Vengeance Belongs to God Only
Psalm 109
Rev Dr Devadosan Sugirtharaj
Introduction
David titled Psalm 109 "To the Chief musician." This is David's prayer to call down curses upon his enemies. However, through this psalm, David left the vengeance up to God and refused to act upon these curses.
Prayer for Deliverance. Psalm 109:1-5
- Prayer for deliverance from the hatred of enemies. Psalm109:1-3
- As David faced troubles from his enemies, he cried out to God for the words of wicked and deceitful enemies. He was confident in his innocence but heard the words of lies hatred and without cause from his enemies. He called it a fight against him.
- Prayer for deliverance from the ingratitude of enemies. Psalm 109:4-5
- David heard not only the abusive words of his enemies but also saw the ingratitude of them. He loved them and did good. However, they hated him without a cause, did evil for good, and showed hatred for love. He did nothing else but pray. He prayed to God for His justice in his case against his enemies.
Prayer for destruction upon the enemy’s family. Psalm 109:6-20
- Destruction against the enemy’s family. Psalm 109:6-13.
- David spoke about his enemy in the singular as he mentioned a group in Ps.109:1-5. He called him a wicked man, accuser, and betrayer. He prayed that God may prove his righteousness before this accuser. This is a prophetic message of Judas Iscariot. Peter used it as a prophetic quotation in Acts 1:20 especially Ps.109:8. The judgment of God may affect the accuser and his family.
- Destruction against the enemy’s many sins. Psalm 109:14-20
- David hoped that God would remember their sins continually and show no mercy as they pursued the poor and oppressed. As they were cruel, God may break their hearts and bring all the curses they pronounced on David.
Prayer for Help. Psalm 109: 21-29
- Prayer for God’s help because of weakness. Psalm 109: 21-25
- David understood that he had no strength to deal with his enemies. He was weak in heart as he was wounded by his enemies. His physical strength was wasting away. They despised him.
- Prayer for God’s help to have a heart for God’s glory. Psalm 109:26-29
- David wanted the enemies to see the Lord’s hand being upon him. When God redeems him, the enemies see and are afraid that God is with him and he is not alone. The enemies may curse. However, he prayed that God may bless him.
Praising God for his answer to his prayer. Psalm 109:30-31
- David praised God for his answer to his prayers and for his honor upon him before his enemies. Because God loves and cares for the poor and for those oppressed by their enemies.
Conclusion
When enemies break our hearts and despise our lives, we are broken. In those times, we cannot curse our enemies but we ask God to defend us. Vengeance belongs to God, not to us. Let us pray for them but let us not behave like them.