populations that would have commonly practiced the cursing of the LORD

Blasphemy is ridiculously common in Italy. While the most religious people frown upon that, there are people who call God names or curse saints about every other sentence, and lots of people find it hilarious to listen at them. Some people have even become minor celebrities because of that. (On the other hand, you don't usually hear that in television -- and a couple contestants in reality shows have been banned for that, and it used to be illegal until a couple decades ago.)