Imprecatory Psalms: Is It Right to Pray for Judgment?

I was reminded of something the other day when a member of FBCUC asked me to comment on one of the Psalms. The specific psalm under discussion was Psalm 10. This psalm is a small example of a larger theme throughout several other psalms, namely Psalm 5; 35; 58; 59; 69; and 109. Together, these psalms are what are called imprecatory psalms – psalms that call on God to punish those who commit evil, violence, and wickedness.

These psalms have, invariably, been at the center of much theological conversation over the years. The controversy that these psalms stir up is one of: Is it right for God’s people to pray for the destruction of those who work evil? Should God’s people incline their hearts to the Lord for the demise and downfall of others? It’s a good question, so let’s spend some time discussing.

First, imprecatory psalms are Scripture, so they are, therefore, right and justified. They were written at a time when God’s people were hard pressed by their adversaries. So, naturally, the writers of these psalms lifted their voices and said, “God, destroy them all!” It’s a normal instinct to call out to God for help during times of vulnerability and helplessness. Imprecatory psalms take it a step further by categorizing this “help” as Divine vengeance. Psalm 96, to give you an idea, says this in verses 24-28: “Pour out your indignation upon them, and let Your wrathful anger take hold of them. Let their dwelling place be desolate; let no one live in their tents…Let them be blotted out of the book of the living and not be written with righteousness.” That’s quite a mouthful!

Ok, so then, ethically and morally, the next question is: Is it ok for a believer to pray for such things? Should Christians today be praying for God to annihilate those who are persecuting our brothers and sisters in Nigeria for example? Should we pray for God to end the lives of those who are trafficking children, selling narcotics, or harming others through greed, abuse, and/or a plethora of other things? According to these psalms, the answer is “yes”. It is morally and ethically justified to pray for God to enact Divine vengeance on those who commit acts of violence against God’s people, the innocent, and the vulnerable.

Here’s why: Though believers do not have the capacity to act, think, or understand things as God does, we do have the ability to outsource justice and vengeance to the One who does. God hears the imprecatory prayers of His people as pleas to make it all stop. Believers, sensitive to the plight of others, can rightly cry out to God to intervene, punish evil, and stop evil things from happening. God, then, takes those prayers and has the capacity to balance His Divine justice and Divine grace in a way that pleases Him. Since He is the only one who knows the fine line between the two, believers can have confidence in knowing He will act at a time, and in a way, that brings harmony these prayers and His will.

A word of caution however: Though imprecatory prayers are right, believers should be cautious in invoking them in a way that is carnal or selfish. These prayers are serious business and come from a deep place of concern; so, they should only be considered after much contemplation. It is not right, for example, for believers to go around praying for God to just wipe everyone off the map. We should pray for the salvation of lost souls, but we should certainly know when it is time to outsource vengeance to Him. In the meantime, God continues to collect these prayers in heaven and will hurl them back to the earth during the Great Tribulation (Rev. 81-6). Eventually, He will repay evil with Divine justice.

Blessings,

Bro. Ben