Psalm 35 an Imprecatory Prayer

Imprecatory prayers are those which can make us uncomfortable when we read them. We wonder what to do with them? God commands we love our enemies, pray for those who curse us, do good to them who hate you. Now we must remember that’s our treatment of them. It doesn’t mean we cannot agree with God to do justly toward those who are behaving unjust. God doesn’t want us acting in vengeance but he says, “vengeance is Mine, I will repay.”

When I read an imprecation I agree with God that I can do as he commanded toward my enemies while I ask him to limit or destroy the reach of those who behave without mercy. I work as his arm of grace and mercy as I love, pray for, and show goodness; while he’s acting to sets straight those who continue to follow in their own way. Those who do not turn from their sin.

As I read this prayer of imprecation I can agree that God would stop those who wish to destroy and only offer harm and twisted justice. Psalm 7:11 “God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day.”

The Scriptures govern our heart and actions toward our enemies. Yet we don’t have to sit idol while they add corruption upon corruption. We, however, cannot walk in the same corruption and be considered righteous. Imprecatory prayers allow us to appeal to the Part of God’s character that hates wickedness.

Warning: if your prayers become visions of people’s destruction you’ve crossed from righteous to unrighteousness. Remember you needed a Savior too, that makes you, no better without Jesus. Me, too!