Day 144 – Psalm 108-110

Talking Points

• The psalmist shows us our praises or lack of praises are a witness to the world. David says he will sing praises “among the peoples” (108:3) and “in the midst of many” (109:30). What would others think of our God based on our praises?
• David has fought many battles, defeating many warriors. He realizes, when the enemy attacks with words, the only response is to turn it and them over to God. Escalating the attack will not bring resolution. Shouting louder than the attacker will not make you heard. Seeking to overturn their words with truth will carry little impact. God sees. He knows. He will set things right. What a valuable lesson!
• As David prays for vindication from his enemies, we see how great his injuries are by how great his anger boils.

Thoughts

Psalm 109 is one of the imprecatory psalms, or prayers cursing the enemies of the psalmist, who were ultimately enemies of God. This particular psalm was written by King David, and reveal the pain caused by those who sought to ruin him. While we can understand that it is normal human nature to desire revenge against those who’ve hurt us, some people have a difficult time reconciling these types of psalms with the rest of Scripture, the behavior of God’s people, or with the character of God.

When perplexed by these invocations of God’s wrath, it is important to remember that these people had done much harm to God’s people, trying repeatedly to destroy them. These psalms reveal the psalmists’ hatred for wickedness and the longing they had for justice and divine vengeance.

When Christ came, He clearly taught us how we are to pray for and treat our enemies today. We are to forgive, as we’ve been forgiven of much. We are to love them, we are to pray for them with compassion, desiring their salvation, and we are to bless them rather than curse them. We can do all of this only by the power of God who lives in us, and only resting in the promise of the perfect Judge and merciful Savior.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – Matthew 5:43-48

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. “BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:14-21