Psalm 109

Jimmy Lau

Psalm 109 is known as an Imprecatory Psalm. The word “Imprecatory” means “to swear, curse, or blaspheme, to invoke or bring down (evil, a curse, etc)” (www.dictionary.com). Imprecatory Psalms, are those that invoke judgment, calamity, or curses, upon one's enemies or those perceived as the enemies of God. In this psalm, we see David wishing calamities and destruction upon his enemies.
 
Psalm 109 begins with an appeal by David to God to hear his complaints about his enemies (v.1-5). He prays that they will be cursed and destroyed (v.6-20). He prays to God to bless him (v.21-31).
 
I feel uncomfortable when I read David’s prayer. Our Lord’s teaching is that we should “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).
 
The word “bless” means to speak well. Hence, as Christians, there is no room for us to curse our enemies. We should instead speak well of them, do good to them, and pray for them.
 
The question: Why did David curse his enemies in this prayer? Should we pray in like manner?
 
First, we must distinguish between personal and public enemies. For those we know who hate us, we will have to love them, bless them, do good to them, and pray for them. If they continue to do us harm, then let God take care of it: “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:19).
 
We deal with public enemies differently. Should we love the ISIS, do good to them, wish them well, and pray for them? No, we shouldn’t. Instead, we should pray that governments put an end to such an evil organisation.
 
Next, we must realise that many of the psalms are prophetic in nature. In this psalm, we see a resemblance to the sufferings of Christ and the betrayal by Judas. Read verses 1-5 again. Did the Jews accuse Christ falsely? (Matthew 26:59, 60). Did they compass Him with hatred and without a cause? (John 15:25). Did they reward Him evil for good? (Mark 15:20).
 
Read verses 6-20 again. Was David, writing under inspiration, referring to Judas? Verse 6 reads: “Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.” Luke 22:3 records: “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.” Hence, when David wrote: “When he shall be judged, let him be condemned” (v.7), was he alluding to the fate of Judas?
 
The apostle Peter confirmed it was Judas when he quoted from this psalm regarding the vacancy left by Judas that must be filled: “Let his days be few; and let another take his office” (v.8; Acts 1:20).
 
David was referring to Christ when he wrote: “I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shaked their heads” (v.25). Again, this prophecy was fulfilled when Christ was hung on the cross: “And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads” (Matthew 27:39).
 
David left vengeance to God. He did not slay Saul when he had opportunities to do it. David, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, saw the suffering of Christ and the betrayal by Judas.
 
This is not a psalm teaching us to curse our enemies. Instead, we are to love our enemies, bless them, do good to them, and pray for them. May we love and be forgiving like Christ.