Reading the Psalms for Blessing or Curse?

Many Christians struggle with the question of whether it is wrong for them to read psalms like Psalm 109, 35, and 37 when enemies have done wickedness to them. These Psalms are known as imprecatory Psalms, which are prayers that invoke God's judgment or curse upon one's enemies. They contain strong expressions of anger, hatred, and vengeance, such as:

 

"Let his days be few; and let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow. Let his children be continually vagabonds and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places." (Psalm 109:8-10)

 

"Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them." (Psalm 35:4-5)

 

"For I have seen the wicked in great power and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found." (Psalm 37:35-36)

 

Some people may think that reading these psalms is wrong because they contradict the teachings of Jesus, who said:

 

"But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" (Matthew 5:44)

 

Others may think that reading these psalms is right because they reflect the feelings of the psalmists, who were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and who trusted in God's justice and sovereignty. They may also argue that these Psalms are not expressions of personal revenge but of God's righteous wrath against the wicked.

 

So, how should we approach these Psalms? Here are some points to consider:

 

- We should acknowledge that these psalms are part of God's inspired word and that they reveal something about God's character and will. They show us that God hates sin and injustice and that He will judge the wicked in His own time and way. They also show us that God cares for His people and that He hears their cries and delivers them from their troubles.

- We should recognize that these psalms are not meant to be taken literally or applied indiscriminately. They are poetic expressions of the Psalmists' emotions and desires, not commands or prescriptions for us. They are also context-specific, reflecting the historical and cultural situations of the Psalmists, who lived under a different covenant and dispensation than we do. We should not use these psalms to justify our own hatred or violence against our enemies or to wish harm upon anyone.

- We should read these psalms in light of the whole counsel of God's word, especially the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. We should remember that Jesus fulfilled the law and the prophets and that He brought a new commandment of love and forgiveness. We should also remember that Jesus Himself prayed for His enemies on the cross, saying:

 

"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

 

We should follow His example and pray for our enemies' repentance and salvation, not their destruction. We should also remember that Paul taught us to:

 

"Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not." (Romans 12:14)

 

We should overcome evil with good, not with evil.

- We should use these Psalms as a means of expressing our honest feelings to God, and of seeking His comfort and guidance. We should not suppress or deny our anger or pain when we are wronged by others, but we should bring them to God in prayer. We should also ask God to search our hearts and to purify our motives. We should ask Him to help us forgive our enemies as He has forgiven us. We should also ask Him to help us trust in His justice and mercy and to wait for His perfect timing.

 

In conclusion, reading these Psalms is not wrong in itself, but it depends on how we read them and what we do with them. We should read them with reverence, wisdom, humility, and love. We should read them as a way of drawing closer to God, not as a way of distancing ourselves from others.