May 26 - Psalms 34-36
These three psalms contain another theme often seen in the book of Psalms. Some people refer to this as imprecatory prayers. David prays for God to punish the wicked, and many times it is a personal prayer for God to punish those who are persecuting him. When we read these requests, it seems odd because Jesus told us to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us, and to bless those who curse us. These imprecatory prayers seem to contradict what Jesus said, so is there a contradiction in the Bible? I don't think so.
Look at Psalm 34:21. I believe that this verse is a spiritual principle, which David understood, and God inspired him to write down for us. It says, "Evil shall slay the wicked." In other words, sin will destroy a person. "The wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23) This principle tells us that because God hates sin, He punishes those who sin to deter them from sin and to turn them to Him. Sometimes His punishment is for their own schemes to turn on them or for them to be trapped in their own traps. The second part of verse 21 says, "And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned." Some people embrace sin so much that they hate the righteous people. The principle here is that God defends the righteous. He knows that the wicked people are not just fighting against the righteous, but against Him. Remember, Saul on the road to Damascus, "Saul, Saul why are you persecuting Me?"
Therefore, when David prays an imprecatory prayer like he does in these psalms, he is not praying with hatred in his heart for the wicked, but he is praying for God to act according to these principles so the righteous will be defended and the wicked would be punished for their sins. He is praying for God to do it soon, so he will benefit. However, sometimes God does not carry out His judgment on the wicked when we want. He does it in His timing. When He delays, we wonder if God is forsaking His own spiritual principles, especially when we see the righteous being hurt by the wicked. It is at this point that we must trust that God knows just how to punish the wicked and defend the righteous. We must cry out to the Lord as David did, and know that God will always do the right thing.
I believe that it is better for us to pray for God to bless our enemies as Jesus said, because if they will see the goodness of God and turn to Him we will not have an enemy any more. However, sometimes when life is intense, and we are under great attack, we cry out to God for justice. At those times our prayers may resemble those of David, because of our pain. Jesus understands, because He knows just what we are going through.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 37-39.
Look at Psalm 34:21. I believe that this verse is a spiritual principle, which David understood, and God inspired him to write down for us. It says, "Evil shall slay the wicked." In other words, sin will destroy a person. "The wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23) This principle tells us that because God hates sin, He punishes those who sin to deter them from sin and to turn them to Him. Sometimes His punishment is for their own schemes to turn on them or for them to be trapped in their own traps. The second part of verse 21 says, "And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned." Some people embrace sin so much that they hate the righteous people. The principle here is that God defends the righteous. He knows that the wicked people are not just fighting against the righteous, but against Him. Remember, Saul on the road to Damascus, "Saul, Saul why are you persecuting Me?"
Therefore, when David prays an imprecatory prayer like he does in these psalms, he is not praying with hatred in his heart for the wicked, but he is praying for God to act according to these principles so the righteous will be defended and the wicked would be punished for their sins. He is praying for God to do it soon, so he will benefit. However, sometimes God does not carry out His judgment on the wicked when we want. He does it in His timing. When He delays, we wonder if God is forsaking His own spiritual principles, especially when we see the righteous being hurt by the wicked. It is at this point that we must trust that God knows just how to punish the wicked and defend the righteous. We must cry out to the Lord as David did, and know that God will always do the right thing.
I believe that it is better for us to pray for God to bless our enemies as Jesus said, because if they will see the goodness of God and turn to Him we will not have an enemy any more. However, sometimes when life is intense, and we are under great attack, we cry out to God for justice. At those times our prayers may resemble those of David, because of our pain. Jesus understands, because He knows just what we are going through.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 37-39.