I heard about this last night on Rachel Maddow's show. Evidently, there's a wave of bumper sticker, t-shirts, hats, etc. going around requesting that folks "Pray for Obama: Psalm 109:8". But before you go out and try to get one of these shirts, it's worth checking out what Psalm 109:8 says. The psalm reads, "Let his days be few; and let another take his office."
While some may say that this is just a humorous hope that Obama gets voted on of office in four years, the very next verse provides some insight into the true meaning of the prayer request. Psalm 109:9 reads, "Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow."
Seriously?!
This is not cute, and it is not funny. A recent book has already documented what most of us already know--that death threats agains President Obama are dramatically higher (about 5 times higher) than against Bush or any other President. The book says he receives 30 death threats per day.
Truth be told, these threats are obviously not just about President Obama. It's not just about his individual personality or his policies. It's a reminder of what the Supreme Court told us in the Dred Scott case more than 160 years ago: that a Black man has no rights that a White man is bound to respect. Evidently, this even applies to a Black President.
So in response to this prayer request, i'm going to come up with a few bible verses of my own to send to the 109:8 folks--like the promises to David that his enemies would be made to kneel before him.
Of course, i could also send them some New Testament verses talking about love and judgement, but right now i think i'm in an Old Testament kinda mood.
Or maybe i'll just send them a few African proverbs, like the Daily Lifeline sent on Facebook earlier today: The snake may let you pass the first time, but take care not to pass there again!
Either way, if you have a good verse that you think we need to send to these nuts, go on and leave a comment, or just send me an e-mail.
I'm Cliff, and on that "note", i'm outta here!
Note: The use of a lowercase "i" as a personal pronoun is not a typo; it is an intentional usage meant to reflect a particular perspective.
Comments
Cliff, I have seen some of these bumper stickers around, but had no idea what the verse was about. Granted, I could have looked it up, but I had no idea it would be something so horrible! And these people call themselves Christians? How people could wish death upon someone, wish children to be without their father, and a wife to be without her husband, it is disgraceful! All of us Democrats wished for Bush to be out of office too, but to wish him dead, absolutely not. As a Christian Democrat, I am disgusted that something so horrible is available for purchase, and I'm appalled that there are people buying and supporting this. I just hope that no one I consider a friend has one of these on their car. My whole opinion of them would change drastically.
Thank you for pointing this out. I hadn't yet seen these t-shirts or bumper stickers, and am frankly disgusted by the masking of a call for assassination within a christian sentiment.
Love the fake outrage you libs conjure up. I think you're reading a little too much into this. It reads Psalm 109:8, not 109:9. It's a joke, take it for that.
Thank you for pointing this out. I hadn't yet seen these t-shirts or bumper stickers, and am frankly disgusted by the masking of a call for assassination within a christian sentiment.
Cliff, you can't just add more verses to the bumper sticker, no one said 109:8&9 or verses 109: 8-10.
You can't grant him victim status, if we do not want a socialist President.
You can't even grant him victim status if rams his "Health Don't Care Bill" down our throats, and the people take to the street in violence.
He has played the part of a bully, and bullies do not get victim status. We went to the town-hall meetings and said NO, signed partitions and said NO, and went to the White House and said NO. The majority of Americans do not want this health care bill, and if the people fight back against this bully, it's not because he is black, it's because he is not listening to us.
YOU have joined in with Nancy Pelosi, she keeps yelling that she is afraid of the violence, and at the same time bullying the American people.
You can not keep playing the victim or the race card, you need to play the hand you were dealt in life or at least quit making stuff up just to be the victi
If you just focus on the one verse 109:8, as the bumper sticker says, it's not horrible. It's how a lot of people feel. We don't want his wife widowed or his children fatherless. We simply would like to see him out of office before this country is destroyed by his socialistic policies. Seems to me, this is a distinctly kind way to put one's feelings about his presidency. And your article simply proves what we all knew would happen once he got elected--any disagreement or disapproval of his choices and policies will be viewed as "racist." We're those who disagreed with George W. Bush's choices and policies racist? I think it's time you grew up and recognized that the reasons most people dislike Obama's presidential performance have nothing to do with race. Just the fact that he was elected is proof. Perhaps you might want to give up the "racial" argument and search for the real reasons his presidency is in peril.
This bumper sticker is great. Twist words up much do ya liberals. It is about voting him out of office, that is all. Stop with the bs.
Pray for Obama: Psalm 109:8 I do this daily. Were the people that totted signs with Bush hanging from a noose nut cases. You are the nut case here. Reading something that is not there.
Get a sense of Humor Cliff.
Trying to defend this is disgusting. This is in no way the act of those who follow the teachings of Jesus. "Removed from office" is not the same as not getting re-elected; it's stating quite openly a prayer that Obama be removed from the office he legitimately holds.
I've got news for you; there are Christians out here who also know the Bible and know exactly what you all are doing. You are deliberately distorting the Bible to rationalize your evil intent. Typical of false Christians to say something odious and misuse the Bible to do it, and then dismiss anyone who notices the hypocrisy.
And I'm disgusted by those who call themselves Christians and then say they want President Obama "removed" because he's a Socialist. I wonder if any of you even know the definition of Socialism? If you did, you'd know Obama has not said or done anything to indicate that he wants Socialism for this nation.
But, if any of you haters needs an example of a real Socialist - look to Jesus.
Hey, you haters out there, sorry to tell you but God's love filters out your prayer spam.
Do you ya think you went a little out of your way just to play the RACE CARD?
... Is it the only card you have to play?
... Did you have to bring the slaves into this?
Even if playing the race card all the time is what you do, maybe you should not play it for other people?
I'm just asking the questions.
My favorite scripture is what The Bible says about masturbation. "What you do with your hand, do it in a mighty way"! Its just too bad that Christians in America don't have an ounce of faith to go with their collective zeal.
This is crazy! Has the gray line been crossed yet: guns to Presidential meetings, tee shirts advocating and supporting the killing other Americans by terrorists act, prominent TV host wishing death to the Speaker of the House, and now NOW! the open call for the death of our President. How deep does this hatred go? I consider myself a follower of Jesus and can not in anyway understand this thinking. Of course, in historical terms, we have seen this twisted logic as priest and Pope alike gave the GREEN light to Chattel slavery. In more recent history this twisting of the Christian Bible was used in part to turn many Christian Germans into eyes-wide shut co-conspirators in the Jewish genocide. But the shock factor here is that there is no excuse for ignorance of this nature in the 21st Century. We are the most technical advanced and educated humans in the world. Why in the name of everything HOLY are we confronted 12-19 century thinking. Have we not yet evolved?
By the way, all you Bush defenders need to stop and remember that the douche bag and his "daddy" started wars for personal profit and gain. Frankly the Bush's are murderers and war criminals.
You can view a clip regarding this psalm and the demonizing of Obama by the Christian right here: rawstory.com/2009/11/evangelist-religious-trawling-assassins/
And Julie, yes the people totting signs with a noose around Bush's neck were nut cases too.
Read the posts. WoW! This is not about Socialism, please. The Progressives have been advocating these measures for over a century. Read The Democratic South. Our President is a moderate and slightly conservative. The majority of Americans( Thank GOD) understand that he loves us and our country and will do what is good for all us rather we like it or not. So if your BEEF is just Socialism: eat your veggies before daddy gets the belt!
First,you had to add verses to the bumper sticker.
Then you assume it's all about Race (no race mentioned in the bible verse).
Then everyone that wants Obama out of office is a Nut.
... the next to last line "send to these nuts"
Yes, Obama got a difficult time in history to be president, but he has lied, put our Army at risk, and is spending us into bankruptcy, and he has surrounds himself with the socialist people I have ever seen.
Could you ever imagine that it might NOT be about him being black.
Sarah,
He has a cabinet and advisers that include Republicans and conservatives. You are watching too much Beck if you honestly believe he is surrounding himself with socialists.
You might want to read up on the psychology of bigotry and hate. Part of it involves dehumanizing the target (calling him Hilter, a nazi, a socialist, a communist, the anti-christ, etc). This then makes it acceptable to treat them as non-human and makes more acceptable to advocate, threaten, and attempt violence against them. That is just what we are seeing with the Christian-right.
The fact that Obama is black makes it easier for some on the fringe to see him as "the other". And that in part explains the fourfold increase in threats against him (highest in at least 50 years, only Kennedy drew a comparable level of hate in modern times).
I appreciate the detailed quotes. It's good to have MORE depth in our press not less. But I wonder If you might be Overthinking this? One could also assume that it was a humorous attempt rather than an insidious one.
Nevertheless...from reading your article I will not purchase any of these items.
I realize I haven't walked in your shows...but neither have you walked in mine. You seem to live in a Constant Racial Tension World. This is not healthy for the Country. By doing this you are ignoring all the good that has been done and even more importantly all the OPPORTUNITY that this country provides. You also fall into the trap of the Govermental and Banking Elites who benefit HUGELY from a divided populace. It is they who are the Evil actors. We all are more alike in hopes and dreams than we are different.
Let's not fall into THEIR Racial trap.
The same types of people who whine (and are deathly afraid of) Islamic radicals are the sorts who peddle this "blood of tyrants" type "ha ha, I'm not technically advocating violence, he he you can't prosecute me!" cowardly hate speech. They are hypocrites of the worst sort: religious fundamentalists trying to use their brand of 'religion' to peddle their petty personal politics and spread the Fox News/Glenn Beck message of insane, irrational hatred.
I have nothing but contempt for these vile un-American nutcases. And of course they'll go "LOL but you prayed for Bush to die toooo!" and of course they can't cite a single example of this and are merely attempting to rewrite history to justify their delusional world-view in which they are persecuted, innocent, Real Americans (tm).
Wow - it went from a...well..."decent" article about a bumper sticker that is ridiculous to - WHAM - Race. Seriously? Are you kidding me? Are you not ashamed? I am so sick of everything turning into a race issue with Obama concerned. Are you not aware that as a nation we have grown? A HALF Black man was elected and a WOMAN ran for President. I personally did not vote for Obama due to his stance on healthcare and foreign policies and the small fact that I'm a republican but was proud that this country could go so far to elect a president of a different race and that a woman could actually run. Now with that being said - I should also mention I hope the man isn't reelected but I know my verses well enough to know that isn't what it was about. So, the harshness of the bumper sticker portion of your so-called article is spot on while the race issue is YOUR issue - not America's!!! By the way, so you don't pull yet another ridiculous reason to use race - I'm a black, educated woman
I didn't vote for Obama; I am proud that our country was able to elect him though.
As far as verses go:
"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."
"Love your neighbor as yourself."
I disagree with almost all policies of this administration; I do believe, however, that he is and always will do what he thinks is best for us as a nation. And I can't fault him for that.
Also, death threats? Who would be dumb enough to threaten to kill the president, regardless of his policies?
Sarah,
He has a cabinet and advisers that include Republicans and conservatives. You are watching too much Beck if you honestly believe he is surrounding himself with socialists.
You might want to read up on the psychology of bigotry and hate. Part of it involves dehumanizing the target (calling him Hilter, a nazi, a socialist, a communist, the anti-christ, etc). This then makes it acceptable to treat them as non-human and makes more acceptable to advocate, threaten, and attempt violence against them. That is just what we are seeing with the Christian-right.
The fact that Obama is black makes it easier for some on the fringe to see him as "the other". And that in part explains the fourfold increase in threats against him (highest in at least 50 years, only Kennedy drew a comparable level of hate in modern times).
The same people who wear this verse on their shirts to try and make a funny point are probably the same ones who supported purported 'Christian' George W Bush, skull and bones occultist who was at the helm while over 1 million innocent Iraqi civilians were brutally slaughtered. There is no rhyme or reason to it.
Obviously - and any logic and obvious thinking is always hard for people who are overeager to cry racism over anything - the bumper sticker is about the verse 109:8 not the one that follows it.... I know, some things still have to be spelled out for liberal racism happy idiots.
Zazzle is making t shirts
Seditious t-shirts are made by Zazzle.com
Zazzle.com
1900 Seaport Blvd
4th Fl
Rewood City, CA 94063
US
Domain Name: ZAZZLE.COM
Administrative Contact, Technical Contact: Barbara Tam(?)
phone: 650-872-8000
Associated with crusaderpatriot
DAVE!..Chill dude...your Meds are just a small reach away on the coffee table.(Pssst remember there was an actual MOVIE whose topic was to Kill Bush...forgot that one huh?)
PETER...Can you name some of those Republicans and Conservatives he has "Surrounded himself with". And when you say Dehumanizing Targets are you meaning like when the Obama Messiah called the Cambridge Police Dept STUPID? Or perhaps you are refering to the PRES calling the poeple who tried to talk with their representatives this year 'Marginal extremists". Is that it Peter?
MARTIN HILL...Libertarian..Reaaally..HAHAHAHHA. Your a Liberal who doesn't have the guts to admit it. Where exactly are the sources for this convenient 1 Million citizens killed?? This # gets batted about as if it's truth. I wonder do you even know how many were killed by Sadam? Do you even care?
Race Race Race..You are dividing the Country and don't even know or Care. In case you forgot Black is NOT the only race out there.
@Vicki, Sarah and annoyed: regarding race, i have absolutely no doubt that there are some well intentioned folks who just disagree with Obama's policies and are not influenced by race. And perhaps if i just looked at this verse as an isolated incident, i would view it that way. But when put in context of the increased threats, monkey signs, racial comments at rallies and on websites, an increase in hate groups etc, then i'm forced to put the question back to you. Why would you NOT consider that race is involved?
"Actually, we who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive. We bring it out in the open, where it can be seen and dealt with. Like a boil that can never be cured so long as it is covered up but must be opened with all its ugliness to the natural medicines of air and light, injustice must be exposed, with all the tension its exposure creates, to the light of human conscience"
In our currently devisive climate, it is not only easy but rather low-brow to assume that the uptick in threats and the groundswell of hatred for Obama are race related. Maybe people hate Obama strictly becasue he is an America-hating socialist whose aims are to destroy the greatest nation in history. Hmmm. Naw, we're all just a bunch of stupid rednecks lookin' for a rope. Get real. Obama was elected by a WHITE majority.
Wow--a lot of hate in the comments here--from both sides. Some may feel the people praying for Obama using the verse Psalms 109:8 is nothing more than asking that he be voted out next term. Others see the context of the verse and think these people want the President to die while in office. Frankly, I think we of what ever faith we have should pray for the President of the United States, whether we agree or disagree with his policies, we can always pray that God gives him the wisdom and insight to lead our country properly. I have never considered praying that a President be removed from office--and have always done my best to ask God to guide the President in the right direction. I do not want the President re-elected, and for that I will cast my vote for another when the time comes to vote (provided that person would not be a worse choice).
Make a difference and make your voices heard--but leave out the hate--and vote!
Jeff
If you disagree about any of Obama's policies you are suddenly a racist for not supporting a black president. And he's not even black. This is totally and utterly ridiculous. I (like most people here) believe that everyone is reading WAY too much into this. By making everything about race you people are dividing the country and it is going to get really ugly if you don't cut it out!!!!
Way to go Jeff!!! You are so right! Thank you for your very insightful comment!
New blog post: Death Threat In Psalm 109:8?
obamaprayers dot blogspot dot com
Cliff,
When did you start hating everyone who isn't black or latino?
You article seems a little like hate-speech to me.
I would suggest that since this started out with Psalms 109, we might want to look at the Psalm in its entirety and find out exactly what is taking place. Read the first 5 verses and you will find David is asking God for judgment against his enemies under the law because they being wicked, have lied about him, attacked him without cause, surrounded him with words of hatred, hated him because he extended love, given him evil for his good, and David responded by giving himself to prayer. The tirade against Obama starts in the 6th. verse and goes on through the 19th verse, they just focused attention on verse 8. David concludes his prayer from verse 20 to 31 by asking God to have mercy on him and deliver him from the threat of his enemies. David expresses an absolute confidence in God's power to defeat his enemies and bring shame to their own purposes. David's last statement of faith is to rejoice and praise the God of justice. Mr. President, I hope someone gets this to you.
Orlandus your tirade is way off. If someone is quoting from Scripture they will quote the book, chapter and verse(Or verses).
Thus if a qoute is for more verses it would read Psalm 109:8-10, or Psalm 109:8-31 as you suggested.
Psalm 109:8 means exactly that Verse and no more. Is everybody in your "community" so blinded by hatred, bigotry and racism against whites that you ignore longstanding and universally accepted referencing tradition? How sad and how sick.
Sorry, sad, and sick, I have to take your word for your present state, but there is no universally accepted method of taking the scriptures out of context that I'm aware of, sorry. There is no way to take one verse of scripture to make a point without support from scripture that follows and precedes it in the academic community I subscribe to. That is, unless you're being underhanded, and deceitful. Never mentioned anything in my post about race but I guess if you're feeling guilty anything and everything is racially motivated. Sorry, Sorry but there a some of us out here who still calls a spade a apade and no apologies. The truth is neither liberal or conservative.
There will always be Americans who are opposed to the sitting President, yet no other President in American history has ever inherited a national crisis of the magnitude that Obama has inherited. Yet strangely enough, from the moment he took office, he's been blamed for every crisis that is affecting the country.
New Obama Bumber Sticker Isaiah 54:14-17
In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. "Behold, I have created the blacksmith Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; And I have created the spoiler to destroy. No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me," Says the Lo
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!