Psalm 35, 69, 83, 88, 109, 137, 140

Introduction:

1. The imprecatory psalms are a source of confusion among believers and consternation among opponents of God and the Bible.

2. To claim these Psalms are not difficult for us would indicate either naivety or callousness, but neither is necessary to defend their place.

3. We will see that crying out for judgment on the wicked is not incongruent with the ethic of peace and mercy Jesus taught.

Discussion:

I. A Few Samples of Imprecation

A. Psalm 58:6-10 drips with indignation at the wicked and concludes with the righteous rejoicing at His vengeance.

B. Psalm 59:12-13 calls for God to consume David’s enemies.

C. Psalm 109:6-20 invokes 20+ curses on David’s false accusers.

D. None is as shocking Psalm 137:9; “Happy the one who takes and dashes your little ones against the rock!”

II. The Complaint

A. These samples, and at least 40 more imprecations in the Psalms, are said to contradict Jesus’ ethic of loving enemies.

B. Some argue these Psalms are proof of the human origin of the Bible while others argue they do not belong in the Bible.

C. In essence, these critics have pitted the OT against the NT.

D. A holistic view of these Psalms proves no incongruence exists.

III. Their Substance and Tone

A. Overall, these cry out for justice on evil doers.

B. Consider the character of the objects of scorn in these Psalms:

1. Psalm 58: workers of wickedness, violent, liars, poisonous

2. Psalm 59: enemies who rose up against David, workers of iniquity, bloodthirsty men, lying in wait for his life,

3. Psalm 109: spoken lies and words of hatred against David, fought him without cause, returned evil for good and hatred for the love he showed them

4. Psalm 137: those who killed their loved ones and took them captive wanted them to sing for them, clearly mocking them.

C. With God’s throne founded on righteousness and justice, it should shock no one that God’s people desire justice.

D. What about the apparent clash with Christ’s ethic of peace?

1. These Psalms appear frequently in the NT (cf. Psalms 6:8 in Matthew 7:23; 69:25; 109:8 in Acts 1:20; Psalm 79:6 in 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Psalms 69:22ff in Romans 11:9ff).

2. Calls for vindication litter the NT (Matthew 23:13-15, 31-36; Mark 12:9; Luke 18:7ff. Acts 8:20; 2 Timothy 4:14; Revelation 6:10).

3. But, both covenants prefer repentance over punishment (Ezekiel 18:23, 32; 33:11; 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).

E. What about dashing babies against stones in Psalm 137:9?

1. First, the principle of sowing and reaping is on display (Hosea 8:7; Galatians 6:7; Isaiah 13; Jeremiah 51:49-56; Habakkuk 2).

2. Second, could it be the bursting forth of a heart so tortured by the heinous acts of its oppressors?

3. Third, describing the sentiments of the conquerors of Babylon is not the same as condoning their actions.

4. Fourth, hyperbole is a common feature of Hebrew poetry.

Conclusion: Leaving It in God’s Hands

1. In every one of these, the Psalmist leaves vengeance to the Lord where it belongs (cf. Deuteronomy 32:35, 43; Romans 12:19; 13:4).

2. God gave humanity a way out of judgment in Christ, but those who refuse will be met with His just judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

3. Just as God is just and right to punish the wicked who refuse to repent, so His people are right to cry out for said justice.