For he never thought to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and brokenhearted, even to their death.
Parallel translations
- WEB because he didn’t remember to show kindness, but persecuted the poor and needy man, the broken in heart, to kill them.
- 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.
- ESV For he did not remember to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and the brokenhearted, to put them to death.
- 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.
- NASB Because he did not remember to show mercy, But persecuted the afflicted and needy person, And the despondent in heart, to put them to death.
- NLT For he refused all kindness to others; he persecuted the poor and needy, and he hounded the brokenhearted to death.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David explains the ground of his prayer: the enemy showed no kindness but hounded the poor and broken-hearted to death. His judgment fits his cruelty.
Overview
This verse gives the moral basis for the imprecations: the wicked man actively persecuted the vulnerable and afflicted. God's special concern for the poor and broken in heart means He will avenge them (Psalm 34:18). Jesus, who Himself was poor and broken in heart yet sinless, bore such hostility and entrusted Himself to the righteous Judge (1 Peter 2:23).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Ps 34:18The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.
- Jas 2:13For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
- Ps 37:14The wicked have drawn the sword and bent the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.
- Matt 18:33–35Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’
- Matt 5:7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
- Mark 14:34–36Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.”
- Matt 27:35–46When they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments by casting lots.
- Ps 10:2In pride the wicked pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they devise.
- 2 Sam 16:11–12Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son, my own flesh and blood, seeks my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone and let him curse me, for the LORD has told him so.
- Ps 69:20–29Insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found no one.
- Ps 37:32Though the wicked lie in wait for the righteous, and seek to slay them,
- Job 19:2–3“How long will you torment me and crush me with your words?
- 2 Sam 17:1–2Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David.
- Gen 42:21Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.”
- Job 19:21–22Have pity on me, my friends, have pity, for the hand of God has struck me.
- Ps 10:14But You have regarded trouble and grief; You see to repay it by Your hand. The victim entrusts himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 109:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.