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. 17 As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him. 18 As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels [1] like water, and like oil into his bones. 19 Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually. 20 Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the Lord, and of them that speak evil against my soul.
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. 19 May it be like a cloak wrapped about him, like a belt tied forever around him. 20 May this be the Lord's payment to my accusers, to those who speak evil of me.
16 For he did not remember to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted, to put them to death. 17 He loved to curse; let curses come
16 That's all he deserves since he was never once kind, hounded the afflicted and heartbroken to their graves. 17 Since he loved cursing so much, let curses rain down; Since he had no taste for blessing, let blessings flee far from him. 18 He dressed up in curses like a fine suit of clothes; he drank curses, took his baths in curses. 19 So give him a gift - a costume of curses; he can wear curses every day of the week! 20 That's what they'll get, those out to get me - an avalanche of just deserts from God.
16 Because he did not remember to show mercy, But persecuted the poor and needy man, That he might even slay the broken in heart. 17 As he loved cursing, so let it come to him; As he did not delight in blessing, so let it be far from him. 18 As he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, So let it enter his body like water, And like oil into his bones. 19 Let it be to him like the garment which covers him, And for a belt with which he girds himself continually. 20 Let this be the Lord's reward to my accusers, And to those who speak evil against my person.
16 For he refused all kindness to others; he persecuted the poor and needy, and he hounded the brokenhearted to death. 17 He loved to curse others; now you curse him. He never blessed others; now don't you bless him. 18 Cursing is as natural to him as his clothing, or the water he drinks, or the rich food he eats. 19 Now may his curses return and cling to him like clothing; may they be tied around him like a belt." 20 May those curses become the Lord 's punishment for my accusers who speak evil of me.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 109:16-20
Commentary on Psalm 109:6-20
(Read Psalm 109:6-20)
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 what will be the effect of the sentence, "Go, ye cursed," upon the bodies and souls of the wicked! How it will affect the senses of the body, and the powers of the soul, with pain, anguish, horror, and despair! Think on these things, sinners, tremble and repent.