“The Lord is my Shepherd…”
For thousands of years, the Book of Psalms has been a source of comfort and wisdom for many. Nearly everyone, Christian and layperson alike, can quote a portion of a psalm, such as the opening verse of the beloved Psalms 23, quoted above.
There is a category of Psalms known as imprecatory psalms. This mouthful of a word describes psalms that call down a curse upon another. In comparison to the majority of Psalms that speak of God’s blessings and reassurance, these speak of God’s wrath and judgment upon sinners and it is always jarring to read these psalms.
Break off their fangs, O God! Smash the jaws of these lions, O LORD! May they disappear like water into thirsty ground. Make their weapons useless in their hands. May they be like snails that dissolve into slime, like a stillborn child who will never see the sun.
Psalms 58:6-8 (NLT)
This is a powerful statement. The psalmist is asking God to punish the wicked who spread violence throughout the land. How can we reconcile this with the loving image of God as a kind and caring Shepherd? God is love. It is a perfect love, unhindered by sinful motives or selfish pleasures. He freely gives this love to us, if we choose to accept it through faith and belief in His Son, Jesus Christ. If we do, He promises to care for us as the Good Shepherd. God is also a holy Judge and because of this, He must be righteous and condemn sin. God reserves His wrath for those who reject His Son’s grace and mercy to follow their own sinful desires.
God is Almighty. His power created us and preserved us to live a full relationship with Him through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. He wants to be our Shepherd. Imprecatory psalms are a warning to us. If we choose to reject Him, we will disappear like water into thirsty ground, eternally condemned to be separated from Him.
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
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