New English Translation
Psalms 109:16
16For he never bothered to show kindness; he harassed the oppressed and needy, and killed the disheartened.
Psalms 109:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.
- New International Version (NIV)For he never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For he did not remember to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted, to put them to death.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Because he did not remember to show mercy, But persecuted the poor and needy man, That he might even slay the broken in heart.
Context of Psalms 109:16
14May his ancestors’ sins be remembered by the Lord! May his mother’s sin not be forgotten! 15May the Lord be constantly aware of them, and cut off the memory of his children from the earth! For he never bothered to show kindness; he harassed the oppressed and needy, and killed the disheartened. 17He loved to curse others, so those curses have come upon him. He had no desire to bless anyone, so he has experienced no blessings. 18He made cursing a way of life, so curses poured into his stomach like water and seeped into his bones like oil.
Read all of Psalms 109Psalms 109:16 word by word
יַ֗עַן אֲשֶׁ֤ר׀ לֹ֥א זָכַר֮ עֲשׂ֪וֹת חָ֥סֶד וַיִּרְדֹּ֡ף אִישׁ־עָנִ֣י וְ֭אֶבְיוֹן וְנִכְאֵ֨ה לֵבָ֬ב לְמוֹתֵֽת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Because that he rememberedזָכַרzâkar · to rememberH2142
- not to shewעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
- mercyחֶ֫סֶדchêsêd · kindnessH2617
- but persecutedרָדַףrâdaph · to pursueH7291
- the poorעָנִי‛ânîy · afflictedH6041
- and needyאֶבְיוֹן'ebyôn · needyH34
- manאִישׁ'îysh · man: anyoneH376
- that he might even slayמוּתmûth · to dieH4191
- the brokenכָּאָהkâ'âh · be disheartenedH3512
- in heartלֵבָבlêbâb · heartH3824
Cross-references for Psalms 109:16
- 2 Samuel 17:1Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me pick out twelve thousand men. Then I will go and pursue David this very night.
- Matthew 5:7“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
- Matthew 18:33Should you not have shown mercy to your fellow slave, just as I showed it to you?’
- James 2:13For judgment is merciless for the one who has shown no mercy. But mercy triumphs over judgment.
- Psalms 10:2The wicked arrogantly chase the oppressed; the oppressed are trapped by the schemes the wicked have dreamed up.
- Genesis 42:21They said to one other, “Surely we’re being punished because of our brother, because we saw how distressed he was when he cried to us for mercy, but we refused to listen. That is why this distress has come on us!”
- Job 19:2“How long will you torment me and crush me with your words?
- Matthew 27:35When they had crucified him, they divided his clothes by throwing dice.
- Psalms 34:18The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he delivers those who are discouraged.
- Psalms 69:20Their insults are painful and make me lose heart; I look for sympathy, but receive none, for comforters, but find none.
- 2 Samuel 16:11Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “My own son, my very own flesh and blood, is trying to take my life. So also now this Benjaminite! Leave him alone so that he can curse, for the Lord has spoken to him.
- Mark 14:34He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to the point of death. Remain here and stay alert.”
Commentaries on Psalms 109:16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 16Persecuted the poor and needy man - In the case of Jesus Christ all the dictates of justice and mercy were destroyed, and they persecuted this poor man unto death. They acted from a diabolical malice. On common principles, their opposition to Christ cannot be accounted for.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16Because that he remembered not to show mercy - He had no compassion; he was severe, harsh, unjust, unfeeling. But persecuted the poor and needy man - The man that was destitute of friends; that was a wanderer and a beggar. There were times in the life of David when this would be strictly and literally applicable to him. That he might even slay the broken in heart - The man whose heart was crushed by sorrow - that he might put “the finishing stroke” to…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-20Verses 6-20 The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to shameful deaths, and brings the families and estates of others to ruin; makes them and theirs despicable and hateful, and brings poverty, shame, and misery upon their posterity: it is sin, that mischievous, destructive thing. And…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16The defendant committed very serious crimes that carried the death penalty and did not show even basic decency.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. Let God remember guilt, because he (the wicked) did not remember mercy. poor and needy ... broken in heart--that is, pious sufferer (Psa 34:18; 35:10; 40:17).Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 109:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 109
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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