Week 4 Day 4: Psalms of Imprecation
Read Psalm 79
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
- Asaph most likely wrote this psalm after Babylon had invaded and leveled Jerusalem. He was afraid Israel’s spiritual identity would be destroyed. How is this plea to God understandable in light of the circumstances that inspired it?
- What about now? Read this Psalm with the 21st century church in mind.
- How do Asaph’s words apply to the church today?
- Can you pray this Psalm or part of it for the church in the 21st century?
Family Discussion Guide
- How do you think it makes God feel when leaders of other countries try to hurt Christians or keep them from worshipping?
- What should believers do when that happens?
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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