What are imprecatory psalms? Psalms recorded in which the writer calls down calamity, destruction, and God’s judgment on his enemies. Two of those Psalms are 58 & 59.
Should Christians pray imprecatory language?
“Break their teeth in their mouth, O God! Break out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord! Let them flow away as waters which run continually; When he bends his bow, let his arrows be as if cut in pieces.” Psalms 58:6-7
“Do not slay them, lest my people forget; Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield. For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, let them even be taken in their pride, and for the cursing and lying which, they speak.” Psalms 59:11-12
Let’s remember a few things:
1. When these were written the battle was physical, today the battle is spiritual. Our prayers should be against our spiritual enemy. Even our greatest physical foe is wrapped up and manipulated by the spiritual enemy. He is our real enemy. Pray for justice but recognize the battle is spiritual, not physical. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
2. Psalms are prayers and petitions to the Lord. Even the writers of these Psalms are speaking and waiting on the Lord. “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord” (Romans 12:19). It’s not our battle to win on our own, but His to strengthen us through and it’s His victory to be had, not ours.
3. These were moments not lifetime mentalities. Tough times and difficult people will be part of our life, but our hearts need to be full of thanksgiving and rejoicing. (1 Thessalonians 5:18-19). Meditating on revenge and/or negative things can quench the Spirit in our lives. This too shall pass. Pray, seek the Lord, and move on with thanksgiving and rejoicing. The battle is His, not ours.
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