Charles Ellicott Commentary Numbers 22:6

"Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land; for I know that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed." — Numbers 22:6 (ASV)

Curse me this people.— Balak undoubtedly believed in the efficacy of Balaam’s magical incantations. Furthermore, it is worth noting that, as Keil has remarked (in the passage cited), "it is frequently celebrated as a great favour displayed towards Israel that the Lord did not listen to Balaam, but turned the curse into a blessing" (Deuteronomy 23:5; Joshua 24:10; Nehemiah 13:2).