We observe David approaching God in light of the adversities he encountered, prompting the question: if not for these challenges, where would he be? However, before contemplating this inquiry concerning David’s life, this Psalm invites us to introspect. Are we aligned with God solely due to tribulations, or are we drawn by the blessings and peace that He imparts? Typically, periods of peace engender a sense of complacency, often ensnaring individuals in comfort. This Psalm is widely recognised as a prayer Psalm, noted for entrusting our adversaries to God’s discretion, as David exemplified, despite possessing the means to vanquish them. While refraining from immediate reaction and surrendering all to God is commendable, it is the expectations we have of God that hold greater significance.
Evil for Good
My God, whom I praise, do not remain silent,
for people who are wicked and deceitful
have opened their mouths against me;
they have spoken against me with lying tongues.
With words of hatred they surround me;
they attack me without cause.
In return for my friendship they accuse me,
but I am a man of prayer.
They repay me evil for good,
and hatred for my friendship. – Psalms 109:1-5 (NIV)
Do we extol God to secure His presence during times of adversity? Our expressions of praise may harbour ulterior motives and expectations. Even when seeking favour from an individual who is undeserving of commendation, we do not hesitate to offer praise in hopes of obtaining our desired outcome. David believed that by glorifying God, he would be entitled to His favour. He was deeply wounded when those for whom he had acted benevolently repaid him with malevolence. Was this not a result of our anticipation of reciprocity, manifested in various forms such as material gifts, favours, or praises? Furthermore, David’s lamentation reveals that he remained among them, still hoping for a positive response. He pondered why they were unjustly maligning him.
In a similar way, the accuser unjustly targets us, for if we were guilty of transgressions, he would have no need to accuse, as we would align with his schemes. With this perspective, a believer ought not to mourn over those who unjustly oppose us. However, God is cognizant of our circumstances and suffering, and He is actively working to transform all acts of evil into good, provided that we love Him (Romans 8:28). In this context, David regarded himself as a man of prayer, confining his supplications to a singular request for God’s vindication.
Human Prayers Clash With God’s Purpose
Appoint someone evil to oppose my enemy;
let an accuser stand at his right hand.
When he is tried, let him be found guilty,
and may his prayers condemn him.
May his days be few;
may another take his place of leadership. – Psalms 109:6-8 (NIV)
In our moments of anguish and anxiety, we frequently inquire of God regarding what He desires us not to relinquish. James remarked upon the phenomenon of unanswered prayers, noting that we often ask with misplaced intentions (James 4:3). David asked God to select an individual of ill repute from His assembly to confront his adversary. This notion arises from a lack of understanding of God as the sovereign Creator of all that exists in this world (John 1:3). By embracing this concept, we erroneously assume that evil emerged independently and exists beyond the authority of God, the Creator. Furthermore, since God possesses no malicious one to dispatch, He sent His Son, who was without sin, to atone for mankind’s transgressions and prevent them from perishing. Even now, God beckons the righteous to His Kingdom in due course (Isaiah 57:1), while allowing the unrighteous an extended duration of existence (Ezekiel 11:33). However, as articulated in David’s prayer, our pursuit of vengeance often obstructs our comprehension of God’s intentions.
Believers are instructed to engage in prayer with fervour and sincerity; however, if such prayers do not align with the will of God, they may be categorised as insincere. In this context, David, while a warrior, conforms to the strategies of warfare, seemingly overlooking his initial experiences in battle, which were devoid of such tactical considerations. As a warrior, David confronted his adversaries not as a man of faith or prayer, despite his self-identification as such.
Hereafter in this Psalm, all his petitions exhibit a judgmental nature, resembling that of an individual who seeks the assistance of a witch to harm their adversaries. Similarly, while we designate ourselves as individuals of prayer, the vengeance within us emerges when we beseech God to protect us. Furthermore, we anticipate the wrath of God to descend upon our enemies, and upon witnessing their downfall, we find satisfaction, believing that God has served justice upon them. This misconception will resolve only when we fully recognise that our Father is also theirs and that He extends His protection to them as well.
Many of David’s psalms are vindictive in tone, in which he calls upon God to prove his righteousness by bringing judgment upon his enemies. However, in the age of grace, we are reminded of the Father’s love—a love that was not vindictive even toward those who crucified Jesus, but instead offered forgiveness for their sins. In truth, we too were responsible for His crucifixion, for His sacrifice was necessary to save us from eternal death. Yet God loved us so deeply that He did not hesitate to offer His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. If the Father did not seek revenge against those who killed His Son or those who are the reason behind the crucifixion, what right do we have to ask God to destroy those who oppress us?
God Stands Beside Us
With my mouth I will greatly extol the LORD;
in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him.
For he stands at the right hand of the needy,
to save their lives from those who would condemn them. – Psalms 109:30-31 (NIV)
David sought God’s presence in every conflict, firmly believing that God stands in support of the vulnerable (Psalm 34:18). From a broader spiritual viewpoint, God has delivered our lives from the condemnation imposed by our adversary and rendered void our legal obligations that were contrary to us (Colossians 2:14). We require His spirit to safeguard our salvation. The saints who have relinquished their salvation in exchange for eternal life continuously offer praise to God while standing before His throne (Revelation 7:14).
We must exercise caution to avoid squandering this extraordinary blessing of eternal life by misusing prayer as a tool to invoke curses or inflict harm upon others. In such instances, we are not truly praying to God but rather to the devil. Engaging in such actions, without a comprehensive understanding of their consequences, jeopardises our salvation. Consequently, God implores us to triumph over evil with good. Initially, He imparted this lesson to Cain, whose countenance was downcast due to malevolent desires. God offered him an opportunity to replace evil with good, yet Cain failed to seize it. Subsequently, Joseph adhered to this teaching of God and responded to evil with goodness. Do we really learn from God, or are we simply misapplying His teachings by using these kinds of Psalms as the foundation for our prayers?
Loving God, as we reflect upon the Psalms of David, which often express a sense of vindictiveness, may we also be reminded that his repentance ultimately drew him nearer to Your heart. Grant us the wisdom to refrain from emulating his vengeful prayers and instead to adopt the prayer of Jesus, who implored You, Father, to forgive the transgressions of those who persecuted Him. Fill our hearts with Your love, that we may comprehend Your plan for our lives and for those who oppose us. Amen.
The Jordan Valley 
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