The Imprecatory Psalms (1)

David observed the same principles in his time as Paul did later. The Lord's anointed of the Old Testament and the apostle of Chrst in the New Testament are in complete friendship. The rule for both is stated well by David, the author of the great majority of the psalms of imprecation. First Samuel 24:12 records his words to his deadly enemy Saul who has been hunting David to kill him (see v. 11): "May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you."

"Vengeance belongs to the Lord" is the rule for all times.

Then where do we get the idea that it is wrong to ask God to bring judgment on the wicked? That mentality creeps up on us so subtly that it has become a very common idea in our day. You may even have heard a fellow Christian express such an intense love for friends or relatives that God's judgment against their evil deeds is rejected. It is possible to perceive such deep feeling of love for another as very "Christian" while failing to realize that what is being expressed actually evidences a lack of love for God. In addition, such ideas demonstrate a woefully inadequate comprehension of the seriousness of man's sin against a holy God.

James E. Adams,
War Psalms of the Prince of Peace
(Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1991),
p. 46-47.

The legitimate use of imprecatory prayers and psalms has been neglected. Very few authors have addressed the subject, and almost all of those who try either completely misrepresent the biblical position or end up attacking the Bible itself. I have always held the position represented by the above book, and since I have yet to address this topic in my own books and articles, I might present more quotes from this book in the future. I do urge everyone to get it, especially if you are a pastor. As the author writes in his preface:

Many ministers have cast off these psalms and have abandoned this part of God's Word, with deadly results in the churches. I believe with all my heart that embracing and proclaiming anew the essential truths taught here will climax in the prosperity and advancement of the kingdom of God on the earth. When these holy prayers are again prayed in the Spirit and with understanding, there will come unsuspected power and glory to the church of Christ. (xiii)

"Few are Chosen" will continue on Monday.