Week 4 Day 5: Psalms of Imprecation
Read Psalm 109
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
- What evidence in the Psalm supports David’s claims that the person he is writing about is doing harm?
- Read Micah 6:8. How does this verse justify David’s feelings toward the wrongdoer?
- Just because David asks for these imprecations, does it mean God will oblige?
- What does this show about our ability to share our hearts with God?
Family Discussion Guide
- When someone hurts us, is it ok to hurt them back? Read Romans 12:17.
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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