Psalms 109:18

16 For he never thought to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and brokenhearted, even to their death.

17 The cursing that he loved, may it fall on him; the blessing in which he refused to delight, may it be far from him.

The cursing that he wore like a coat, may it soak into his body like water, and into his bones like oil.

19 May it be like a robe wrapped about him, like a belt tied forever around him.

20 May this be the LORD’s reward to my accusers, to those who speak evil against me.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
The cursing that he wore like a coat, may it soak into his body like water, and into his bones like oil.
KJV
As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones.
WEB
He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment. It came into his inward parts like water, like oil into his bones.
ASV
He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment, And it came into his inward parts like water, And like oil into his bones.
DARBY
And he clothed himself with cursing like his vestment; so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones;
BLB
And he clothed himself with cursing as his garment, and it came in like the water within him, and like the oil into his bones!
ÅB
han kledde seg i forbannelse som sin kledning, og den trengte som vann inn i hans liv og som olje i hans ben.
OTB
Han bar også forbannelse som et plagg,
Og det trengte inn i hans kropp som vann,
Og som olje inn i hans ben.
B1930
han klædde sig i forbannelse som sin klædning, og den trengte som vann inn i hans liv og som olje i hans ben.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Psalms 73:6

    Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them.

    Read in context
  • Numbers 5:22

    May this water that brings a curse enter your stomach and cause your belly to swell and your thigh to shrivel.’ Then the woman is to say, ‘Amen, Amen.’

    Read in context
  • Colossians 3:12

    Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 27:3–5

    When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders.

    Read in context
  • 1 Peter 5:5

    Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

    Read in context
  • Job 20:12–16

    Though evil is sweet in his mouth and he conceals it under his tongue,

    Read in context
  • Job 29:14

    I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and my turban.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 26:24

    The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed. It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

    Read in context