Less than positive Psalms

Bonus! Today's discussion is also on Youtube if you'd rather listen!

This week we turn our attention in our Psalms summer series to passages which are often called "imprecatory" Psalms. These are Psalms which are downright offensive to the 21st century reader. A few years ago I wrote a satirical blog titled "10 Bible verses you won't see on social media". Several of those passages were quotes from the Psalms. 

This is a week as I prepare where I fully expect pushback, anger, frustration, and confusion. I expect some to be embarrassed, and others to take things personally. I have a sneaking suspicion that this may even be a week where many simply choose "I'd rather not attend Sunday gathering this week". Even with all the potential for conflict and offensive, I'm thankful to God for these difficult passages in the Psalms. Oftentimes the most difficult to read passages in scripture are the ones which speak the closest to our own sin. The passages which most offend, give the most clarity towards what our hearts revere. 

In our current day and age we love positive things. We love uplifting things. Scroll on Facebook, look on a billboard, take a sip of nearly any drink. We are not a culture that is enamored with sobriety, but rather are a culture that worships and glorifies happiness. Things which make us happy become liturgical (like the morning coffee, the shopping spree, or the latest deal on amazon), and things which make us unhappy become a curse (like waiting, self denial, or meditating on God's righteousness). 

Anything that could be remotely perceived as negative should be rephrased or reworded towards a more positive angle. Rather than pointing out something going poorly, someone should "suggest areas for improvement". Rather than confronting something as evil, someone should discuss the "opportunities for growth". While I'll readily admit that there are times this sort of language is helpful, the word of God in some of the Psalms mince no words, and make no attempt to apologize for their potentially offensive tone. 

"Ok, Jacob, just how offensive can the Psalms really be?". I'm glad you asked, let's take a look at a few verses and ask some questions as we do so. Later on this week we will tackle some of these questions together. 

4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome. 5 The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong; 6 you destroy those who tell lies. The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, Lord, detest. Psalm 5:4-6

4 May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay. 5 May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them away; 6 may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them. Psalm 35:4-6

Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the realm of the dead, for evil finds lodging among them. Psalm 55:15

But do not kill them, Lord our shield, or my people will forget. In your might uproot them and bring them down. 12 For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter, 13 consume them in your wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Psalm 59:11-13

19 You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you. 20 Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none. 21 They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst. 22 May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and a trap. 23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. 24 Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them. 25 May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents. 26 For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt. 27 Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation. 28 May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous. Psalm 69:19-28

Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name; Psalm 79:6

These are hardly the inspirational style quotes that you'd see on a homely plaque sold in a home goods store. While these verses may not be fashionable to our culture, these are inspired Psalms and a part of God's Word. That means they are useful and instructive. Hopefully these few quotes gives you a bit of a taste of the language the Psalms uses to speak, hope for, and look forward to the downfall of evil. A couple of questions to think about today after hearing these passages: 

Who is the standard setter of what is good and what is evil? 

What is the Psalmist responding to when speaking of the downfall of evil? 

Is evil that big of a problem? 

Think about these questions, and in our next discussion we'll tackle each question to learn more of why God has spoken his Word through Psalms that are "less than positive".