The cursing psalms have always been perplexing to the people of God. Didn't Jesus teach us to love (not curse) our enemies? What do we do with their negative emotions- such as anger, vengeance, and contempt?
First, we need some context. These psalms fall into the category of ancient Hebrew lament literature. They are raw and honest prayers arising from hearts that bear before God a gut reaction to violence, evil, and injustice in the world- particularly when it results in the suffering of the weak and vulnerable.
Here is a classic example of a cursing psalm:
1 By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion.
2 There on the poplars we hung our harps,
3 for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”
4 How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill.
6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth if I do not remember you, if I do not consider Jerusalem my highest joy.
7 Remember, Lord, what the Edomites did on the day Jerusalem fell. “Tear it down,” they cried, “tear it down to its foundations!”
8 Daughter Babylon, doomed to destruction, happy is the one who repays you according to what you have done to us.
9 Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks. (Psalm 137)
Followers of Jesus pray these prayers "Christianly" when we pray them against spiritual foes, rather than human ones. Our enemy is not flesh and blood. We can boldly take up the cursings as 'spiritual warfare prayers' for the defeat of the devil and all his devices (Eph 6:10-20).
Other cursing psalms include: Psalm 7, 10, 35, 52, 53, 55, 58, 59, 64, 69, 83, 109, 120, and 129.
Here are some prompts for praying your own “warfare prayers”:
“Father, we lament the evil and injustice of our world...
“We lament how this evil affects the most vulnerable...
“King Jesus, you are our defender. You
ambushed evil and defeated the devil on the cross. You will win the final victory when you return. In the mean time, we stand against…“In Jesus’ name, Father, frustrate the devil’s plans to…
“Bind up all forces of darkness now at work in…
How to put on the full armor of God:
Helmet: “We take up your helmet of salvation. Keep our minds renewed in your salvation Story, and our identity grounded in Christ.
Breastplate: “We take up the breastplate of your righteousness. Protect our hearts against all the devil’s accusations. Protect our relationships against all disunity and resentment.
Shield: “We take up the shield of faith. Protect us from all unbelief and cynicism.
Belt: “We take up the belt of truth. Keep us grounded in your Word. Equip us to speak only truth, and only in love.
Shoes: “We put on the shoes of the gospel of peace. Protect us in all fear. Make us bold and loving witnesses to your good news in this world.
Sword: “We take up the sword of the Spirit. May we use your Word to expose and demolish all lies and deception.
“By the authority of the Name of King Jesus, Amen.
*Eph 6:10-20
This is part nine in a ten-part series on learning how to pray the psalms. To return to part one, click here. Click here for part ten.
For an index to digital prayer guides to more than one hundred individual psalms, click here.