Psalm 109 is the strongest song of imprecation in the Psalms. It is to call down harm and destruction from God on one’s enemies. It exposes man’s nature of violence and revenge in its rawest form. But the singer doesn’t take the matter in his own hands and wreak vengeance. No, he dumps it all on God in prayer. He says, in Verses 3-5, “They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, And fought against me without cause. In return for my love they act as my accusers; But I am in prayer. Thus they have repaid me evil for good and hatred for my love.”
The key phrase is “But I am in prayer.” While the greatest warrior for God’s truth, he was the least aggressive against his personal enemies. This is seen in his reaction to Saul, his sons rebellions, and to those who betrayed him in the kingdom. He never struck back in self defense. He didn’t throw spears back at Saul, he didn’t throw stones back and Shimei, and he didn’t throw insults back at Amnon or Ahithophel. When Absolom attempted to rip the kingdom from him by force, he quietly left the city and waited for God to decide his fate.
God heard David’s prayer and interceded for him. He passed on a united kingdom to his son Solomon who ruled over the greatest kingdom in the world. The reigns of the kings that followed were predominantly characterized by intrigue, violence, murder, suspicions and deceit. They didn’t last very long. Our families, churches, communities won’t last very long either if we live by the sword. One of Christ’s exhortation to his disciples was to “turn the other cheek.” Among the qualifications for Spiritual leadership in the church is not to be “pugnacious.” We are not to hit back! Instead of being pugnacious, we are to be men and women of prayer.
As reported in the New York Times, Soviet Premier Khrushchev, on visiting Rouen Cathedral, said, “There is much in Christ that is in common with us Communists, but I cannot agree with Him when He says when you are hit on the right cheek turn the left cheek. I believe in another principle. If I am hit on the left cheek I hit back on the right cheek so hard that the head might fall off. This is my sole difference with Christ.”
Chuck
“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 105:1-2)