Psalm 109:18
New International Version
He wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water, into his bones like oil.

New Living Translation
Cursing is as natural to him as his clothing, or the water he drinks, or the rich food he eats.

English Standard Version
He clothed himself with cursing as his coat; may it soak into his body like water, like oil into his bones!

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

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
As he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, So let it enter his body like water, And like oil into his bones.

New American Standard Bible
But he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, And it entered his body like water, And like oil into his bones.

NASB 1995
But he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, And it entered into his body like water And like oil into his bones.

NASB 1977
But he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, And it entered into his body like water, And like oil into his bones.

Legacy Standard Bible
But he clothed himself with cursing as his garment, And it came into his inward parts like water And like oil into his bones.

Amplified Bible
He clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, And it seeped into his inner self like water And like [anointing] oil into his bones.

Christian Standard Bible
He wore cursing like his coat — let it enter his body like water and go into his bones like oil.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He wore cursing like his coat— let it enter his body like water and go into his bones like oil.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
He cursed others more often than he dressed himself. Let his curses strike him deep, just as water and olive oil soak through to our bones.

English Revised Version
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. Let it be unto him as the raiment

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He wore cursing as though it were clothing, so cursing entered his body like water and his bones like oil.

Good News Translation
He cursed as naturally as he dressed himself; may his own curses soak into his body like water and into his bones like oil!

International Standard Version
He wore curses like a garment— may they enter his inner being like water and his bones like oil.

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

NET Bible
He made cursing a way of life, so curses poured into his stomach like water and seeped into his bones like oil.

New Heart English Bible
He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment. It came into his inward parts like water, like oil into his bones.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment. It came into his inward parts like water, like oil into his bones.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he puts on reviling as his robe, "" And it comes in as water into his midst, "" And as oil into his bones.

Young's Literal Translation
And he putteth on reviling as his robe, And it cometh in as water into his midst, And as oil into his bones.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will put on cursing as his garment, and it shall come into his midst as water, and as oil into his bones.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he loved cursing, and it shall come unto him: and he would not have blessing, and it shall be far from him. And he put on cursing, like a garment: and it went in like water into his entrails, and like oil in his bones.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he loved a curse, and it came to him. And he was unwilling to have a blessing, and it went far from him. And he clothed himself with curses like a garment, and it entered his inner self like water, and it entered his bones like oil.

New American Bible
May cursing clothe him like a robe; may it enter his belly like water, his bones like oil.

New Revised Standard Version
He clothed himself with cursing as his coat, may it soak into his body like water, like oil into his bones.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
They clothed themselves with cursing like armor; it penetrated into them like water, like oil into their bones.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they wore curses like a supply of arms and they entered into them like waters and like oil into their bones.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He clothed himself also with cursing as with his raiment, And it is come into his inward parts like water, And like oil into his bones.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Yea, he put on cursing as a garment, and it is come as water into his bowels, and as oil into his bones.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Song of the Slandered
17The cursing that he loved, may it fall on him; the blessing in which he refused to delight, may it be far from him. 18The cursing that he wore like a coat, may it soak into his body like water, and into his bones like oil. 19May it be like a robe wrapped about him, like a belt tied forever around him.…

Cross References
Matthew 7:2
For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Galatians 6:7
Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.

Proverbs 26:27
He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

Romans 2:6
God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”

James 2:13
For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Revelation 16:6
For they have spilled the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink, as they deserve.”

2 Thessalonians 1:6
After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you,

Colossians 3:25
Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Proverbs 11:27
He who searches out good finds favor, but evil will come to him who seeks it.

Job 4:8
As I have observed, those who plow iniquity and those who sow trouble reap the same.

Obadiah 1:15
For the Day of the LORD is near for all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your recompense will return upon your own head.

Isaiah 3:11
Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done.


Treasury of Scripture

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.

as he

Psalm 73:6
Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.

Job 29:14
I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.

Colossians 3:8,12
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth…

so let

Numbers 5:22,27
And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell, and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen…

Job 20:12-16,20-23
Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue; …

Matthew 26:24
The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

into his bowels.

Jump to Previous
Body Bones Bowels Clothed Coat Cursing Entered Garment Inward Midst Oil Parts Putteth Raiment Reviling Robe Water Wore
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Body Bones Bowels Clothed Coat Cursing Entered Garment Inward Midst Oil Parts Putteth Raiment Reviling Robe Water Wore
Psalm 109
1. David complains of his slanderous enemies
16. He shows their sin
21. Complaining of his own misery, he prays for help
29. He promises thankfulness














He wore cursing like a coat
This phrase paints a vivid picture of the pervasive nature of the wicked man's actions and intentions. The Hebrew word for "cursing" here is "קְלָלָה" (qelalah), which implies not just verbal curses but a lifestyle of invoking harm and misfortune upon others. The imagery of wearing it "like a coat" suggests that cursing was not just an occasional act but an integral part of his identity, as a coat is something one wears regularly and visibly. In the ancient Near Eastern context, clothing often symbolized one's status and character. Thus, this phrase indicates that the wicked man's life was enveloped in malice and ill will, a stark contrast to the righteousness that believers are called to wear as a garment (Isaiah 61:10).

may it enter his body like water
Water is essential for life, permeating every cell and sustaining the body. Here, the psalmist uses this metaphor to describe how the curses the wicked man utters are not just superficial but penetrate deeply into his being. The Hebrew word "מַיִם" (mayim) for "water" often symbolizes life and purity in Scripture, yet in this context, it ironically represents the destructive power of the curses that have become part of the man's very essence. This imagery suggests that the consequences of his actions are inescapable and will affect him as fundamentally as water affects the body.

and his bones like oil
Oil in the Bible is frequently associated with anointing, healing, and blessing. The Hebrew word "שֶׁמֶן" (shemen) for "oil" conveys richness and sustenance. However, in this verse, the psalmist turns this positive imagery on its head to illustrate the thoroughness with which the wicked man's curses consume him. Just as oil penetrates and nourishes the bones, so too do his malevolent words and intentions saturate his innermost being. This phrase underscores the idea that the wicked man's own curses will be his undoing, affecting him as deeply and thoroughly as oil seeps into bones, leaving no part of him untouched by the consequences of his actions.

Verse 18. - As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment (comp. Psalm 10:7; Psalm 59:12; Psalm 62:4). Extreme malevolence vents itself in curses, which tend to become frequent, and, so to speak, habitual. So let it come; rather, so it cams, or so it will come. Into his bowels like water. Dr. Kay sees here an allusion to the "water of cursing" which was drunk by the woman whose husband taxed her with unfaithfulness (Numbers 5:22); and so also Hengstenberg. But this is doubtful. Perhaps the mere penetrative power of water is alluded to. See the next clause. And like oil into his bones. The oil, wherewith it was usual to anoint the frame, was believed to penetrate, not only into the tissues, but into the very bones and marrow.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The cursing
קְלָלָ֗ה (qə·lā·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7045: Vilification

he wore
וַיִּלְבַּ֥שׁ (way·yil·baš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3847: Wrap around, to put on a, garment, clothe

like a coat,
כְּמַ֫דּ֥וֹ (kə·mad·dōw)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4055: Extent, height, a measure, a vesture, a carpet

may it soak into
וַתָּבֹ֣א (wat·tā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

his body
בְּקִרְבּ֑וֹ (bə·qir·bōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

like water,
כַמַּ֣יִם (ḵam·ma·yim)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

and into his bones
בְּעַצְמוֹתָֽיו׃ (bə·‘aṣ·mō·w·ṯāw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6106: A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame

like oil.
וְ֝כַשֶּׁ֗מֶן (wə·ḵaš·še·men)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8081: Grease, liquid, richness


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OT Poetry: Psalm 109:18 He clothed himself also with cursing as (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 109:17
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