The recent execution of 21 Coptic Christians in Libya by the murderous Islamic group ISIS has prompted appropriate and helpful Christian reflections (see here and here). But one question I have yet to see asked is, “Is it time now to pray the imprecatory Psalms?”

I hear a frequent refrain in Reformed and evangelical circles that Christians should pray the imprecatory Psalms (i.e., those that invoke God’s curse on particular enemies and plead for their imminent destruction; e.g., Ps 58:6-11, 68:21-23, 69:23-29, 109:5-19; 137:7-9) only against those enemies of God who manifest prolonged, high-handed rebellion against him and commit atrocities against his people (surely ISIS fits the bill). Related to this understanding, I also hear that Jesus’ ethic of “love your enemy” is the Christian’s default mode in prayer, but the imprecatory Psalms are the “nuclear option”–they are to be launched only after careful consideration of the occasion and self-assessment of proper motives, but launched nonetheless when necessary: If Bob the accountant steals your stapler, “Pray for those who persecute you” (Matt 5:44); but if Abu Bakr and his minions torch your home, “Let them be like the snail that dissolves into slime” (Ps 58:8).

… continue reading on Reformation 21. 

Read More On Eschatology, Imprecatory Psalms, Interpretation, ISIS, Psalms, public theology

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