Albert Barnes Commentary James 3:9

"Therewith bless we the Lord and Father; and therewith curse we men, who are made after the likeness of God:" — James 3:9 (ASV)

Therewith bless we God. We humans do this; that is, all this is done by the tongue. The apostle does not mean that the same man does this, but that all this is done by the same organ—the tongue.

Even the Father. Who stands in the relation of a Father to us. The apostle's point is the absurdity of employing the tongue in such contradictory uses as to bless one who stands in the relation of a Father to us and to curse any being, especially those who are made in his image. The word bless here is used in the sense of praise, thank, worship.

And therewith curse we men. That is, it is done by the same organ by which God is praised and honoured.

Which are made after the similitude of God. After his image (Genesis 1:26–27). As we bless God, we ought, with the same organ, to bless those who are like him. There is an absurdity in cursing men who are thus made, like the absurdity there would be in both blessing and cursing the Creator himself.