Psalms 109:11-20 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour.

-God's visitation on the wicked man's property (Psalms 109:11-12); on his name and memorial (Psalms 109:13-15). The inspired prophetic prayer rests on the principle that divine justice is an all-consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29), which does not rest until it has utterly extirpated the hardened transgressor.

Verse 11. And let the stranger spoil his labour - the fruit of "his labour:" instead of his own family and kindred enjoying it.

Verse 12. Let there be none to extend mercy unto him - as a creditor does to a debtor; or an almsgiver does to the poor (Psalms 37:21). "Extend," - i:e., 'continue;' "draw out at full length" (Psalms 36:10; Psalms 85:5).

Verse 13. Let his posterity be cut off. Hengstenberg translates, 'let his futurity be cut off.' So Psalms 37:38, "the end of the wicked shall be cut off." The Hebrew х 'achªriyt (H319)] is the same as here: see note there. His futurity or last end - i:e., all that is left of him-will include any surviving posterity.

And in the generation following - after it has existed in the first generation amidst starvation and desolation my soul - i:e., of them that falsely accuse me, to take away my life (Psalms 109:16; Psalms 109:31). On "mine adversaries," cf. Psalms 109:4. This is the concluding summary of the strophe (cf. Isaiah 17:14; Isaiah 54:17).

Psalms 109:11-20

11 Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour.

12 Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.

13 Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

14 Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.

15 Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

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 bowelse 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.