Psalms 137, 58, & 109

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/ps137/" target="_blank"><strong>website.</strong></a></p><p><strong>Review</strong></p><ul><li>Our seventh lesson, on Psalm 51, most epitomized the theme of this series, <i>Drawing Near to God. </i>Honest confession makes for vital relationships, including our all-important relationship with God.</li><li>And yet although honesty is commendable, the Psalms actually contain some prayers that are sub-Christian in content and attitude.</li><li>Accordingly, our eighth lesson is entitled “Prayers You Shouldn’t Pray.”</li></ul><p><strong>Imprecatory psalms</strong></p><ul><li>Praying against (one's enemies)</li><li>Latin: <i>prex</i> (prayer) + <i>in</i> (against)</li><li>There are many imprecations in the Bible, although this podcast discusses only three.<ul><li>137:7-9</li><li>58:6-11</li><li>109:3-13, 21-31</li></ul></li><li>C. S. Lewis and others noted: when the ancient Jews come to God, they ask for justice; when Christians come, they ask for mercy.</li></ul><p><strong>The O.T. and Enemies</strong></p><ul><li>The imprecatory psalms are in tension with the O.T. ideal of treating one’s enemies well.<ul><li>Exodus 23:4-5</li><li>Leviticus 19:17-18</li><li>Proverbs 24:17, 25:21</li><li>2 Kings 6:20-23</li></ul></li><li>In a way, praying the imprecatory prayers was a way of obeying God's command not to take revenge. It's all left in God's hands; he is being implored to do what he said he would do and deal with Israel's enemies.</li><li>The O.T. seems to say more about war than about peace, yet peace is always the ultimate goal.<ul><li>Zechariah 14:16</li><li>Isaiah 11:6-9, 9:6</li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>The higher standard</strong></p><ul><li>Matthew 5:43-48</li><li>It was completely normal to be kind to the insider; the outsider (non-Israelite) was the other, the enemy.</li><li>Did Jesus not teach the brotherhood of man? Brothers not in the sense of salvation, but origin. God is the Father of us all, if not in the salvifi