Psalms | The Imprecatory Psalms Explained

What are the imprecatory Psalms? How should Christians think about and respond to imprecatory Psalms? Do the imprecatory Psalms reflect the character of God? Can Christians today pray in an imprecatory manner?

As believers, we should seek the will of God in everything we do. When we are wronged, we seek the Lord, we pray and we ask, yet we want to leave the ultimate outcome to our Lord. Clear teaching from God's Word will help us as believers work through the tension of desiring God’s wrath to be poured out, while also desiring for the salvation of the lost. Sermons, by Dr. Caldwell, that will help to this end can be listened to from the following links:

Description:
This week on the Straight Truth Podcast, Dr. Richard Caldwell and host Dr. Josh Philpot discuss and explain imprecation in the Psalms. Imprecatory Psalms are those in which the psalmist calls down or prays for curses, calamity, destruction, justice, and judgment on his enemies by God. These types of psalms are scattered throughout the Psalter.

Dr. Caldwell says, even though there is this type of category of Psalms, we should not lump them all together. He believes that we need to take each one of them on their own and study them to see what is going on in that particular Psalm. But speaking in general terms, what often is taking place, is someone acting in a representative role. They are not always individualistic in their complaint and calling out to God. Many times there's a collective complaint expressed within the same Psalm. Psalm 109 provides an example of this where King David expands out the application beyond himself and includes the needy in general. David's prayer is a deep yearning for God to help, but not only for himself. David asks that God would help His people, who also have experienced oppression and persecution. David recognizes God as the source of their deliverance, protection, and righteous judgment.

Dr. Caldwell also believes these Psalms accomplish our informing of the real hatred that God has for sin. In this way, these Psalms do reflect the character of God because God hates sin. The authors of these Psalms reveal their understanding of the justice of God, His sovereignty, and His judgments. They understand and recognize that vengeance and recompense belong to God (Deuteronomy 32:35). There is a kind of hatred that God knows for sinners, a certain kind of anger that God knows toward those who commit sins. There is a vengeance that God has for sin and sinners. This vengeance is coming in its final form upon this lost and dying world when Christ returns. Many of these Psalms may be foreshadowing the final judgment. The only rescue from God, His judgment, and vengeance is in Christ. God has mercifully provided through Christ the way to have sins atoned for, answered, and forgiven. These Psalms are very reflective of this in the asking to be rescued, delivered, defended, vindicated, etc. The harsh words used by the psalmists reflect an awareness of God’s righteous justice and His hatred of sin. They see the evildoers, not just as their enemies, but as enemies of God, they, therefore, seek for God’s name to be vindicated. They give voice to the character of God and to the individual reliance upon the faithfulness of God to be the sole defender and rescuer.

Dr. Philpot mentions that many of us not only read the Psalms but sing them as well. There have been several songs written based on particular Psalms. Besides this, we are also taught that we can pray the Psalms. So personally and practically, is there a biblical warrant for Christians to pray in this imprecatory manner?

Dr. Caldwell says there can be. He tells us another thing the Psalms help us to remember is the biblical ability to hold in tension all that the Bible teaches us. The Psalmists were not crying out to God in a matter of vindictiveness, nor seeking personal revenge. So then, in our situations, circumstances, or incidents of wrongs or injustice, we need to be able to say, 'this is deserving of the judgment of God', and in some sense long for that judgment. But we must also be desiring the salvation of our enemies. New Testament examples abound in the call to bless those who curse you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

[LeaningonJesuswithNanceBiswas]

Amen! That's also my desire that God will deal with those that hurt me without cause until they repent and know God. Thank God for this channel.

[anadevera]

I pray that the Lord continues to grant you revelation and wisdom of his word. Thank the Lord I came across this channel. It’s well spoken and in order.

[Yayock]

Sir, respectfully I find your answer contradictory. As humans we can, and do have those contradictory feelings; of wanting vengeance here on earth for our enemies, and praying for them at the same time. Christ taught us to love and pray for our enemies. Honestly, I sometimes also wish harm to those that perpetrate evil against me but from my understanding, praying like Psalm 109 is not what Christ wants his followers to do. Before He came maybe but not since He came. Thank you.

[jeffrendell]

if you cant explain it to a 5 year old...

[STEVEinNC]

In John 17 Jesus said He was not praying for the world but only for those given to Him by the Father. They are the children OF God, born from above, who God predestined in love before the foundation of the world. The rest are children of the devil. Jesus promised He will not lose one of all that the Father has given to Him. We can pray imprecatory prayers against all children OF Satan, who are by nature children of wrath and who by nature hate God and His children.

[Jobaum]

Does God hate slavery and those who have/had slaves?

[sandrazawada]

The answer is not Christ, the answer and always has been is Yahweh our Savior, Redeemer himself. The Messiah is not God. The Messiah is anointed to do a certain job but he is not God. and Jesus is not the Messiah according to the Hebrew Scriptures!