If you’re looking for a Scripture reference to include on your Christmas cards, Psalm 109 might not be the best place to find it! We cringe when we read David calling for God to curse his enemies. And as followers of the Prince of Peace, who taught us to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors (Matthew 5:43-44), we wonder what we are to do with passages like this. Psalm 109 is another of the “imprecatory” psalms, which call upon God to act in judgment upon one’s enemies. We have seen other examples, but this time David’s language is more strong and intense. Is it right for him to feel so angry and to use such harsh words? Where is the spirit of grace and forgiveness we see in Jesus, and then Stephen? (Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60). Think about it: as Jesus grew up, meditating on the Psalms, was He able to pray this prayer? While it is commonly argued that Christians should never pray like this, we cannot simply drive a wedge between the Old and New Testaments. Personal revenge is forbidden in both, and David himself resisted this temptation (Prov 25:21-22; 1 Sam 24:12). Meanwhile, Paul called down curses (Gal 1:8; 1 Cor 16:22), and Peter quoted from two imprecatory psalms (including v 8 of Ps 109), applying them to Judas (Acts 1:15-20). Even Jesus alluded to an imprecatory psalm when weeping over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44; Ps 137:9). So as we grapple with Psalm 109, let’s note first that it is addressed to God and not to a person. David is not “cursing” anyone, nor is he taking vengeance into his own hands. He is praying (v 4). Also, remember that David is writing as a king and not merely as a private citizen. His responsibility was to dispense justice to evil persons. In fact, unlike rulers of other kingdoms, David was God’s “anointed,” ruling on God’s behalf. So attacks on him were attacks on God, God’s kingdom, and God’s righteousness. Perhaps this is a hint that not only can Jesus pray Psalm 109, He is the only one who can truly pray this from a sinless heart, without the selfish motives that often plague our hearts. As Christians, our first desire is to see people repent of their sin and find forgiveness through faith in Christ, who died for all. But if they will not do so, is it not right to desire the punishment of evil and the vindication of God and His people? We could hardly ask God to reward evildoers, could we? When Christ returns, He will judge the wicked—and we will praise Him for His perfect justice. Psalm 109 serves as a warning of how seriously God takes sin, that we might seek His grace while it is available to us. The Savior has come. And He is coming again. Let us trust in Him, as men and women of prayer. For further meditation: