RPG Adults
AN IMPRECATORY PSALM
FRIDAY, MAY 3
Psalm 109:1-31
Colossians 3:23-25
We are on the Lord’s side.
AN IMPRECATORY PSALM
To imprecate means to curse. And it is from the mouth of King David. Dispensational theologians like Scofield teach that such a Psalm is for the Hebrews of Old Testament times when they can hate their enemies and not for Christians today who are taught in the Sermon on the Mount (in the New Testament) to love their enemies. This is a mistaken idea as if God can contradict Himself. The Old Testament also teaches love for our enemies. Exodus 23:4-5 says, “If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.” The love of enemy in the Old Testament extends even to the animals!
Where the Dispensational teachers have erred is they do not know that Jesus is talking of private enemies in the New Testament. “Vengeance is Mine.” We should leave the matter to God.
In this Psalm 109, David is talking of an enemy intent on destroying him when he is doing the Lord’s work. Such an enemy is not only against a person but also against the Lord whom he represents. Therefore such an imprecatory Psalm is right. It can be used whether you are a Hebrew or a Christian. Proof: “Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain. Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies” (Ps 139:19-22).
Let us not mix private and public justice. A murderer is righteously punished with death under public justice. If someone hates you, one to one, you, whether Hebrew or Christian, are exhorted to forgive and let God judge between you and him. In David’s case, it is right for him to hate those who hate God. Amen.
THOUGHT: (Read Psalm 139:21.)
PRAYER: (Use Psalm 139:23-24.)