Psalm 109:16

EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS

Verse 16. Because. Why, what is the crime? Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, etc. See what a long vial full of the plagues of God is poured out upon the unmerciful man! --Thomas Watson.

Verse 16. But persecuted the poor. If any man will practise subtraction against the poor, God will use it against him, and take his name out of the book of life. If he be damned that gives not his own, what shall become of him that takes away another man's? (Augustine.) If judgment without mercy shall be to him that shows no mercy ( James 2:13 ) where shall subtraction and rapine appear? Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let strangers spoil his labour, Psalms 109:11 : there is one subtraction, his estate. Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out, Ps 109:13: there is another subtraction, his memory. Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children, Psalms 109:12 : there is another subtraction, a denial of all pity to him and his, Let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin, Psalms 109:7 : there is another subtraction, no audience from heaven. Let another take his office; there is a subtraction of his place: let his days be few, Psalms 109:8 : there is a subtraction of his life. Let him be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous, Psalms 69:28 ; there is the last, the subtraction of his soul. This is a fearful arithmetic: if the wicked add sins, God will add plagues. If they subtract from others their rights, God shall subtract from them his mercies. --Thomas Adams.