If you had to name the dominant emotion in our culture today, you might say “anger.” Outrage is social power, and vengeance is “justice.” At first read, Psalm 109 seems like more of the same, but as we read closely we see that God’s desire is not that we eliminate all anger, but for us to exhibit righteous anger. 

Anger is often about injustice – some law, value, or boundary has been crossed – and we feel angry. For some, anger can dominate their emotions. Still others feel they can’t admit anger or that they have been wronged. Psalm 109 challenges both forms of unhealthy anger.  

Psalm 109 teaches us that righteous anger does not call evil good, but names when we have been wronged. Verses 6-15 reveal just how deeply wronged David has been. He calls for these judgments because he wants his enemies to experience what they have done to him (v. 1-5 and v. 6-7) and to the poor and needy (v. 16-20). Righteous anger is not simply a reaction to personal offense. David was not just wronged by one individual on one occasion. There are multiple enemies (v. 2, 5, 20), multiple victims (v. 16), and an overall pattern of wickedness (v. 1-5, 17-18). Do the things which anger us fit this description? Righteous anger trusts in the steadfast love of God (v. 21, 26). David doesn’t take judgment into his own hands. He calls on God’s “steadfast love” and “faithfulness.” Like David, we can trust God to keep his promises – that he will bless those who bless, and curse those who curse. 

Even as we trust in God’s steadfast love to vindicate us, we see it was the same steadfast love that caused him to send Jesus to bear our judgment on the cross – so we pray for the conversion and transformation, even of our enemies.

Taking it Home:
How does this psalm help you reflect on your own anger?
How can you trust in God’s faithfulness to bring justice, while also praying for your enemies?