Praying the Psalms When Seriously Wronged
Some Christians struggle with the question of whether it is wrong for people to read Psalms like Psalm 109, 35, and 37 when people have done wickedness to them. These are called imprecatory Psalms and are prayers to invoke God’s judgment or curse upon one’s enemies. When someone has been deeply hurt by another person or great harm has been done to them through the evil actions of another person, they sometimes think that this is the only way for them to get justice for the wrongs done to them. Prayer becomes their only weapon and consolation. They may not even have words to express their feelings, so these Psalms become a relief and a way of doing so.
This practice is often passed down from older to younger persons and also in families. Sometimes a friend or acquaintance will advise someone to take that action after learning of what was done to them. The deep hurt and helplessness experienced by the Psalmists, and we assume by those who pray these Psalms, are evident in the words of anguish expressed such as:
“Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help.” (Psalm 35:1-2)
“False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth” (Psalm 35:11-13)
“But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth. Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, …” (Psalm 35:15-17).
“For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They compassed me about also with words of hatred; and fought against me without a cause. For my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer.” (Psalm 109:2-4)
Usually, people who pray those Psalms do not want to engage in evil acts similar to those of their enemies because they do not have the characteristics or mind to do so. They also recognize that there will be negative consequences for such actions even if the person had wronged them first. They believe that sincerely praying these Psalms to God is the only way for them to seek retribution for their enemies as God is just and will only act upon their request if the person is guilty and deserves the actions requested. It may also give them some sort of closure as they place the matter before God.
People also believe that since these Psalms are in the scriptures and many of them were written by David who was described in 1 Samuel 13:14 as, “a man after God’s own heart”, there can be nothing wrong with praying them. Many have said that praying these Psalms makes them feel better and they will also tell you that they work.
Psalm 37:7-8, clearly shows that the Psalmist did not think that praying to God for help and justice against his enemies was wrong. He stated, “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.”
The imprecatory Psalms contain strong expressions of anger, hatred, and requests for vengeance against one’s enemies, 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)
While some persons say it is not Christian and wrong to pray these Psalms requesting that God exact strong judgment upon one’s enemies, they should also serve as a caution to people who hurt others through their evil actions. They should think about the effect of their actions on another person’s life and how they would view such actions if someone else were to do similar things to them. Many times, the motives for doing wickedness to another person stem from envy or greed and are sometimes carried out by someone close and trusted. It could even be someone that the person has been kind to and made great sacrifices for. These actions are even carried out over several years sometimes to destroy another person’s life and to cause them to suffer. Have you ever been seriously wronged and deeply hurt by someone who had no just reason to hurt you? Can you identify with the hurt, anguish, and helplessness expressed in these Psalms? Have you ever prayed any of these Psalms believing that God will administer justice in your situation?
Is There a More Christian Approach – A Better Way?
Some people may think that reading these Psalms is wrong because they contradict the teachings of Jesus Christ, 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 these Psalms 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. A bible study by yourself, with an online group, or with a small group at your church may help you to gain greater insight into the Psalms and how you can use them to encourage yourself in the Lord.
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 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 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 the Old Testament we read:
“To me belongeth vengeance and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.” (Deuteronomy 32:35)
In the New Testament we read:
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore, if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” (Romans 12:19-21)
Conclusion and Call to Action
In conclusion, reading these Psalms is not wrong in itself, after all, they are in the holy Bible. It depends, however, on our motives for reading them and our expectations and desires. It is possible that we do not know all of the circumstances surrounding a situation that we experienced and may have misjudged the other person. It would therefore be better to give the benefit of the doubt to the person in such a situation.
Even in clearcut situations, with no grey areas about what occurred, it is best to rid yourself of anger, hurt, and the desire for vengeance. Harboring the hurt will inflict more pain upon yourself, can affect your relationship with others, can cause you to suffer illness, and can even affect how you relate to God. Consistently ask the Lord to protect you and to rid you of the pain brought on by the hurts and the consequences you have suffered. Spending eternity with Christ is far better than an earthly lifetime without pain.
We should read these Psalms 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 or wishing harm upon them. It may be difficult but with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit, you will overcome it.