Temple Baptist Church - 12-4-2022
Psalm 58
Introduction:
A. Psalm 58 is one of the many Imprecatory Psalms.
Psalms 5, 6, 12, 35, 37, 40, 52, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 69, 79, 83, 94, 109, 137, 139 and 143 are considered imprecatory. As an example, Psalm 69:24 states toward God, "Pour out Your indignation on them, and let Your burning anger overtake them."
B. The large number of imprecatory Psalms show us that such praying is not an anomaly but somewhat a norm in certain instances. Imprecatory is both like precatory praying but with the intent of the opposite outcome.
1. The majority of our praying is precatory in nature. Precatory – an expression of a wish or a request. A prayer in the form of supplication, a wish or desire for someone. In a will - expressing a wish or intention of the testator.
LII (Legal Information Institute) - Precatory means recommended, expected, or expressing a hope or wish. Precatory expressions are commonly used in wills and trust and are not binding. The word “supplication” is found 60 times in your Bible. One verse that we use often is:
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
2. Imprecatory – to invoke evil upon or a curse. To call down calamity, destruction, and or God’s anger upon somebody or something perceived to be an enemy of God. Psalm 58 is a classic example of imprecatory praying.
Psalms 58:6-9 Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD. (7) Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces. (8) As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun. (9) Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.
C. This Psalm may seem contrary to the New Testament as we read these verses:
When I think of Psalm 58:6: “Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth,” I think of the time when I was preaching on loving your enemies and inadvertently said to turn to this verse. Some of the congregation beat me to the verse and began laughing and so did I when I read it. I said, “No, don’t do that!”
Matthew 5:43-44 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. (44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Luke 6:35-37 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (36) Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. (37) Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
D. I believe that the Bible gives a clear directive that there are times when imprecatory praying is warranted. Let me show you a few examples of how and when to pray imprecatory prayers.
1. When there is a constant refusal and mockery of the gospel. We need to be careful at this point as we do not know if or when God is done with someone spiritually but, there is a time to move on which leaves this area or person void of have the gospel presented again.
Luke 10:11-12 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. (12) But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
Acts 26:28-29 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. (29) And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
Neither Festus nor Agrippa were given another chance as far as we can discern. Paul moved on! There comes a time to just move on.
2. When someone continually preaches a perverted gospel and troubles the people of God with it.
Galatians 1:7-9 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
When they did not learn better or repent of this, Paul twice said, “Let him be accursed.” There comes a time when these false teachers and preachers become willfully ignorant or rebellious to the truth of the gospel.
3. When certain people or nations continue to persecute those who preach the gospel.
Galatians 5:11-12 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. (12) I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
The gospel becomes an “offense” to them, and they refuse to change their minds toward both the gospel and God’s preachers.
4. When men withstand and mistreat God’s men who preach the truth of God’s word to them.
2 Timothy 4:14-15 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: (15) Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.
3 John 9-11 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. (10) Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. (11) Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; (7) And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, (8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: (9) Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Revelation 6:9-10 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: (10) And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
There are some people who hate and try to destroy both the man of God and the work of God (the local church). These become enemies of the gospel of God and put to death His people.
5. In reference to God haters in general! Not just people who have not heard of the love and person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
I apply this also to those who depict our Lord in a sinful way such as the recent “transgender Jesus.” These people are probably reprobate and as wicked as they can get.
6. In asking God to bring about His wrath upon ungodly religions that damn the souls of people to hell with their heresies.
Revelation 19:1-3 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: (2) For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. (3) And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
Conclusion: There are times when we righteously call for God’s Justice when things will not change that must to be changed both people and circumstances.
No comments:
Post a Comment