Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
Psalm 109 contains David’s imprecations against a wicked adversary who has returned evil for good (vv.2-5). Yet in this verse the language rises beyond David’s immediate experience and is taken up by the apostles as directly fulfilled in the betrayal and judgment of Judas Iscariot. Peter cites this very verse and applies it to Judas, saying, “his bishoprick let another take” (Acts 1:20). Therefore, this verse is to be understood as prophetic and Messianic, revealing the judgment of Christ’s betrayer and the ordering of His kingdom after His ascension.
“Let his days be few.” This is a sentence of divine judgment upon the wicked man in view. His life was cut short, not by chance, but by God’s decree. In the fulfillment, Judas did not continue long after his betrayal, but perished under judgment. As Matthew recorded, he “went and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:5). Thus, the prayer was not David’s desire, but a prophecy of the just recompense that would come upon the traitor who lifted up his hand against the Lord’s Anointed (cf. Psalm 41:9).
This shows that wickedness against Christ is not overlooked. Though Judas was numbered among the disciples and outwardly appeared near to Christ, his heart was corrupt, and his end was swift. As Peter declared, he “by transgression fell” (Acts 1:25). Therefore this clause teaches the certainty and severity of divine judgment upon him who opposed the Son.
“And let another take his office.” The word “office” refers to oversight or charge, rendered by Peter as “bishoprick” (Acts 1:20). Judas held a place among the apostles, being chosen and entrusted with ministry. Yet because of his wickedness, that place was taken from him and given to another. This was fulfilled when Matthias was appointed to take part of this ministry and apostleship (Acts 1:26).
This shows that the work and kingdom of Christ proceed according to the purpose of God and cannot be hindered by the sins of men. Judas betrayed the Lord wickedly and by his own transgression, yet even that betrayal had been foretold in the Scriptures and fell within the determinate counsel of God. As our Lord said, “The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed!” (Matthew 26:24), and Peter declared that He was delivered “by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23). Judas fell, another was raised up to take his place, and the ministry continued without loss. Thus, Christ’s kingdom is ordered by God, who makes even the wrath of men to praise Him (Psalm 76:10).
This verse sets forth the righteous judgment of God upon the betrayer of Christ and the unshaken order of His kingdom, in which another is raised up to take the place of the fallen. Therefore, let men take heed not to betray the truth for gain or fear, but to continue faithful unto the end. As David says elsewhere, “I have seen the wicked in great power… yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not” (Psalm 37:35-36), and the apostle Paul exhorts, “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Let his days be few; and let another take his office.
Psalm 109 contains David’s imprecations against a wicked adversary who has returned evil for good (vv.2-5). Yet in this verse the language rises beyond David’s immediate experience and is taken up by the apostles as directly fulfilled in the betrayal and judgment of Judas Iscariot. Peter cites this very verse and applies it to Judas, saying, “his bishoprick let another take” (Acts 1:20). Therefore, this verse is to be understood as prophetic and Messianic, revealing the judgment of Christ’s betrayer and the ordering of His kingdom after His ascension.
“Let his days be few.” This is a sentence of divine judgment upon the wicked man in view. His life was cut short, not by chance, but by God’s decree. In the fulfillment, Judas did not continue long after his betrayal, but perished under judgment. As Matthew recorded, he “went and hanged himself” (Matthew 27:5). Thus, the prayer was not David’s desire, but a prophecy of the just recompense that would come upon the traitor who lifted up his hand against the Lord’s Anointed (cf. Psalm 41:9).
This shows that wickedness against Christ is not overlooked. Though Judas was numbered among the disciples and outwardly appeared near to Christ, his heart was corrupt, and his end was swift. As Peter declared, he “by transgression fell” (Acts 1:25). Therefore this clause teaches the certainty and severity of divine judgment upon him who opposed the Son.
“And let another take his office.” The word “office” refers to oversight or charge, rendered by Peter as “bishoprick” (Acts 1:20). Judas held a place among the apostles, being chosen and entrusted with ministry. Yet because of his wickedness, that place was taken from him and given to another. This was fulfilled when Matthias was appointed to take part of this ministry and apostleship (Acts 1:26).
This shows that the work and kingdom of Christ proceed according to the purpose of God and cannot be hindered by the sins of men. Judas betrayed the Lord wickedly and by his own transgression, yet even that betrayal had been foretold in the Scriptures and fell within the determinate counsel of God. As our Lord said, “The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed!” (Matthew 26:24), and Peter declared that He was delivered “by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23). Judas fell, another was raised up to take his place, and the ministry continued without loss. Thus, Christ’s kingdom is ordered by God, who makes even the wrath of men to praise Him (Psalm 76:10).
This verse sets forth the righteous judgment of God upon the betrayer of Christ and the unshaken order of His kingdom, in which another is raised up to take the place of the fallen. Therefore, let men take heed not to betray the truth for gain or fear, but to continue faithful unto the end. As David says elsewhere, “I have seen the wicked in great power… yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not” (Psalm 37:35-36), and the apostle Paul exhorts, “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).