Psalm

Today’s culture is one where people like to do as little work as possible. Even when it comes to reading our own scripture, The Holy Words of God, a lot of people like to look up one verse and reference it to something without knowing what the rest of the passage says. Psalms 109 is no exception, it is one the more widely misused passages as of late. A popular verse from Psalms 109 is verse 8 which reads “Let his days be few; and let another take his office”, this is seen in reference to our current president, but what people fail to realize is what else David is actually praying. This paper is going to go through Psalms 109 and unpack it verse by verse to show the true meaning of what David was praying and to give us a new look at how to pray.

Psalm 109 begins with a superscription that we have seen several times before, “A Psalm of David” (Bible 873). David is believed to be the author of this Psalm. Psalms 109 though is not a usual Psalm by David; this particular Psalm is classified as an Imprecatory Psalm or a Cursing Psalm. The idea of Imprecatory Psalms is very unsettling for people and the church. This though goes with a misunderstanding of what is involved in actually making an imprecatory prayer.

In the introductory section, consisting of verses 1-5, David makes two claims: “(1) his innocence and (2) the sins of his enemies” (Spurgeon 28). When you read a Psalm by David, God is usually the subject of Praise and thanksgiving, but that is not the case here, God is instead the one who is being petitioned to do something. The plea that David makes for God to not remain silent in verse 1b is a cry for help. The basis for David’s petition is then given in verses 2-5:

2: For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth o...

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...scue of David will result in praise by David. In verses 30 and 31 we see David’s vow of praise. David says that he will praise God for His deliverance in the midst of the all of his trials and enemies (Bible v. 30, 874). The basis for this praise is David’s experience of seeing God stand at his right hand to defend him. David knows that the accusers will finally be silenced when God reveals Himself as his helper and defender.

In conclusion, in order to have a proper and healthy relationship with God, one will need to occasionally pray an imprecatory pray. To pray a prayer of imprecation is not wrong, you just need to be sure that your heart is right with God. Finally one must be sure to always leave it in God’s hands and to never take revenge yourself. God wants us to take everything to him good and bad, we are his children and he will take care of us.