Psalm 69:22-28

Psalm 69:22-28 ESV

22 Let their own table before them become a snare;
    and when they are at peace, let it become a trap.[a]
23 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they cannot see,
    and make their loins tremble continually.
24 Pour out your indignation upon them,
    and let your burning anger overtake them.
25 May their camp be a desolation;
    let no one dwell in their tents.
26 For they persecute him whom you have struck down,
    and they recount the pain of those you have wounded.
27 Add to them punishment upon punishment;
    may they have no acquittal from you.[b]
28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living;
    let them not be enrolled among the righteous.

These are some rough verses to wrap one's mind around.  How do we align these verses from King David with Christ's teaching to love our enemies....bless those that curse us.... (Luke 6:27-35)

It took quite a bit of contemplating and meditating on these verses.  I finally happened upon one of John Piper's sermons on this text and the light came on!

If we look at Romans 15:3, Paul is encouraging us to deny ourselves rather than the desire for revenge, "Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, 'The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.'"  We need to forgive just as Christ!  So what's up with these six angry verses in Psalm 69!?

We are to forgive, "let it go", but not because there is no wrath or judgement, but because there IS.  It's just not our job to execute judgement.  I think this quote from John Piper sums it up rather well,

"The fact that GOD will do it, and that it is right for him to do it, is the very means by which we are able to follow Jesus in suffering for the sake of others who have wronged us."

Romans 12:19-21 "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of GOD, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'  To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Another line from Piper stuck out to me and I just love how it reminds us that we don't need to worry about it.

"The burning coals will be purifying if there is repentance, and punishment if there is not.  GOD will decide.  We will approve."

David surely wanted revenge, and he took his thoughts to GOD, leaving them with Him to do as He chose.