Because that he remembered not to shew mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart.

PSALMS 109:16KJV
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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.

Where else these words appear

“broken” Hebrew H3512 · used in 3 verses

  • Ezekiel 13:22 Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life:
  • Daniel 11:30 For the ships of Chittim shall come against him: therefore he shall be grieved, and return, and have indignation against the holy covenant: so shall he do; he shall even return, and have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.

“needy” Hebrew H34 · used in 58 verses

  • Exodus 23:6 Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.
  • Psalms 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
  • Proverbs 31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

“poor” Hebrew H6041 · used in 78 verses

  • Exodus 22:25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
  • Psalms 34:6 This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
  • Ecclesiastes 6:8 For what hath the wise more than the fool? what hath the poor, that knoweth to walk before the living?

“persecuted” Hebrew H7291 · used in 135 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • Judges 8:4 And Gideon came to Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing them.
  • Psalms 38:20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.