Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 109:16

"Because he remembered not to show kindness, But persecuted the poor and needy man, And the broken in heart, to slay [them]." — Psalms 109:16 (ASV)

Because he did not remember to show mercy—he had no compassion; he was severe, harsh, unjust, and unfeeling.

But persecuted the poor and needy man—the man who was destitute of friends, who was a wanderer and a beggar. There were times in the life of David when this would be strictly and literally applicable to him.

That he might even slay the broken in heart—the man whose heart was crushed by sorrow—that he might put “the finishing stroke” to all and send him to the grave.

Whatever “feeling” might have prompted this prayer, or however difficult it may be to vindicate the psalmist’s expression of feeling, there can be no doubt as to the propriety of inflicting punishment on such a man.

The sufferings invoked are none too severe to be inflicted on a man who persecutes the poor and needy, and seeks so to multiply sorrows that the man already crushed and broken in heart shall sink to the grave.