Psalms 109:16 - because he didn’t remember to show kindness, but persecuted the poor and needy man, the broken in heart, to kill them.
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What does "Psalms 109:16" mean?
Psalm 109 is a particularly harsh and vengeful prayer against an enemy. Verse 16 is part of the list of accusations justifying the speaker's curses. Let's break down what this specific verse means:
"because he didn’t remember to show kindness..." This is the fundamental flaw. The enemy actively chose not to be kind, compassionate, or helpful to those in need. It wasn't an oversight; it was a deliberate decision.
"...but persecuted the poor and needy man..." Instead of helping the vulnerable, the enemy actively harassed, oppressed, and caused suffering to those who were already struggling with poverty and hardship. "Persecuted" implies a systematic and intentional campaign of harm.
"...the broken in heart, to kill them." This is the most extreme part. The enemy targeted those who were emotionally devastated, the "broken in heart." The implication is that he wanted to destroy them completely, even to the point of their physical death. This could mean literally causing their demise, or it could be a figurative death, referring to the utter destruction of their spirit and livelihood.
In essence, this verse accuses the enemy of:
Deliberate unkindness: A conscious choice to withhold help.
Oppression of the vulnerable: Actively harming those who were already suffering.
Cruelty to the brokenhearted: Targeting the most emotionally vulnerable with the intent to destroy them.
The verse paints a picture of a heartless and malicious individual who takes pleasure in inflicting pain on the weak and vulnerable. It's important to remember that this is a very specific expression of anger and a plea for divine justice within the context of the Psalms.
It's crucial to note that while the verse expresses intense anger and calls for retribution, it is not necessarily advocating for personal revenge. It is more a plea to God to right the wrongs committed by the enemy and to protect the vulnerable from further harm.
Psalms 109:16 - because he didn’t remember to show kindness, but persecuted the poor and needy man, the broken in heart, to kill them.
What does "Psalms 109:16" mean?
Psalm 109 is a particularly harsh and vengeful prayer against an enemy. Verse 16 is part of the list of accusations justifying the speaker's curses. Let's break down what this specific verse means:
"because he didn’t remember to show kindness..." This is the fundamental flaw. The enemy actively chose not to be kind, compassionate, or helpful to those in need. It wasn't an oversight; it was a deliberate decision.
"...but persecuted the poor and needy man..." Instead of helping the vulnerable, the enemy actively harassed, oppressed, and caused suffering to those who were already struggling with poverty and hardship. "Persecuted" implies a systematic and intentional campaign of harm.
"...the broken in heart, to kill them." This is the most extreme part. The enemy targeted those who were emotionally devastated, the "broken in heart." The implication is that he wanted to destroy them completely, even to the point of their physical death. This could mean literally causing their demise, or it could be a figurative death, referring to the utter destruction of their spirit and livelihood.
In essence, this verse accuses the enemy of:
Deliberate unkindness: A conscious choice to withhold help.
Oppression of the vulnerable: Actively harming those who were already suffering.
Cruelty to the brokenhearted: Targeting the most emotionally vulnerable with the intent to destroy them.
The verse paints a picture of a heartless and malicious individual who takes pleasure in inflicting pain on the weak and vulnerable. It's important to remember that this is a very specific expression of anger and a plea for divine justice within the context of the Psalms.
It's crucial to note that while the verse expresses intense anger and calls for retribution, it is not necessarily advocating for personal revenge. It is more a plea to God to right the wrongs committed by the enemy and to protect the vulnerable from further harm.