Praying the Imprecatory Psalms: A Look at Psalm 2

Text:

Text:

The Messiah’s Triumph and Kingdom

1 Why do the nations rage,

And the people plot a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves,

And the rulers take counsel together,

Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,

3 “Let us break Their bonds in pieces

And cast away Their cords from us.”

4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;

The Lord shall hold them in derision.

5 Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,

And distress them in His deep displeasure:

6 “Yet I have set My King

On My holy hill of Zion.”

7 “I will declare the decree:

The Lord has said to Me,

‘You are My Son,

Today I have begotten You.

8 Ask of Me, and I will give You

The nations for Your inheritance,

And the ends of the earth for Your possession.

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron;

You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”

10 Now therefore, be wise, O kings;

Be instructed, you judges of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear,

And rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,

And you perish in the way,

When His wrath is kindled but a little.

Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

Introduction: Our lesson today

Background:

1. Praying the psalms is the best place to start when praying the Bible.

Note: They lend themselves well to prayer because they are prayers or songs sung to God.

2. What do you do when you get to the imprecatory psalms.

Note: These are psalms that demand God break the teeth of the wicked or something similar.

3. We need to look at a methodology to help us with this.

Transition: When praying the imprecatory psalms…

Exposition:

I. Look for yourself and your problems in it.

A. Remember to view yourself through the lens of scriptural truth.

1. See yourself as you naturally are.

c.f. (NKJV) — The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.

Note: We are all naturally this way.

2. See yourself as you intrinsically are.

Note: Despite the fact that we are sinners, God still put His stamp of approval on us at creation.

B. Remember to view yourself through the lens of humility.

1. Viewing the imprecatory psalms through this filter should give us a humbler attitude.

Note: We will see those who rebel against God in a slightly different light.

Illustration: Were you there when they crucified the Lord?

Answer: The way they treat the Lord of glory is debased and it's foul But you miss the point if you don't see your face in the crowd.

2. Humility will aid us in our prayer.

Note: Suddenly, prayer becomes a matter of one sinner praying for another in humility

Point: But this is an imperfect picture of who we are.

II. Look for Christ and how He can be exalted for what He has done.

A. Find the significance of Christ in all of it.

1. Many times imprecatory psalms shout Christ.

Note: certainly shouts Christ in His second coming.

2. The psalms represent some of the clearest pictures of Christ in the O.T.

Note: Once again portrays mankind’s overall attitude toward Him and how He later deals with the problem.

Transition: At the same time a humble attitude…

B. Find the significance of salvation in all of it.

1. The early church did this.

c.f. (NKJV) — 23 And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. 24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: ‘Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ 27 “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

Note: In other words the raging of nations all played into the hands of God’s eternal plan regarding salvation.

Transition: And we know Jesus…

c.f. (NKJV) — Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.

Note: The sacrifice of Christ’s death extended even to those who killed Him.

Transition: And so…

2. The psalm itself gives great hope to everyone.

Note: The last three verses are an admonition to all, even those who are raging, to stop their raging and show honor to God and trust in Him.

Point: Salvation came to everyone in the same way for the same reason.

Application: To properly pray the imprecatory prayers is to pray the destruction of evil through the furthering of the Kingdom of God by the salvation of evil people.

c.f. (NKJV) — But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.