Week 4 Day 2: Psalms of Imprecation
Read Psalm 35
Personal Bible Study
Family Discussion Guide
Daily Reflection Questions
Community Conversation Suggestions
Spiritual Formation Activity
Imprecatory Psalms are hard to read. Remember that they are never directed at an individual and always directed at a group that actively opposes God. Imprecations actually call for God’s justice to be met out on His enemies. Often they call for God to fultill a promise that His enemies will be defeated. These are not requests for personally retribution.
Consider the following New Testament examples of Imprecation: Luke 10:10-16, 1 Corinthians 16:21-22, Galatians 1:8, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10.
While it may seem harsh, there is room in Christian prayer for imprecation. Consider writing an imprecation for one or all of the following:
Weekly Memory Verse
Declare them guilty, Oh God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their sins, for they have rebelled against you. -Psalm 5:10
Personal Bible Study
- Is David asking for God’s permission to take revenge on those who’ve wronged him or for God to exact His holy justice? How do you know?
- Are we ever given permission to take revenge on others? See Romans 12:19
- What is the correct course of action when we have been wronged? Matthew 4:43-48 and 18:15-17.
- How does this Psalm serve as an example of how a human struggle can be worship?
Family Discussion Guide
- When people try to stop us from worshipping God or doing what God says is right, what should we do?
Daily Reflection Questions
- What fundamental truth does this text reveal?
- How does this text inform the way God intends me to view myself, others, my circumstances, and the world?
- How can I apply the truth of this text to my life in a practical way?
Community Conversation Suggestions
- Did these passages strike you as strange? Are you surprised language like this is in scripture?
- Do these Psalms change or add anything to your perspective on what is acceptable to pray for?
- What do these Psalms teach about the nature of God?
- Of all the passages in the Bible, why do you think these particular Psalms are included?
Spiritual Formation Activity
Imprecatory Psalms are hard to read. Remember that they are never directed at an individual and always directed at a group that actively opposes God. Imprecations actually call for God’s justice to be met out on His enemies. Often they call for God to fultill a promise that His enemies will be defeated. These are not requests for personally retribution.
Consider the following New Testament examples of Imprecation: Luke 10:10-16, 1 Corinthians 16:21-22, Galatians 1:8, 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10.
While it may seem harsh, there is room in Christian prayer for imprecation. Consider writing an imprecation for one or all of the following:
- The Enemy and his agents
- Governments that oppose or prevent Christian work
- All enemies of God
Weekly Memory Verse
Declare them guilty, Oh God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their sins, for they have rebelled against you. -Psalm 5:10
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