Praying for Divine Judgement
Psalm 109 is an example of an imprecatory prayer by David, the king of Israel, praying for justice upon the wicked. When it comes to people who mistreat us and persecution us we are told in Scripture to not seek revenge. He has given governments the authority to dole out punishment of the wicked.
David begins in 109:1-5 with a heartfelt prayer to God speaking of those who have attacked him without cause. They have repaid his friendship with hatred. His only recourse is to go to God in prayer. Brethren, there will be times in your life when people will return your love with hatred. You will have no recourse but to turn to God in prayer.
David now prays to God for justice to be done upon the wicked who persecute him (109:6-20). David is praying for the destruction of the wicked in a legal setting (109:6-13). He is asking that the wicked experience no mercy, for they have shown none. There ill gotten gains will be seized and his family who have enjoyed their wealth, will experience poverty like all those who have been oppressed. There sins will not be forgotten after their deaths (109:14). Their unatoned sins will be before the Lord on the day of judgement.
The wicked are due this judgment because they did not show mercy and kindness and instead persecuted the righteous (109:16). They only sought for their own ends and did not think of others. Their cursing others became a lifestyle that never left them (109:17-19). Their reward will be judgement.
David ends his psalm with a cry to the Lord for His deliverance from his circumstances (109:21-22), and help (109:26). He gives praise to the Lord trusting in God as the believer’s hope and defender (109:3-31)