A few weekends ago, I attended a retreat at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte that explored the Psalms through art, dance, drama, music, and study.
During one of the breakout group sessions, another participant asked the presenter if they prayed the imprecatory psalms, given that we are called to forgive and love our enemies.
This participant further shared that they had experienced a significant personal tragedy that forced them to wrestle with the topic of forgiveness, thus making the imprecatory psalms at best confusing to them and at worst contradictory to extending forgiveness.
But before we go any further, do you know what an imprecatory psalm is?
Asking God to Take Action Against Enemies
Defining Imprecatory Psalm
An imprecatory psalm is one that implores God to take action against His enemies and the enemies of His people.
Merriam-webster.com includes the following on its webpage in discussion of the meaning of the word imprecate:
It may surprise you to learn that a word that refers to wishing evil upon someone has its roots in praying, but imprecate ultimately derives from the Latin verb precari, meaning “to pray, ask, or entreat.” Precari is also the ancestor of such English words as deprecate (which once meant “to pray against an evil,” though that sense is now archaic), precatory (“expressing a wish”) and even pray itself (which has deeper roots in the Latin noun for a request or entreaty, prex).
Given this, how can we pray an imprecatory psalm and still practice forgiveness of enemies?
Join me as we walk through Psalm 5, one example of an imprecatory psalm.
Asking God to Take Action Against Enemies
A study of Psalm 5
5 To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David.
1 Give ear to my words, O Lord;
consider my groaning.
2 Give attention to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God,
for to you do I pray.
3 O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. [1]
What does David want from the Lord?
4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil may not dwell with you.
5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
you hate all evildoers.
6 You destroy those who speak lies;
the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. [2]
What does God delight in?
Who may stand before God?
7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
will enter your house.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
in the fear of you.
8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
make your way straight before me. [3]
Why is David able to approach the Lord?
What does David need from the Lord?
9 For there is no truth in their mouth;
their inmost self is destruction;
their throat is an open grave;
they flatter with their tongue.
10 Make them bear their guilt, O God;
let them fall by their own counsels;
because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,
for they have rebelled against you. [4]
What is the primary concern here?
11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you.
12 For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
you cover him with favor as with a shield. [5]
What does David believe the Lord does for those who follow Him?
Asking God to Take Action Against Enemies
A study of Psalm 5 | Personal Application
Based on Psalm 5, what is the primary reason to ask God to take action against His enemies?
How does this primary reason translate toward seeking help for ourselves when we are walking through difficulties of any kind?
What did David model in Psalm 5 to guard against becoming an enemy of God ourselves?
How does this remind us to still extend forgiveness to those who harm us?
Asking God to Take Action Against Enemies
A study of Psalm 5 | My Thoughts
Keep in mind that, unlike with some other psalms, there is no information provided that tells us exactly when David wrote Psalm 5.
We also know that David committed adultery with Bathsheba and conspired to kill her husband in a cover-up of his affair. Thus, it is startling at first glance that David wrote the words of Psalm 5. (See 2 Samuel 11-12)
I believe, though, that it is David’s keen awareness of his own failures before God that he speaks in this manner.
Who else could understand better how easy it is to fall away from the righteous path of following the Lord, and yet, because he humbled himself before God when held accountable for his actions, he received mercy?
Also, keep in mind who David is talking to.
Psalm 5 was not recorded for us as an example to tell us to go talk to everyone we know about the terrible things that have happened to us or God and seek their support for stopping our or God’s enemies.
No, David shows us to turn to God and God alone as our refuge, knowing that God created all things and will ultimately set all things right.
God alone is whom we can bear our rawest emotions to, knowing He will listen and take action against the enemies of His kingdom. Scripture consistently assures us of this.
In addition, God is the one who throughout both the Old and New Testaments regularly extends incredible mercy and forgiveness to His people.
I hope this helps us to understand that we can, with David, pray at least this imprecatory psalm and yet still practice forgiveness. We just need to remember that this psalm is praying against anything that hinders God’s kingdom in this world.
Heavenly Father, sometimes our emotions are so deep and raw over the wickedness of this world. The injustices and cruelty that we hear about and even experience are atrocious. Help us, like David in Psalm 5, be primarily concerned about seeking Your leadership over our lives so that we may model Your grace and mercy even during the difficult times we and others experience. Lord, may we desire Your justice to reign over this earth, as You are not only just but merciful.
Thank you for this reminder that you hear us and that we can ask you to take action against your enemies. Help us approach you with humility and service so that we may experience your holy kingdom, Lord of heaven and earth. Protect us, Lord, even now, as we eagerly await the return of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Shall we look at some other imprecatory Psalms in the weeks to come, or is there another topic you would like me to explore? Let me know!
Warmly,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ps 5:title–3.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ps 5:4–6.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ps 5:7–8.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ps 5:9–10.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ps 5:11–12.