“taunts.” The Hebrew verb charaph (#02778 חָרַף) is in the piel aspect, thus “taunts” is a good translation. A person who oppresses the poor “taunts,” “reproaches,” “speaks against,” or “shows contempt for” (NIV) his creator, God. The mention of God as creator in this verse is to emphasize that all humans have been created by God and for one human to oppress another is to deny that fact by one’s actions, and thus taunt God. It is not wise to taunt God, on the Day of Judgment no one will be able to stand against His will and avoid the consequences of his actions in life.

The person who shows favor to the needy glorifies God by stating through his actions that no one person is better than another. Each person is created by God and loved by God and helping others in need demonstrates that fact.