Psalm 109:28

Psalm 109:28

Curse them or bless them

This verse is what we might call “interactive.” It’s worth pondering because in a few short words we see the way that prayer involves all sides. The accusers are cursing. The Lord is blessing. David is pleading for justice and vengeance and hoping that he might have good reason to be able to rejoice. 

We’ve already spent some time thinking about effect of curses and how words with negative content (and intent) can have the desired effect on others. If that is so, how much more will blessings from the Lord have positive consequences in those whom He blesses? That’s it really, isn’t it? In all our relationships, be it with people who are close to us or those we barely know, curses or blessing will define our future affiliations. It starts in our heads and comes out of our mouths. Curses and blessings are the staple ingredients in families, in marriage, in the workplace, in casual friendships, in our relationships with everyone. And we can choose whether we wish to bless others or to curse them! 

Notice that David does not ask the Lord to curse his accusers, what he asks is that “those who attack him be put to shame.”  In other words, may the Lord’s blessing upon him be so powerful and evident that those who have lied and taken against him will be ashamed of their words and actions. And when this happens, he, the persecuted one, will go on his way rejoicing.

When we put this into perspective and think about some of the earlier verses of the Psalm, we have to admit that the writer has done an amazing U-Turn! Instead of angst and anger and retribution, he now envisages a positive way forward, God is with Him; may all the curses of men be swallowed up by the blessings of the Lord. Hallelujah!

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