He loved to curse; let curses come upon him! He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just stating a wish, but highlighting a stark reality: the enemy's deep love for cursing meant that curses became their defining characteristic, just as a lack of delight in blessing meant blessings would naturally elude them. It reveals that what we actively embrace and find joy in shapes our spiritual reality, often in a way that seems almost automatic.
He loved to curse; let curses come upon him! He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of Psalm 109, a psalm of David that cries out against his enemies who are unjustly attacking him. Following a detailed description of the enemies' malicious actions and deceit, these verses pivot to a plea for divine retribution. They present a stark contrast between the enemies' wicked desires and the righteous outcomes the psalmist prays for, setting the stage for further, even more intense imprecations in the verses that follow.
Have you ever noticed how some people seem to thrive on negativity, while others radiate peace? This verse points to a deep truth about the kind of 'food' we feed our souls.
This verse starkly contrasts a love for cursing with a rejection of blessing. It’s not just about spoken words, but about a fundamental disposition.
A Heart for Cursing
The enemy here loved to curse. This wasn't an accident or a fleeting thought; it was a delight, a chosen activity. It implies a deep-seated preference for speaking ill, wishing harm, and finding satisfaction in negativity. It’s like someone who relishes gossip or thrives on conflict.
A Rejection of Blessing
Conversely, this person had no pleasure in blessing. This means they didn't desire or promote the well-being of others. Their heart was closed off to kindness, goodwill, and the positive flow of life that blessings represent.
The Inevitable Result
The verse states the consequence directly: what you love and practice will find you. If you love cursing, curses will come upon you. If you reject blessing, blessing will be far from you. It's a powerful picture of cause and effect in the spiritual realm.
When we hear 'curse,' we often think of swear words. But this ancient text points to something much deeper – a way of life that actively opposes good.
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This verse uses 'cursing' and 'blessing' to describe deeply ingrained attitudes and actions, not just occasional outbursts.
Embracing Sinful Paths
Some commentators suggest 'cursing' here can refer to choosing 'cursed or sinful courses' – a life actively engaged in wrongdoing. It’s not just speaking curses, but living a life that is cursed by its very nature.
The Enemy's Cloak
Imagine someone who clothed themselves in curses, as described in verse 18. This implies that cursing was their identity, their constant covering, the very fabric of their being. It permeated everything they did, like water filling their insides and oil soaking into their bones – inescapable and thorough.
Active Opposition to Welfare
'Delighting not in blessing' means actively not wanting good for others. It’s a hostile stance towards prosperity, peace, and well-being for anyone, especially for those they oppose (like the Psalmist). This animosity is the opposite of what blessing represents.
Understand the original words
qelalah · Hebrew Noun
To invoke divine judgment, calamity, or evil upon someone. It is the opposite of a blessing and is often associated with the consequences of breaking God's law or hardened rebellion against Him.
berakah · Hebrew Noun
To invoke God’s favor, empowerment, or presence upon someone. It signifies the bestowal of spiritual or physical well-being and is central to the covenant relationship between God and His people.
This proverb highlights the stark contrast between righteousness and sin, showing how righteousness exalts a nation, while sin is a disgrace. It echoes the Psalm's sentiment that a life of wickedness, characterized by cursing and a rejection of blessing, leads to ruin.
Matthew 5:44-45Jesus teaches His followers to bless those who curse them and pray for those who persecute them, directly opposing the destructive pattern described in Psalms 109:17. This shows the radical difference in the Kingdom of God compared to the ways of the world.
Romans 12:14Paul instructs believers to 'bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.' This is a direct New Testament command to counteract the very attitude of delighting in curses that the Psalmist laments in his enemy.
Galatians 3:10This verse powerfully states that all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, directly referencing Deuteronomy's pronouncement. It underscores the reality of curses in Scripture and the consequence of falling short of God's standard, providing a backdrop for understanding the gravity of the imprecation in the Psalm.
James 3:9-10James addresses the unruly nature of the tongue, noting that it can bless God and curse people, even though they came from the same mouth. This passage directly confronts the hypocrisy and destructive power of a life that mixes blessing and cursing, mirroring the character of the enemy described in Psalms 109.
pulpitPsalms 109:17: "As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him."
Verse 17. - As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him; rather, so it came upon him (Revised Version), or so it shall come upon him (LXX., Cheyne). The one of David's enemies who "loved cursing" most was Shimei (2 Samuel 16:5-12). As he de lighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him; rather, so it was, or so it will be, far from him.
clarkePsalms 109:17: "As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him."
As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him - The Jews said, when crucifying our Lord, His blood be upon us and our children! Never was an imprecation more dreadfully fulfilled.
This verse isn't just stating a wish, but highlighting a stark reality: the enemy's deep love for cursing meant that curses became their defining characteristic, just as a lack of delight in blessing meant blessings would naturally elude them. It reveals that what we actively embrace and find joy in shapes our spiritual reality, often in a way that seems almost automatic.
This passage is part of Psalm 109, a psalm of David that cries out against his enemies who are unjustly attacking him. Following a detailed description of the enemies' malicious actions and deceit, these verses pivot to a plea for divine retribution. They present a stark contrast between the enemies' wicked desires and the righteous outcomes the psalmist prays for, setting the stage for further, even more intense imprecations in the verses that follow.
This passage is part of Psalm 109, a psalm of David that cries out against his enemies who are unjustly attacking him. Following a detailed description of the enemies' malicious actions and deceit, these verses pivot to a plea for divine retribution. They present a stark contrast between the enemies' wicked desires and the righteous outcomes the psalmist prays for, setting the stage for further, even more intense imprecations in the verses that follow.
"He loved to curse; let curses come upon him! He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him!" — This verse isn't just stating a wish, but highlighting a stark reality: the enemy's deep love for cursing meant that curses became their defining characteristic, just as a lack of delight in blessing…
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Last reviewed October 2026