Psalms 109:18
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּלְבַּ֥שׁ
As he clothed
H3847
וַיִּלְבַּ֥שׁ
As he clothed
Strong's:
H3847
Word #:
1 of 8
properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
כְּמַ֫דּ֥וֹ
like as with his garment
H4055
כְּמַ֫דּ֥וֹ
like as with his garment
Strong's:
H4055
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, extent, i.e., height; also a measure; by implication, a vesture (as measured); also a carpet
וַתָּבֹ֣א
so let it come
H935
וַתָּבֹ֣א
so let it come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
4 of 8
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
כַמַּ֣יִם
like water
H4325
כַמַּ֣יִם
like water
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
5 of 8
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
בְּקִרְבּ֑וֹ
into his bowels
H7130
בְּקִרְבּ֑וֹ
into his bowels
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
Historical Context
Clothing metaphors appear throughout Scripture for character and calling (Job 29:14; Isa 61:10; Rom 13:14; Gal 3:27). To "clothe yourself with cursing" means making malice your public identity—the reputation you cultivate and display.
Questions for Reflection
- What are you "clothing yourself with" daily—what character traits do you put on and project to others?
- How does the progression from external (garment) to internal (bowels, bones) warn against tolerating sin?
- What does it mean for cursing (or blessing) to penetrate "like water and oil" into your very being?
Analysis & Commentary
As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment (וַיִּלְבַּשׁ קְלָלָה כְּמַדּוֹ, vayilbash kelalah kemado)—the verb לָבַשׁ (lavash, "clothe, put on") pictures cursing as a garment (מַד, mad). Cursing became his identity, what he wore publicly. So let it come into his bowels like water (וַתָּבֹא כַמַּיִם בְּקִרְבּוֹ, vattavo chamaim bekirbo)—it enters his קֶרֶב (kerev, "inward parts, bowels"), like water penetrating. And like oil into his bones (וְכַשֶּׁמֶן בְּעַצְמוֹתָיו, vechashemen be'atsmotav)—oil soaks into עֲצָמוֹת (atsamot, "bones").
The imagery intensifies: cursing moves from external garment to internal essence—saturating every fiber of being. Water and oil both penetrate thoroughly; oil especially sinks into porous bone. Numbers 5:22-27 describes similar language for the adultery curse-water entering the body. The point: the enemy so internalized cursing that it defines him inside and out. Therefore judgment penetrates equally deeply—he cannot escape what has become his very nature. This anticipates Romans 1:24-28: God "gave them up" to their own desires, which became their judgment.