Psalms 109:16

16 For he never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted.

Psalms 109:16 in Other Translations

16 Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.

16 For he did not remember to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted, to put them to death.

16 For he refused all kindness to others; he persecuted the poor and needy, and he hounded the brokenhearted to death.

16 That's all he deserves since he was never once kind, hounded the afflicted and heartbroken to their graves.

16 For he did not think to show kindness, but pursued the wretched poor and the brokenhearted in order to put them to death.

Psalms 109:16 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 109:16

Because that he remembered not to show mercy
As Judas did not; neither to the poor, whom he cared not for, ( John 12:6 ) nor to Christ, whom he betrayed with a kiss to his enemies: nor had these words of Christ any effect upon him, to move his pity and compassion, "Friend, wherefore art thou come?" ( Matthew 26:49 Matthew 26:50 ) nor did the Jews show mercy to him: they were a merciless and hardhearted people; though mercy was one of the weightier matters of the law, this they omitted, ( Matthew 23:23 ) , their want of compassion may be observed in the priest and Levite passing by the man wounded by thieves, ( Luke 10:30-32 ) . Nor did they show any mercy to Christ, when they smote and buffeted him; nor did it move their pity when Pilate brought him forth with a crown of thorns on his head, and in a miserable condition, saying, "Behold the man"; but they cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him"; and gave him gall for his meat, and vinegar to drink; and mocked him when in all his miseries and agonies.

But persecuted the poor and needy man;
Christ, who became poor for our sakes, and stood in need of the ministration of others to him, ( 2 Corinthians 8:9 ) ( Luke 8:3 ) and was poor in spirit, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with griefs; him Judas and the Jews persecuted to death, as follows:

that he might even slay the broken in heart;
Christ, whose heart was broken with the reproach and cruel usage of men, ( Psalms 69:20 ) , whose life the Jews sought to take away, and by means of Judas did.

Psalms 109:16 In-Context

14 May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD; may the sin of his mother never be blotted out.

15 May their sins always remain before the LORD, that he may blot out their name from the earth.

16 For he never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted.

17 He loved to pronounce a curse— may it come back on him. He found no pleasure in blessing— may it be far from him.

18 He wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water, into his bones like oil.

Cross References

• 1. S Job 20:19; S Psalms 35:10; Psalms 37:14,32
• 2. S Psalms 34:18