Psalms 109:11
Let the extortioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour.
Original Language Analysis
נ֭וֹשֶׁה
Let the extortioner
H5383
נ֭וֹשֶׁה
Let the extortioner
Strong's:
H5383
Word #:
2 of 8
to lend or (by reciprocity) borrow on security or interest
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 8
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
In ancient agrarian economies, debt-seizure was catastrophic and regulated by Torah (Deut 15:1-11, Jubilee provisions). Unscrupulous creditors could reduce families to slavery. David himself showed extraordinary mercy to debtors (the 400 gathered at Adullam, 1 Sam 22:2); his enemies showed none.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the principle of "strangers spoiling your labor" connect to spiritual fruitlessness when we oppose God's purposes?
- What does this curse teach about earthly security apart from covenant faithfulness?
- How should awareness of financial/material vulnerability drive us to mercy and justice in our dealings?
Analysis & Commentary
Let the extortioner catch all that he hath (יְנַקֵּשׁ נוֹשֶׁה לְכָל־אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ, yenakesh noseh lechol-asher-lo)—the verb נָקַשׁ (nakash) means "ensnare, lay snares," used of hunters trapping prey. The noun נוֹשֶׁה (noseh) is a creditor or extortioner. The imagery depicts creditors seizing every asset, reducing the enemy to absolute poverty. And let the strangers spoil his labour (וְיָבֹזּוּ זָרִים יְגִיעוֹ, veyavozu zarim yegio)—זָרִים (zarim, "strangers, foreigners") plunder יְגִיעַ (yegia, "the fruit of toil").
This fulfills the covenant curse of Deuteronomy 28:33: "The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up." David prays for measure-for-measure justice: those who sought to plunder his kingdom through treachery will themselves be plundered. The involvement of "strangers" adds humiliation—in honor-shame culture, losing inheritance to foreigners was ultimate disgrace. Lamentations 5:2 mourns this: "Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens."