Psalms 109:11
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Let the extortionist catch all that he has; and let the strangers spoil his labor.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Let the extortionist catch all that he has; and let the strangers spoil his labor.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; And let strangers make spoil of his labor.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Let his creditor take all his goods; and let others have the profit of his work.
Webster's Revision
Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let strangers spoil his labor.
World English Bible
Let the creditor seize all that he has. Let strangers plunder the fruit of his labor.
English Revised Version (ERV)
Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let strangers make spoil of his labour.
Definitions for Psalms 109:11
Clarke's Psalms 109:11 Bible Commentary
Let the strangers spoil his labor - Many of these execrations were literally fulfilled in the case of the miserable Jews, after the death of our Lord. They were not only expelled from their own country, after the destruction of Jerusalem, but they were prohibited from returning; and so taxed by the Roman government, that they were reduced to the lowest degree of poverty. Domitian expelled them from Rome; and they were obliged to take up their habitation without the gate Capena, in a wood contiguous to the city, for which they were obliged to pay a rent, and where the whole of their property was only a basket and a little hay. See Juvenal, Sat. ver. 11: -
Substitit ad veteres arcus, madidamque Capenam:
Hic ubi nocturne Numa constituebat amicae,
Nunc sacri fontis nemus, et delubra locantur
Judaes: quorum cophinus, foenumque supellex:
Omnis enim populo mercedem pendere jussa est
Arbor, et ejectis mendicat silva Camoenis.
He stopped a little at the conduit gate,
Where Numa modelled once the Roman state;
In nightly councils with his nymph retired:
Though now the sacred shades and founts are hired
By banished Jews, who their whole wealth can lay
In a small basket, on a wisp of hay.
Yet such our avarice is, that every tree
continued...
Barnes's Psalms 109:11 Bible Commentary
Let the extortioner catch all that he hath - literally, "Let the extortioner cast a snare over all that he hath;" that is, let him seize all his property. The word rendered "catch" - נקשׁ nâqash - is a word which means to lay a snare, as for birds and wild animals, and hence, it means to ensnare, to entrap, to catch. The word rendered "extortioner" means literally one who lends or borrows money; a money-loaner; in our times, a "broker." Here it refers to one who loaned money on interest; or who took advantage of the necessities of others to lend money at high rates - thus sooner or later seizing upon and securing the property of another. The prayer here is, that he might be in such circumstances as to make it necessary to fall into the hands of those who would thus come into possession of all his property.
And let the strangers spoil his labor - Let strangers "plunder" his labor; that is, the fruit of his labor. Let them seize and possess what he has earned and gained to enjoy it themselves. The remarks made on Psalm 109:10, will apply to this verse and the following.
Wesley's Psalms 109:11 Bible Commentary
109:11 Catch - Heb. ensnare, take away not only by oppression but also by cunning artificers. Stranger - Who hath no right to his goods.