Those who prefer cursing over blessing will sadly reap the destructive consequences of their words and deeds.
“He also loved cursing, so it came to him; And he did not delight in blessing, so it was far from him.” (v.17) paints a sobering picture of someone who reaps the consequences of their destructive words. To “love cursing” is to embrace hostility toward others, desiring or declaring ill will. One resource explains that cursing was originally understood as wishing condemnation upon another, which starkly contrasts God’s desire for His people to bless and not to curse. Here, the psalmist laments how those who refuse to “delight in blessing” end up deprived of its richness, emphasizing that moral orientation toward blessing or cursing shapes our outcomes.
This verse reflects a broader biblical principle that the attitude of our hearts dramatically influences the fruit our lives bear (Proverbs 18:21). By clinging to cursing, the wrongdoer invites the destructive consequences of their words and actions back onto themselves. Jesus taught His followers to bless rather than curse (Romans 12:14), modeling how God’s kingdom promotes mercy and compassion over animosity. Psalm 109:17 warns us that those who fixate on destruction, rather than God’s goodness, will inherit the very harm and separation they wish upon others.
In the grand narrative of Scripture, God continually offers the path of blessing, showing that the power of words can either uplift or tear down (James 3:9-10). Here, the psalmist underscores that neglecting to seek or extend blessing leads only to isolation and personal loss. By turning away from such cursing and aligning ourselves with the goodness of God, we participate in His redemptive presence and find life rather than calamity.
Set to dark mode
Psalms 109:17 meaning
“He also loved cursing, so it came to him; And he did not delight in blessing, so it was far from him.” (v.17) paints a sobering picture of someone who reaps the consequences of their destructive words. To “love cursing” is to embrace hostility toward others, desiring or declaring ill will. One resource explains that cursing was originally understood as wishing condemnation upon another, which starkly contrasts God’s desire for His people to bless and not to curse. Here, the psalmist laments how those who refuse to “delight in blessing” end up deprived of its richness, emphasizing that moral orientation toward blessing or cursing shapes our outcomes.
This verse reflects a broader biblical principle that the attitude of our hearts dramatically influences the fruit our lives bear (Proverbs 18:21). By clinging to cursing, the wrongdoer invites the destructive consequences of their words and actions back onto themselves. Jesus taught His followers to bless rather than curse (Romans 12:14), modeling how God’s kingdom promotes mercy and compassion over animosity. Psalm 109:17 warns us that those who fixate on destruction, rather than God’s goodness, will inherit the very harm and separation they wish upon others.
In the grand narrative of Scripture, God continually offers the path of blessing, showing that the power of words can either uplift or tear down (James 3:9-10). Here, the psalmist underscores that neglecting to seek or extend blessing leads only to isolation and personal loss. By turning away from such cursing and aligning ourselves with the goodness of God, we participate in His redemptive presence and find life rather than calamity.