Imprecations in the Psalms: Love for Enemies in Hard Places

by Steffen G. Jenkins

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.

354 pages, Hardcover

Published February 4, 2022

Reviews

[Jonathan Ginn · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my opinion, this is the most satisfying treatment of the imprecatory psalms I have encountered so far. Jenkins carefully applies a contextually-sensitive, exegetically-rigorous canonical method to reading and interpreting some of the Psalter's most notoriously difficult psalms. He rightfully gives due consideration to the Psalter's shaping and literary structure. And he arrives at conclusions that are balanced, reasonable, and biblically faithful.

Having said that, I have a few minor complaints:

1) Jenkins's book really only addresses imprecatory psalms found in the first and final books of the Psalter. He spends minimal time in Books II-IV.

2) With the exception of a brief comment, Jenkins's interpretation of Ps 109, as compelling and thought-provoking as it is, neglects to discuss Acts 1:20's use of Ps 109:8.

3) In the concluding chapter, Jenkins's sections on the theology of the cross and a contemporary use of imprecations are regrettably very short.

[Christian Brewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 stars seems to be the consensus, but this book was quite a surprise for me. A prime lesson for not judging a book by its cover. Sorry, Pickwick, but the cover is horrible. The content, on the other hand, is fantastic. Jenkins does an incredible job examining the canonical placement of the psalms and how that helps us interpret historically difficult passages. Highly recommend for all engaged in study of the psalms.