The meaning of Psalm 109:8 — ‘Let his days be few’

Psalm 109:8 spikes in popularity whenever the United States inaugurates a new president. Citing this obscure Bible verse is an underhanded way for the new president’s opponents to “pray” for his untimely death. Its inclusion in the Bible seemingly lends the curse validity and mystical power — and limits its decoding to those who know how to look up Bible verses.

Soon after Barack Obama’s inauguration, memes and bumper stickers began appearing that said, “Pray for Obama: Psalm 109:8.”

Now, similar decals are being sold to curse Donald Trump.

But those who use the verse this way are just ignorant. As with many Bible quotes, taking this single verse out of context misrepresents its meaning.

What does Psalm 109:8 mean in context?

Here is the context of verse 8 within Psalm 109:

The petitioner (traditionally identified as King David) is complaining to God about wicked accusers spreading hatred against him. He has offered friendship, but these deceivers want him falsely convicted at a trial. They want him to die and someone else to take over his office. They want strangers to seize his possessions, and his children to wander in poverty. They want his name wiped out in one generation.

As a result of their smear campaign, the writer is suffering and near the end of his rope. His “knees are weak from lack of food.” So now he is begging God to counter his enemies’ curses — to give him blessings, and bring them shame and disgrace.

So anyone citing verse 8 — “May his life be cut short, someone else take over his office” — is merely echoing the curses of the wicked deceivers, the false accusers. In fact, the Hebrew word for “accuser” here is satan.

In distributing memes and car decals, they are playing the exact same role.

They are also advertising their stupidity.