Bible Passage: Psalm 109

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake.”

Matthew 5:11

Some psalms are soothing, such as Psalm 23. Others like Psalm 91 are comforting. Psalms 109 on the other hand was troubling to read. David, the author of the psalm is requesting God to not only destroy his enemies, but also punish their families.

I felt David was being too harsh, surely as Christians we should be gentle and meek? (Matthew 11:29)

It is understandable for a person to hate his enemies, but surely there was no need for him to want destruction to rain upon their families as well?

Didn’t Jesus tell us to forgive the sins of others?

After reading today’s passage for the second time, I am reminded of a few things.

Walk in the shoes of others

It is easy for us who have not gone through persecutions to criticise those who have greatly suffered for their faiths. We can never imagine the oppression and sufferings that David had to experience.

Similarly, before we judge someone we should put ourselves in his shoes and understand the circumstances he is in.

God is righteous

God is not just a loving God, He is also a righteous judge. Many Christians from other churches stress greatly on the love of God, and neglected the part where God is a just God, and on the last day He will judge every man according to his deeds.

Entrust to God, Wait for God’s Perfect Time

While David specified what he wanted God to do to his enemies, he committed the wicked to God to deal with them in His time and way.

When people do us wrong, we may have the impulse to deal with them in a way we think is right, even after praying to God to seek justice on our behalf. We may be too impatient to wait for God to seek vengeance on our behalf.

David in this psalm admitted his hatred and wrath against his enemies. He poured out his troubles to God. Sometimes we may supress our burdens and bury our anger in our hearts, forgetting tell God our sorrows.

Although God can read what is in our hearts, this psalm also reminds me to tell God every detail of my feelings and troubles.

Waiting for God requires us to have confidence and faith in His goodness. No matter how long we wait for God’s justice and promise, it is always worth waiting as God acts wonderfully on behalf of those who wait for Him.