Psalms 109:16 (KJV)

What does Psalms 109:16 mean?

Psalms 109:16 describes someone who failed to show mercy and instead pursued and harmed those who were poor, needy, and brokenhearted, even to the point of seeking their death. The verse highlights a lack of compassion and an active intent to hurt the most vulnerable people.

In this psalm, David is speaking, calling out the cruel actions of his enemies before God. The verse sits within a larger prayer where David asks for justice against those who have treated him and others with harshness and without kindness. The focus is on the seriousness of forgetting mercy and targeting those already suffering.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 109:16

• "Mercy" (חֶסֶד, ḥesed): This word often means steadfast love or kindness, not just a momentary feeling but a deep, faithful commitment to care for others. The verse points out the absence of this quality in the person being described.
• "Poor" (עָנִי, ʿani) and "Needy" (אֶבְיוֹן, ʾevyon): These two words together emphasize people who are not only lacking material resources but are also vulnerable and powerless. The verse singles out the mistreatment of those who most need help.
• "Broken" (נִכְאֵה, nikʾeh) "in heart" (לֵב, lev): This phrase refers to someone crushed or deeply wounded emotionally or spiritually. The verse shows that the cruelty extended even to those already suffering inside.

Why Psalms 109:16 matters

• This verse clarifies that the wrongdoing is not just a lack of kindness but an active pursuit of harm against those least able to defend themselves.
• The focus on the poor, needy, and brokenhearted connects to a broader biblical theme of God’s concern for the vulnerable and a warning against exploiting them.
• In the context of David’s prayer, this verse helps explain why he is calling for justice: the actions described are not minor failings but serious violations of compassion and humanity.