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Why Does the Bible Include Curses?
Psalm 109
Andy Nagahara
There are parts of the Bible that baffle me as to why it says so many terrible things. Today’s verse is no different. The title is “A Psalm of David. The title is “A Song of Praise,” but the content is clearly “A Psalm of David. A Curse”.
In Romans 12:14, Paul says, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them,” but who is right, Paul or the Psalmist? In a word, the Bible is God’s word, but we have to read it differently in the Old and New Testaments. This is because there is a difference between “before Jesus” and “after Jesus.
On top of that, the New Testament and the Old Testament must be read through the filter of Jesus or the Gospel, otherwise we will fail to receive God’s intentions literally.
In conclusion, the reason why the Bible even records curse words is to let us know that God is the one who turns even our curse words into blessings. Let’s consider this in the context of today’s text.
1. The situation of the psalmist (1-5)
It is a long psalm, so I won’t read the whole thing. Instead, I will divide it into three parts. The first part, up to verse 5, is the psalmist’s appeal to God about his situation. Let’s read it.
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. O God, whom I praise, do not remain silent, for wicked and deceitful men have opened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying tongues. With words of hatred, they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship, they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship. (1-5)
It is apparent from the reading that the tormentors of the poet are not outright enemies, like foreign armies. On the contrary, they seem to be people closer to him, as when he says that he loves and does good, but they return evil and hatred. And yet, God has nothing to say about it. He is saying, “Don’t be silent”. I’m sure you can relate to this thought, can’t you? I think we can all relate to this thought, because it is a situation that we all fall into, and we are often annoyed by God’s silence.
Many people assume that it is forbidden to complain to God or to curse others. If we take Paul’s “Do not curse” literally, that would be the case. However, that does not explain why the curse words in this Psalm are recorded in the Bible. God accepts our complaints. Although not always with pleasure, He still accepts our curses against those who torment us.
2. God who embraces even curse words and turns them into blessings. (6-25)
This part of the psalm can be interpreted as a curse by the opponent (or antagonist) against the poet, but since the poet also clearly curses the antagonist in a later part of the psalm, the interpretation does not change the essence of the psalm. The antagonist and the poet are cursing each other. Let’s read part of how the poet curses his opponent in verses 6-25.
Appoint an evil man to oppose him; let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayers condemn him. May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership. May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow. May his children be wandering beggars; may they be driven from their ruined homes. May a creditor seize all he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his labor. May no one extend kindness to him or take pity on his fatherless children. May his descendants be cut off, their names blotted out from the next generation. (6-13)
The Bible is supposed to be the word of God, but didn’t God censor it? If this were Twitter, the account would be shut down like it happened to the account of some president. Moreover, the poet also says this to justify his curse.
For he never thought of doing a kindness but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted. He loved to pronounce a curse–may it come on him; he found no pleasure in blessing– may it be far from him. (16,17)
The poet is merely returning a curse with a curse. We say it too. However, there are parts of his words that lead to hope, where we can see the light ahead.
But you, O Sovereign LORD, deal well with me for your name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me. (21,22)
In situations where only curse words come out of the mouth, we can see here that while actually spitting out curse words, the feeling of knowing one’s helplessness and seeking God’s involvement has not disappeared. God will respond to this feeling.
3. We can have confidence in God’s blessing despite our imperfections (26-31)
Let’s read verses 26 -28
Help me, O LORD my God; save me in accordance with your love. Let them know that it is your hand, that you, O LORD, have done it. They may curse, but you will bless; when they attack, they will be put to shame, but your servant will rejoice. (26-28)
God really does intervene during our inability to tolerate each other and the exchange of curse words. He will turn a blind eye to our words of bitterness and resentment toward one another. But He will not remain silent when it comes to rebellion against His justice and love.
So we are not asked to do things on the level of saying or not saying curse words, but we are asked to do God’s love and justice. Who best exemplifies God’s love and justice? Jesus, of course. But it is not something that can be learned by simply repeatedly reading the words and deeds of Jesus in the Gospels repeatedly.
When we read, when we pray, when we listen, when we discuss, when we sincerely desire the work of God’s Spirit, (when we seek) the Holy Spirit, and express it in our daily actions, (God’s love and justice) will gradually become part of us. It doesn’t matter how talented or experienced you are. The last two verses of the Psalm tell us that Jesus is the filter through which we can correctly see not only the Bible but the world if we continue to worship the Lord with joy and gratitude.
With my mouth I will greatly extol the LORD; in the great throng I will praise him. For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him. (30,31)
(Prayer) Dear God, we follow the Psalmist’s example and praise you. No matter how unfair the world may seem, we trust that your love and justice will overcome the curse and evil. We wait in expectation, believing that you will reward each of us with your best. Please give us the strength to persevere. Make us people who know and do Your love and justice. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ.
Summary
As humans pursue their own ideas of justice and curse one another, God reveals his love and justice without taking sides. What God desires from us is not to follow the teachings of the Bible in a superficial way, but to live out the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit, and in doing so, reveal God’s love and justice in the world.
For Discussion
- When do you find yourself cursing other people?
- What is Jesus’ filter?
For Discussion
Even children have said terrible things about someone. Tell them that God is sad about it, but not angry. It is more important to just know what God thinks as much as possible and try to act accordingly, rather than following what is written. This is because on the surface, the Bible contains conflicting and contradictory things.