Week 4 Day 3: Psalms of Imprecation
Read Psalm 59
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 fulfill 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
- Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him when David wrote this Psalm. Why is David more confident in God than in his enemies?
- How did Jesus experience false accusations and betrayal?
- Having known both, how does the cross give 21st century disciples even confidence that God is our fortress and our shield?
Family Discussion Guide
- What is an enemy?
- How can we recognize an enemy of God?
- Who is our true enemy?
- Read Ephesians 6:12.
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 fulfill 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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