A Call For God to Judge The Wicked

Psalms 109:11–20
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In today’s passage, David continues his imprecatory (cursing) prayer, in full confidence that God will destroy his enemies (vv. 11-15). He prayed that his enemies would be made poor by an extortioner and plunderer (v. 11) and that he and his children would be pitted by no one (v. 12). He prayed that their prosperity would be cut off (v. 13) and that the sins of his enemies’ ancestors would be remembered by the Lord (v. 14-15). Finally, he prayed that the very name of his enemy might be forgotten on the earth (v. 15). To have your name erased from memory was regarded as the greatest of misfortunes.  

After 10 verses of David requesting curses from God for his enemies (vv. 6-15), David returns to his reasoning for the curses rooted in his enemy’s sinful actions (vv. 16-20). David’s enemy had committed the very sins that he accused David of. David was simply recalling the sins of his enemy and asking God to repay him in kind, sin for sin. His enemy had not shown kindness but had instead pursued the most vulnerable “the poor and needy and the brokenhearted” even killing them (v. 16). He had delighted in cursing others (v. 17), so why should he be blessed? This individual was so well known for cursing others that curses might as well have been what his clothing was made of (v. 18a). He apparently took great pride in his knack for cursing others, but David asked God to turn his pride into shame (vs. 18a-19). As James says, “From the same mouth comes blessing, and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so” (James 3:10). 

In response David didn’t answer curse for curse. Instead, he referred the whole matter to the Lord (v. 20). He was not taking vengeance into his own hands but was asking God to be swift in His judgment of evil people. He simply told the Lord that this was a case for the exercise of His justice.

Application

I must love everyone, even those who may try to do evil against me because God loves them. It is never right to get revenge. Bringing justice and judgment is not my job but God’s and it is important that I not interfere.