A. J. MATTILL, Jr.
Let us consider the complaints of David (the reputed author of Psalm 109) against his enemies: “Wicked men and liars have attacked me for no reason at all. They tell lies about me and say evil things about me. They oppose me, even though I love them and pray for them. They pay me back evil for good and hatred for my love” (Psalm 109: 1-5).
David then urges the Lord to act (Psalm 109:6-17): “Lord, choose a corrupt judge to try my enemy and let an accuser bring him to trial. May he be tried and found guilty, and may even his prayer be considered a crime! Cut his life short, and may another man take his job! May his children become orphans, and his wife a widow! Make his children beg for food and live in the slums. Let the people he owes take everything he owns and give it all to strangers. May no one ever be kind to him or care for the orphans he leaves behind. May all his descendants die and be completely forgotten! Lord, my enemy never even thought of being kind. In fact, he persecuted and killed the poor, the needy, and the helpless. Since he loves to curse others, may he himself be cursed! Since he hated to give blessings, may no one bless him!” Based on several translations.
Turning now to reactions to this terrible text, let us begin with “Two Different Psalms,” by J. Ashley Burke, The X-Rated Book (Houston, TX: J. A. B. Press, 1983), p. 114: “Some folks enjoy the calm of the Twenty Third Psalm And can recite it line for line; But they are unaware Of the malicious prayer Found in Psalm One Hundred and Nine.”
The reaction of Robert G. Ingersoll (1833-1899) is scathing: “In the literature of the world there is nothing more infamous than the 109th Psalm” (What Do You Believe in the Bible?, 1882). Ingersoll continues: “Think of a God wicked and malicious enough to inspire this prayer. Think of one infamous enough to answer it. Had this inspired psalm been found in some temple erected for the worship of snakes, or in the possession of some cannibal king, written in blood on the dried skins of babes, there would have been a perfect harmony between its surroundings and its sentiments” (“Heretics and Heresies”).
Other commentators find Psalm 109 to be “a lament notable for the length and vehemence of David’s prayer against evildoers.” Another scholar asks, “However much a man may suffer, is he ever justified in answering in words like those of Psalm 109?” Another thoughtful person challenges believers, “Defenders of the Bible must explain these horrendous imprecations within the framework of revelation.” Yet another points out that ‘”Mysterious’ was the one word written opposite this psalm in the pocket Bible of a late devout and popular writer. It represents the utter perplexity with which Psalm 109 is generally regarded.” Others make bold to point out that “Psalm 109 is the most complete list of curses in the Bible;” “a series of terrible curses and awful statements.” In short, “When the psalmist thinks of the injustice done to him and others, he breaks out in bitter, uncontrolled denunciation. He doesn’t mince words about his enemies.”
These words hot off the press: “Psalm 109 is probably the most disturbing of all biblical psalms. It’s the most extensive of psalms that are called ‘imprecations,’ a word whose Latin etymology suggests the idea of ‘praying against’ someone. Can prayer become an exercise to release one’s feelings of anger, envy, or vengeance? The words spoken in verses 6-19 are outrageous.”—God’s Word Today, February 2010, p. 14.
What is your reaction to this terrible text?
Keep on Reading. A. J. Mattill, Jr., “A Catalog of Consummate Curses,” The American Rationalist, Volume 44 (No. 2, March/April 2000), pp. 3-4.