Psalms, 109
23. I am passing away like a fading shadow, they have shaken me off like a locust.
23. I am passing away like a fading shadow, they have shaken me off like a locust.
Psalm 109 is a prayer of the psalmist asking God to defend and avenge him from his enemies who have slandered him and pursuing unjustly. The verses related to the themes of the chapter are:
Proverbs 3:30: "Don't strive with someone for no reason if he didn't hurt you." The psalmist calls for justice and revenge against his enemies, but this verse of proverbs reminds us that we should avoid strife for no reason.
Matthew 5:44: "But I say unto you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Jesus teaches us to love and pray for our enemies, even when they persecute and slander us unfairly.
Romans 12:19: "You shall not avenge yourselves, beloved, but give the wrath of God, for it is written, My is revenge; I will reward, say the Lord." The psalmist calls for revenge against his enemies, but here Paul urges us to leave revenge in the hands of God.
2 Timothy 4:14: "Alejandro, the blacksmith, caused me many evils; the Lord pay you according to his works." Paul asks God to judge and punish those who have done him evil, which relates to the psalmist's desire to see his judged and punished enemies.
1 Peter 2:23: "When I was injured, I did not dismantle, and when it suffered, it did not threaten, but it surrendered to the one who judges precisely." Jesus is our example of patience and humility in the face of unfair persecution, and Peter urges us to follow his example.
“Esforce-se, mesmo se for um pouco, mas sempre…” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina