Psalms 137, 58, & 109

Description

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.

Review

Our seventh lesson, on Psalm 51, most epitomized the theme of this series, Drawing Near to God. Honest confession makes for vital relationships, including our all-important relationship with God.
And yet although honesty is commendable, the Psalms actually contain some prayers that are sub-Christian in content and attitude.
Accordingly, our eighth lesson is entitled “Prayers You Shouldn’t Pray.”

Imprecatory psalms

Praying against (one's enemies)
Latin: prex (prayer) + in (against)
There are many imprecations in the Bible, although this podcast discusses only three.
- 137:7-9
- 58:6-11
- 109:3-13, 21-31
C. S. Lewis and others noted: when the ancient Jews come to God, they ask for justice; when Christians come, they ask for mercy.

The O.T. and Enemies

The imprecatory psalms are in tension with the O.T. ideal of treating one’s enemies well.
- Exodus 23:4-5
- Leviticus 19:17-18
- Proverbs 24:17, 25:21
- 2 Kings 6:20-23
In a way, praying the imprecatory prayers was a way of obeying God's command not to take revenge. It's all left in God's hands; he is being implored to do what he said he would do and deal with Israel's enemies.
The O.T. seems to say more about war than about peace, yet peace is always the ultimate goal.
- Zechariah 14:16
- Isaiah 11:6-9, 9:6

The higher standard

Matthew 5:43-48
It was completely normal to be kind to the insider; the outsider (non-Israelite) was the other, the enemy.
Did Jesus not teach the brotherhood of man? Brothers not in the sense of salvation, but origin. God is the Father of us all, if not in the salvific sense, at least in the ultimate sense.
We could utter imprecatory prayers. Do you think we should? Should we seek “sweet revenge”?

Conclusion

Honest prayers, yes. Get it out. But let the Spirit of Christ guide us.
Let's read the O.T.—and the entire Bible—with sensitivity. Be aware of "problem passages," esp. any that might cast aspersions on the God we serve.
When you’ve based your life on the trustworthiness of the scriptures, it takes great courage to admit there are difficulties.
Jesus called us to a standard far above the one we find in the imprecatory psalms.
God's holy standard is difficult, but shouldn't we make the attempt? "Be perfect... as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Thought questions

Are there biblical passages that have troubled me? Have I been honest in my treatment of them, or have I ignored them, trying to forget about them?
How do I think it would affect outsiders to the faith to see insiders wrestling with problematic scriptures? Am I afraid it would give them an excuse to dismiss Christianity?
What have I learned from the imprecatory psalms?
Do I think it is ever appropriate for a Christian to use the weapons of the world (2 Cor 10:3-4)?
How did Christ view his enemies? disarm them? pray for them?

Prayer points

Give me the strength of faith and integrity to admit that there are problem passages.
Strengthen me with your grace to resist every impulse towards hatred, violence, and revenge.
Enable me to live up to the high calling of holiness enjoined on us by the Lord Jesus.

Other scriptures noted

A few other potentially scandalous or problematic aspects of the Bible