC
David's Later Years
As David aged, he faced internal strife and external threats, including accusations and opposition from those who sought to undermine his kingship.
Post-Exilic Period (c. 5th-4th Century BC)
Possible Redaction and Collection of Psalms
While traditionally attributed to David, many Psalms were collected and possibly redacted later, potentially reflecting ongoing struggles of Israel against enemies.
This verse directly parallels Psalm 109:3, highlighting the experience of being attacked and hated without any justifiable reason.
John 15:25Jesus quotes this verse (or a similar sentiment from the Psalms) when explaining to his disciples why the world hates them, emphasizing that their persecution is without cause, just as the Psalmist experienced.
Jeremiah 18:18This passage shows a similar experience where enemies plot against the prophet using malicious words and accusations, illustrating the 'words of hate' that surround the afflicted.
Matthew 27:41-43The taunts and accusations hurled at Jesus on the cross echo the experience of being surrounded by 'words of hate' and attacked without cause, particularly as described in this Psalm.
Luke 23:34Jesus' prayer for forgiveness for those crucifying him stands in stark contrast to the imprecations often found in this Psalm, yet it arises from the same context of wrongful suffering and unjustified hatred.
cambridgePsalms 109:3: "They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause."
3 . Yea, with words of hatred have they surrounded me, And fought against me without cause. Cp. Psalm 35:7 ; Psalm 35:19-20 ; Psalm 69:4 ; Proverbs 1:11 . “Come and let us smite him with the tongue” was the cry of Jeremiah’s opponents ( Jeremiah 18:18 ). “Denounce, yea, let us denounce him” ( Jeremiah 20:10 ).
pulpitPsalms 109:3: "They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause."
Verse 3. - They compassed me about also with words of hatred. The hatred of the wicked for the good is a plain fact of history, and quite indisputable. "Words of hatred" are less patent, since they are often restrained from prudential considerations. But sometimes free vent is given to them (see 2 Samuel 16:5-8). And fought against me without a cause (comp. Psalm 35:7, 19; Psalm 69:4; Psalm…
The verse highlights that the attacks weren't just physical blows, but a relentless onslaught of "words of hatred." This emphasizes how deeply hurtful and damaging verbal assaults can be, surrounding the victim and making escape feel impossible, even when there's no legitimate reason for the animosity.
This psalm opens with the psalmist crying out to God, feeling surrounded by enemies whose words are filled with hatred and who fight against him unjustly. He laments that his genuine love and efforts to do good have been met with bitter opposition, leading him to turn to prayer as his only recourse.
This psalm opens with the psalmist crying out to God, feeling surrounded by enemies whose words are filled with hatred and who fight against him unjustly. He laments that his genuine love and efforts to do good have been met with bitter opposition, leading him to turn to prayer as his only recourse.
"They encircle me with words of hate, and attack me without cause. In return for my love they accuse me, but I give myself to prayer." — The verse highlights that the attacks weren't just physical blows, but a relentless onslaught of "words of hatred." This emphasizes how deeply hurtful and damaging verbal assaults can be, surrounding…
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Last reviewed October 2026