Psalms 109:14 (KJV)

What does Psalms 109:14 mean?

Psalms 109:14 asks that the wrongdoings of a person's ancestors and the sins of his mother not be forgotten or erased by the LORD, but instead be remembered. The verse is part of a prayer calling for God not to overlook or forgive the past sins connected to the person being spoken about.

In Psalms 109, David is speaking, and he is praying to God about those who have treated him with hostility and injustice. This verse is one of several in which David calls down strong words of judgment, asking God to remember not just the individual's actions, but also the wrongdoing of his family line. The language reflects the seriousness of David's plea and the depth of his distress over the harm done to him.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 109:14

• "iniquity" (עָוֹן, 'avon): This word points to guilt or wrongdoing, often with the sense of a moral failure that carries consequences. Here, it refers to the misdeeds of the person's fathers.
• "remembered" (זָכַר, zakar): This verb means to call to mind or not to forget. David is asking God to actively keep these past wrongs in view, rather than letting them fade away.
• "sin" (חַטָּאָה, chatta'ah): This is a general word for sin or offense, here specifically tied to the person's mother, emphasizing the generational aspect of guilt.
• "out" (מָחָה, machah): This verb means to blot out or erase, often used for wiping away records. David asks that the sin not be wiped away, but rather remain before God.

Why Psalms 109:14 matters

• This verse shows the intensity of David's feelings toward those who have wronged him, highlighting how deeply personal and serious his plea is.
• The mention of both fathers and mother points to a desire for complete remembrance of wrongdoing, not just individual acts but family history as well.
• Understanding the strong language here helps clarify that Psalms 109 is a psalm of lament and imprecation, not a general instruction for how to treat others, but a record of David's honest and raw prayer in a time of distress.