Psalms 109:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

For he did not remember to show kindness but hounded the downtrodden, the poor and the brokenhearted to death.

Berean Standard Bible:

For he never thought to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and brokenhearted, even to their death.

American Standard Version:

Because he remembered not to show kindness, But persecuted the poor and needy man, And the broken in heart, to slay them.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Because that he remembered^{H2142} not to shew^{H6213} mercy^{H2617}, but persecuted^{H7291} the poor^{H6041} and needy^{H34} man^{H376}, that he might even slay^{H4191} the broken^{H3512} in heart^{H3824}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Psalms 109:16

Psalm 109:16 is part of an imprecatory psalm, a type of psalm that calls on God to bring judgment upon enemies. In this verse, the psalmist, King David, is crying out to God against his adversaries who have shown no mercy and have persecuted the vulnerable. The historical context of this psalm is rooted in the personal experiences of David, who faced betrayal, slander, and opposition throughout his life.

The themes of Psalm 109:16 include the stark contrast between merciless persecution and the plight of the poor and needy. The verse speaks to the heartless actions of David's enemies, who not only neglect to show kindness but actively seek to destroy those who are already suffering and "broken in heart." This reflects a common theme in the Bible where the mistreatment of the vulnerable is portrayed as particularly egregious, and the psalmist implores God to take note of such injustices and intervene.

In the broader context of the psalm, David appeals to God's sense of justice, asking for divine retribution against those who have wronged him without cause. The psalm serves as a prayer for justice, a plea for God to defend the helpless and to hold accountable those who oppress others. It also reflects the human desire for vindication and the belief that ultimately, God will right all wrongs. This verse, like other parts of Psalm 109, has been interpreted in various ways throughout history, with some Christians seeing it as prophetic of the suffering and rejection experienced by Jesus Christ, while others apply its principles to ongoing struggles against injustice and oppression.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H2142
   There are 223 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זָכַר
   Transliteration: zâkar
   Pronunciation: zaw-kar'
   Description: a primitive root; also as denominative from זָכָר; properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male; [idiom] burn (incense), [idiom] earnestly, be male, (make) mention (of), be mindful, recount, record(-er), remember, make to be remembered, bring (call, come, keep, put) to (in) remembrance, [idiom] still, think on, [idiom] well.
   
2. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
3. Strong's Number: H2617
   There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֵסֵד
   Transliteration: chêçêd
   Pronunciation: kheh'-sed
   Description: from חָסַד; kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty; favour, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7291
   There are 135 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָדַף
   Transliteration: râdaph
   Pronunciation: raw-daf'
   Description: a primitive root; to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by); chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r).
   
5. Strong's Number: H6041
   There are 78 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָנִי
   Transliteration: ʻânîy
   Pronunciation: aw-nee'
   Description: from עָנָה; (practically the same as עָנָו, although the margin constantly disputes this, making עָנָו subjective and objective); depressed, in mind or circumstances; afflicted, humble, lowly, needy, poor.
   
6. Strong's Number: H34
   There are 4910 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶבְיוֹן
   Transliteration: ʼebyôwn
   Pronunciation: eb-yone'
   Description: from אָבָה, in the sense of want (especially in feeling); destitute; beggar, needy, poor (man).
   
7. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
8. Strong's Number: H4191
   There are 694 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מוּת
   Transliteration: mûwth
   Pronunciation: mooth
   Description: a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill; [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3512
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּאָה
   Transliteration: kâʼâh
   Pronunciation: kaw-aw'
   Description: a primitive root; to despond; causatively, to deject; broken, be grieved, make sad.
   
10. Strong's Number: H3824
    There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: לֵבָב
    Transliteration: lêbâb
    Pronunciation: lay-bawb'
    Description: from לָבַב; used also like לֵב; the heart (as the most interior organ); [phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding.