Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.
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.
- BSB For he never thought to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and brokenhearted, even to their death.
- 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 nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
- Jas 2:13For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
- Ps 37:14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation.
- Matt 18:33–35Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
- Matt 5:7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
- Mark 14:34–36And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
- Matt 27:35–46And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.
- Ps 10:2The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
- 2 Sam 16:11–12And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.
- Ps 69:20–29Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.
- Ps 37:32The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.
- Job 19:2–3How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?
- 2 Sam 17:1–2Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night:
- Gen 42:21And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.
- Job 19:21–22Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.
- Ps 10:14Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mischief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: the poor committeth himself unto thee; thou art the helper of the fatherless.
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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
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