Imprecations in the Psalms: Love for Enemies in Hard Places
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
The gap between the New Testament and the Imprecatory Psalms is less than we think. When faced with prayers against enemies in the Psalms, we are too quick to assume that these Old Testament authors were ignorant of some basic New Testament ethics. They are self-righteous, thinking they have earned God's favor. They don’t know that the wicked can repent and be forgiven. They believe in vengeance and hating their enemies. We assume wrongly. These prayers are far more aware than many modern churchgoers of how deeply our own sin runs, so that even when persecuted, we are not automatically entitled to divine help. Even when we are truly entitled to justice against unrighteous attackers, if God rescues us, that is unmerited grace. Further, the psalms are fully aware that their enemies can repent, and they show mercy to them. The Book of Psalms teaches its readers--individuals and the whole people of God--to desire the repentance, forgiveness, and divine blessing of all nations, even the people’s most vicious enemies.
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- Teaches its readers to desire the repentance, forgiveness, and divine blessing of all nations.
- Shows concern for the welfare of the enemy.
- Suggests we look instead at the Psalter, which provides the context for interpretation.
- Introduction
- A Real, Biblical Problem: Retribution in the Psalter
- Reading the Psalter as Book: A Brief Guide for the Perplexed
- Retribution in the Introduction to the Psalter: Psalms 1 and 2
- Retribution in the Introduction to David: Psalm 3
- Because of My Innocence: Self-Righteous or “Not Guilty”?
- David and Israel in the Psalter
- Retribution in Book I: Psalm 7
- Retribution in Book I: Psalm 18
- David, Israel’s Teacher about Steadfast Love: The Structure of Book V
- Retribution in Section I of Book V: Psalm 109
- Retribution in Section II of Book V: Psalms 119, 129
- Retribution in Section III of Book V: Psalms 137, 139–44
- Conclusion
With sustained and careful analysis of Psalms 1–3 and the shape of Book 5, Jenkins demonstrates persuasively that the Imprecatory Psalms should not be understood as self-righteous requests for revenge. Rather, they ‘show concern for the welfare of the enemy, including... a desire for their repentance and blessing.’ His work also clearly shows how attention to Psalter shape continues to yield illuminating and important results—very impressive!
—J. Clinton McCann Jr., Eden Theological Seminary
Steffen Jenkins has produced a fresh and stimulating analysis of the Imprecatory Psalms that will greatly aid academics and students for years to come as they explore this difficult portion of the Psalter.
—Jonathan Gibson, Westminster Theological Seminary
This study makes an important contribution to the theology and ethics of the calls for divine retribution within the Psalter. It can also serve as an accessible introduction to reading the Psalter as a book and with an awareness of significant links to other parts of the Old Testament. Having studied and lectured on the Psalms for years, I have nevertheless learned much from this work which broadened my perspective on the Psalter, deepened my understanding of individual psalms, and changed my mind on a few issues.
—Thomas Renz, Oak Hill Theological College, retired
- Title: Imprecations in the Psalms: Love for Enemies in Hard Places
- Author: Steffen G. Jenkins
- Publisher: Pickwick Publications
- Print Publication Date: 2022
- Logos Release Date: 2023
- Pages: 316
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Subjects: Bible. O.T. Psalms › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Blessings and cursing in the Bible; Anger › Religious aspects; Bible. O.T. Psalms—Theology
- ISBNs: 9781725292390, 9781725292406, 9781725292413, 1725292394, 1725292408, 1725292416
- Resource ID: LLS:IMPRECPSLMS
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-08-29T15:57:42Z