Psalms 109:11-20

Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour.

-God's visitation on the wicked man's property (Psalms 109:11); on his name and memorial (Psalms 109:13). The inspired prophetic prayer rests on the principle that divine justice is an all-consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29), which does not rest until it has utterly extirpated the hardened transgressor.

Verse 11. And let the stranger spoil his labour - the fruit of "his labour:" instead of his own family and kindred enjoying it.

Verse 12. Let there be none to extend mercy unto him - as a creditor does to a debtor; or an almsgiver does to the poor (Psalms 37:21). "Extend," - i:e., 'continue;' "draw out at full length" (Psalms 36:10; Psalms 85:5).

Verse 13. Let his posterity be cut off. Hengstenberg translates, 'let his futurity be cut off.' So Psalms 37:38, "the end of the wicked shall be cut off." The Hebrew [ 'achªriyt (H319)] is the same as here: see note there. His futurity or last end - i:e., all that is left of him-will include any surviving posterity.

And in the generation following - after it has existed in the first generation amidst starvation and desolation my soul - i:e., of them that falsely accuse me, to take away my life (Psalms 109:16; Psalms 109:31). On "mine adversaries," cf. Psalms 109:4. This is the concluding summary of the strophe (cf. Isaiah 17:14; Isaiah 54:17).