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.
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.
- 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.
- 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 34:18Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
- Jas 2:13For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
- Ps 37:14The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to kill those who are upright on the path.
- Matt 18:33–35Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?’
- Matt 5:7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
- Mark 14:34–36He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch.”
- Matt 27:35–46When they had crucified him, they divided his clothing among them, casting lots,
- Ps 10:2In arrogance, the wicked hunt down the weak. They are caught in the schemes that they devise.
- 2 Sam 16:11–12David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, “Behold, my son, who came out of my bowels, seeks my life. How much more this Benjamite, now? Leave him alone, and let him curse; for Yahweh has invited him.
- Ps 69:20–29Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness. I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; for comforters, but I found none.
- Ps 37:32The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to kill him.
- Job 19:2–3“How long will you torment me, and crush me with words?
- 2 Sam 17:1–2Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me now choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David tonight.
- Gen 42:21They said to one another, “We are certainly guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us, and we wouldn’t listen. Therefore this distress has come upon us.”
- Job 19:21–22“Have pity on me, have pity on me, you my friends; for the hand of God has touched me.
- Ps 10:14But you do see trouble and grief. You consider it to take it into your hand. You help the victim and 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.