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Reading: Psalm 109
(Verses 6-15)
Appoint someone evil to oppose my enemy;
let an accuser stand at his right hand.
When he is tried, let him be found guilty,
and may his prayers condemn him.
May his days be few;
may another take his place of leadership.
May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.
May his children be wandering beggars;
may they be driven from their ruined homes.
May a creditor seize all he has;
may strangers plunder the fruits of his labor.
May no one extend kindness to him
or take pity on his fatherless children.
May his descendants be cut off,
their names blotted out from the next generation.
May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD;
may the sin of his mother never be blotted out.
May their sins always remain before the LORD,
that he may blot out their name from the earth (NIV).
The view from the Champlain lookout — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
This portion of Psalm 109 contains fourteen mays of condemnation. After reading this long list of curses spoken against this unnamed individual, it becomes abundantly clear that David, the author of this psalm, was not affectionately inclined toward this man of treachery. This man, who earlier was identified as a friend, had turned against David. In the verse just prior to today’s reading, David laments, “They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship” (Psalm 109:5).
Psalm 109 is called an imprecatory psalm. The word imprecatory simply is a fancy term for cursing. I am sure many Christians are unaware that there is cursing in the Bible—cursing coming from the man who penned Psalm 23—the LORD is my shepherd.
Many find the imprecatory psalms deeply troubling. I include myself in that number. Does God condone calling down curses on our enemies? What about the words of Jesus? “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” (Matthew 5:43-46).
I remain convinced that Jesus calls us to live on a higher plane—the plane where he dwells.
Response: Father God, I need your help. I find it easy to lash out at those who have hurt me. When I want to go for the jugular help me reach out for the wisdom and compassion of Jesus instead. I want to be more like you, Jesus. Amen.
Your Turn: Is there a place for the imprecatory psalms in the Bible? What purpose might they serve?
Happy Thanksgiving Day to all my Canadian readers!
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
(Psalm 107:1, NIV)
I agree that Jesus calls us to live on a higher plane. We live in an age of mercy. Yet the New Testament Scriptures are clear that the same Jesus who calls us to love our enemies is coming as a judge. If he imprecatory psalms serve a purpose it is this – to point us to the perhaps uncomfortable, but undeniably Scriptural truth that Jesus is coming not only to save the repentant but to judge the unrepentant. We are to walk in mercy in this age, and pray for our enemies, but the reality of judgement is not something that we can cut out of the Scriptures. Those who delight in wickedness and do not repent will be judged.
I fully agree. I think one of the thoughts we need to hold onto is “Judgment belongs to the LORD. Vengeance is mine says the Lord.”
I agree
Thanks for these provocative thoughts, David. There are numerous things said by King David which were human to the hilt … although they are recorded in Scripture for a reason [some of which only made sense after the Messiah came into the world], others simply revealed the clear contrast between God’s holiness and our depravity. IF (emphasis intended) God was speaking through David – as He often did through His prophets – then I personally want to be careful to keep from diminishing His word (even if it might imprecating). I sense that God has largely been restraining His righteous indignation during this time of Christ’s grace and mercy, but that does not mean He has retired from His sovereign, holy reign. However, it is good that – if He wants to imprecate through one of His servants – it will be inspired by the Holy Spirit, not by those of us whose perspective is so world-bound.
I think caution is needed when take on the role of cursing others for their actions. Our words and emotions may be fully justified and they may need some form of expression, but above all we need to bring these points of injustice before God and let Him be the final judge and arbiter.
If the Bible is anything, it is REAL and HONEST. I see these types of Psalms as David’s way of working through the stuff he knows isn’t God’s heart. Music was his way of working it out. David is both real and honest–and he writes a song to God telling God how he feels–for he knows that God will change how he feels. IMHO
There is the ring of truth in what you are saying, Pastor Randy. It’s far better to express our anger and frustration through prayer and song before God than to bottle it up, or pretend it’s not there.