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I love the Psalms

~ Connecting daily with God through the Psalms

I love the Psalms

Daily Archives: March 12, 2021

A Feast for the Mind, Soul, and Spirit…

12 Friday Mar 2021

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms, Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

David, David Kitz, devotional, good shepherd, Psalms, Psalms 365

The Psalms are poetic and powerful. In them, you will find intimacy with God. For a hundred generations, hungry souls have found nourishment there. Using them as a devotional will enrich your spiritual life.P 365-120120

Psalms 365 is specifically designed to help you develop a life of worship and prayer like the biblical David. Let author David Kitz take you on a journey—a journey to a deeper understanding of God’s will and his ways for your life. Each daily reading provides insight and inspiration for practical Christian living, allowing the Good Shepherd to guide you to the center of his will.

In total, this volume has 120 daily readings, spanning Psalm 1 through Psalm 51. Volumes two and three will be released as 2021 progresses. This will allow readers to journey through the entire 150 Psalms in the span of a year, hence the title Psalms 365.

Psalms 365 is written by award-winning author David Kitz, is published by Elk Lake Publishing, and is available through Amazon and other book retailers. For a closer look at this 262-page daily devotional book click here.

Cursing Found in the Bible

12 Friday Mar 2021

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 109, Psalms

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

compassion, condemnation, cursing, imprecatory psalms

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 L
ORD;
may the sin of his mother never be blotted out.
May their sins always remain before the L
ORD,
that he may blot out their name from the earth
(NIV).*

Rock 20200928_1227582_2

Rock and trees, Gatineau Park — 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?

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

The first volume of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer by award-winning author David Kitz is now available. For a closer look at this 262-page daily devotional book click here.

Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer

Psalms 365 Volume II

Psalms 365 vol 3
— Psalms 365 Volume III

Psalms

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