A portraiture of the wicked man, who was David's chief adversary at the time, is now given, in explanation, and perhaps in justification, of the numerous and severe anathemas. He was merciless (Psalms 109:16), a persecutor of the poor (Psalms 109:16), given to cursing (Psalms 109:17, Psalms 109:18), and one who spoke evil against the innocent (Psalms 109:20).
Bible Commentary
Psalms 109:16-20
The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 109:16-20
The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain
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The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 109:1-31Psalms 109:1-31 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe dreadful psalm. It is by no means easy to imagine the whole nation of Israel singing such dreadful imprecations as those contained in Psalms 109:6-19. "Thousands of God's people," says Mr. Spurgeon, "are perplexed b…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 109:1-31Psalms 109:1-31 · The Pulpit CommentaryAwful Imprecations This is a psalm of the most awful imprecations, in which the writer unrestminedly pours forth the fiercest hatred of his enemy, and pleads with God to load him with the most dreadful curses. He justif…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 109:1-31Psalms 109:1-31 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION THE title of this psalm—"To the chief musician, a psalm of David"—is thought to be not inappropriate. We may have here David's own appeal to God against his persecutors, and especially against a chief persecu…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 109:1-31Psalms 109:1-31 · The Pulpit CommentaryExplanation, warning, encouragement. This psalm of David contains— I. AN EXPLANATION TO BE SOUGHT. How came these strong imprecations to be used by the servant of the Lord? Are they worthy to find a place in the pages o…Matthew Henry on Psalms 109:6-20Psalms 109:6-20 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThe Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to s…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 109:16Psalms 109:16 · The Pulpit CommentaryBecause that he remembered not to show mercy. Saul certainly was a persecutor of this kind—implacable; one whom compassion never touched; who, after he had once become David's enemy, never under any circumstances showed…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 109:1-31EXPOSITION THE title of this psalm—"To the chief musician, a psalm of David"—is thought to be not inappropriate. We may have here David's own appeal to God against his persecutors, and especially against a chief persecu…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 109:1-31Explanation, warning, encouragement. This psalm of David contains— I. AN EXPLANATION TO BE SOUGHT. How came these strong imprecations to be used by the servant of the Lord? Are they worthy to find a place in the pages o…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 109:1-31The dreadful psalm. It is by no means easy to imagine the whole nation of Israel singing such dreadful imprecations as those contained in Psalms 109:6-19. "Thousands of God's people," says Mr. Spurgeon, "are perplexed b…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 109:1-31Awful Imprecations This is a psalm of the most awful imprecations, in which the writer unrestminedly pours forth the fiercest hatred of his enemy, and pleads with God to load him with the most dreadful curses. He justif…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 109:6-20The Lord Jesus may speak here as a Judge, denouncing sentence on some of his enemies, to warn others. When men reject the salvation of Christ, even their prayers are numbered among their sins. See what hurries some to s…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 109:16Because that he remembered not to show mercy. Saul certainly was a persecutor of this kind—implacable; one whom compassion never touched; who, after he had once become David's enemy, never under any circumstances showed…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 109:17Suffering that which we make others suffer. "As he loved cursing, so let it come to him." We have a popular sentence which illustrates. When a man suffers what he planned to make others suffer, he is said to be "hoist w…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 109:17As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him; rather, so it came upon him (Revised Version), or so it shall come upon him (LXX; Cheyne). The one of David's enemies who "loved cursing" most was Shimei (2 Samuel 16:5-12).…Joseph S. Exell and contributors