Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

PSALMS 109:15KJV
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Psalms 109:15 (KJV)

What does Psalms 109:15 mean?

Psalms 109:15 asks that the wrongdoing of certain people remain in God’s sight continually, so that God would erase their memory from the earth. The verse expresses a plea for lasting judgment, not just temporary punishment.

In this psalm, David is speaking to God about his enemies, asking for God’s justice against those who have acted with cruelty and malice. The verse comes in the middle of a series of strong requests for God to remember the sins of these people and not let them be forgotten or overlooked. The language is intense, reflecting the deep hurt and betrayal David feels.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 109:15

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that the plea is directed to the covenant God of Israel, not just any deity.
  • continually (תָּמִיד, tamid): This word means “always” or “without interruption.” The request is for God to keep these sins in constant view, not letting them fade with time.
  • off (כָּרַת, karat): This word means “to cut off” or “to remove.” The idea is not just forgetting, but an active erasure or removal from memory.
  • memory (זֵכֶר, zeker): This refers to remembrance or legacy. The plea is for even the remembrance of these people to be wiped away.
  • earth (אֶרֶץ, erets): This means “land” or “earth,” showing that the request is for their memory to be erased from among the living, not just from a specific place.

Why Psalms 109:15 matters

  • Psalms 109:15 shows the depth of David’s pain and the seriousness with which he asks God for justice, going beyond punishment to the complete removal of his enemies’ legacy.
  • The verse highlights the idea that actions and reputations can have lasting consequences, and that in ancient Israel, being forgotten was seen as a severe judgment.
  • Understanding the original words helps clarify that this is not just about personal revenge, but about a plea for God’s ongoing attention and decisive action regarding injustice.

Where else these words appear

“memory” Hebrew H2143 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 3:15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.
  • Psalms 9:6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.
  • Psalms 135:13 Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.

“continually” Hebrew H8548 · used in 103 verses

  • Exodus 25:30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway.
  • Deuteronomy 11:12 A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
  • Psalms 74:23 Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.