The Psalms are filled with angry words against enemies. “The LORD laughs at wicked people, because he knows they will soon be destroyed” (Psalm 37:13). Does God really laugh at the wicked? The Psalmist would plead with God, “Punish them with the sufferings you have stored up for them; may there be enough for their children and some left over for their children’s children!” (Psalm 17:13,14). And later, “May they be like snails that dissolve into slime; may they be like a baby born dead that never sees the light.” (Psalm 58:6,7). Jeremiah would even say to God, “Happy are those who pay you back for what you have done to us – – who take your babies and smash them against a rock” (Psalm 137:8,9).
Do these verses give us the option of occasionally treating our enemies this way instead of following Jesus’ words to “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray those who mistreat you.”
[soundcloud id=’144650914′ height=’false’]