John Calvin 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 forgot to show mercy. The prophet now comes to show that he had good reason for desiring such awful and dreadful calamities to be inflicted upon his enemies. Their thirst for cruelty was insatiable, and they were carried away by rage, no less cruel than obstinate, against the afflicted and poor man, persecuting him with as little scruple as if they were attacking a dead dog.

Even philosophers regard cruelty directed against the helpless and miserable as an act worthy only of a cowardly and base nature, for envy is cherished between equals. For this reason, the prophet represents his enemies' malignity as particularly bitter, shown in their persecution of him when he was in affliction and poverty. The expression, the sorrowful in heart, is still more emphatic.

For there are persons who, despite their afflictions, are puffed up with pride; and as this conduct is unreasonable and unnatural, these individuals incur the displeasure of the powerful. On the other hand, it would be a sign of extreme cruelty to treat with contempt the lowly and dejected in heart.

Would this not be to fight with a shadow? This insatiable cruelty is still further pointed out by the phrase, forgetting to show mercy. The meaning is that the calamities with which he witnessed this guiltless and miserable man struggling fail to arouse his pity, so that he does not, as he ought, lay aside his savage disposition out of consideration for the common lot of humanity.

In this passage, therefore, the contrast is balanced between such obstinate pride on the one hand, and the strict and irrevocable judgment of God on the other. And as David spoke only as he was moved by the Holy Spirit, this imprecation must be received as if God Himself were to thunder from His heavenly throne.

Thus, on the one hand, by denouncing vengeance against the ungodly, He subdues and restrains our perverse inclinations, which might lead us to injure a fellow human being. On the other hand, by imparting comfort to us, He mitigates and moderates our sorrow, so that we patiently endure the ills which they inflict upon us.

The wicked may for a time revel with impunity in the gratification of their lusts, but this threatening shows that the protection God grants to the afflicted is not in vain.

Therefore, let the faithful conduct themselves meekly, so that their humility and contrition of spirit may come before God with acceptance. And since we cannot distinguish between the elect and the reprobate, it is our duty to pray for all who trouble us, to desire the salvation of all people, and even to be concerned for the welfare of every individual.

At the same time, if our hearts are pure and peaceful, this will not prevent us from freely appealing to God’s judgment, that He may cut off the finally impenitent.