Commentary » Psalms 69:20-Psalms 69:36

Psalms 69:20–36
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Revenge

In his pronouncements against his enemies, David prays for the following to happen:

That his enemies homes will be cursed (v. 22) - “Let their table become a snare..."
That his enemies health will be cursed (v. 23) - Let their eyes be darkened..."
That his enemies happiness will be cursed (v. 24) - “Let Thy wrathful anger take hold"
That his enemies houses will be cursed (v. 25) - “Let their habitations be desolate."

He also prayed that God would find them guilty and blot them from the book of life (Rev. 20:15) This may bring the following question to mind. Is it right to pray for revenge? Several Psalms call upon God to take revenge. However, Jesus said “love our enemies” (Matt. 5:44) and Paul wrote, “..avenge not yourselves...vengeance is mine, I will repay, said the Lord” (Rom. 12:19). In order to put this into its proper perspective, I believe we need to consider the following:

In the Old Testament cursing the wicked was more a plea for God’s justice than a cry for personal revenge. The writers of the Psalms could not tolerate the idea of God standing by, permitting these wrong things to go unpunished.
Even though David asked God to come down hard on the wicked, he himself showed mercy several times when he could have taken revenge (I Sam. 24:8-13; 26:8-11).
It is not fair to expect Old Testament people to act “Christian” before Christ came.

Application

The answer to the above statements is no, I should not pray for revenge but I must trust God to right the wrongs of this world. With Christ’s help I can love and pray for those who mistreat me.

Psalms 69:20-36 (English Standard Version)

Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none. They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink. Let their own table before them become a snare; and when they are at peace, let it become a trap. Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see, and make their loins tremble continually. Pour out your indignation upon them, and let your burning anger overtake them. May their camp be a desolation; let no one dwell in their tents. For they persecute him whom you have struck down, and they recount the pain of those you have wounded. Add to them punishment upon punishment; may they have no acquittal from you. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; let them not be enrolled among the righteous. But I am afflicted and in pain; let your salvation, O God, set me on high! I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. For the LORD hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them. For God will save Zion and build up the cities of Judah, and people shall dwell there and possess it; the offspring of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall dwell in it.

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Psalms 69:20–36» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

Application

Psalms 69:20-36 (English Standard Version)

Psalms 69:20–36
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)