It is hard for me to read some of the imprecatory psalms. They are fear-filling and reveal the nature of a God that is both righteous and just. We find that God must punish the wicked. In Psalm 5:4 we discover that God does not delight in wickedness, He destroys those speak lies, abhors thee bloodthirsty and deceitful person. These qualities are balanced with the lovingkindness shown to those who keep God’s commands, and are lead by His righteousness.
It certainly isn’t popular to rebuke sinful people with the truth. However, isn’t it one of the kindest things we can do, to warn people that the holiness of God will not allow Him to be in the same place as evil. Sinners cannot stand in the presence of God (Psalm 1:5). In almost every psalm of this nature we find a plea for God to work on the heart of the one praying or singing the psalm. It is the righteous and virtuous that can rejoice in their God because He blesses them.
In the words of Paul in the New Testament, “Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off” (Romans 11:22) A stern warning that captures much of the same message as the imprecatory psalms.
“God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day” (Psalm 7:11 NKJV).
The psalms truly give us pause to think that God must do what is just and holy. They should turn us from sin and cause us to bow to the holiness of such a devout God.
Worship Thoughts 