"Is it right that David prays so vehemently against his enemies?"This question led me to list the characteristics and deeds of the wicked (in Psalms 9 and 10) to see if there's some answer.
Well, after this little exercise I was really shocked by the profile of the wicked. It's not difficult to find real-life examples in newspapers, the Bible. our own contacts and on internet pages about the persecuted church. (Here is a link)
As for what seems to have been harsh prayers on David's behalf, there are at least 3 points to take into account:
1) The wicked is no playful kitten.
2) David leaves the vengence with his God.
3) David wept for his own son Absalom and showed mercy to Saul when he could easily have killed him. The other example that comes to mind is David inviting the offspring of his enemy to live with him in the palace. There are probably many other examples.
The Profile of the Wicked as seen in Psalm 9 and 10:
- The wicked are violent bullies
They are wicked and shed blood unjustly.
He plans, slays and murders the innocent
Under his strength, his victims are crushed.
Under his might, they collapse, fall and sink down.
They afflict and oppress.
The wicked man, in his arrogance and pride, hotly pursues, hunts down and persecutes the weak.
The wicked man’s ways are always prosperous and persistent.
- The talk of the wicked
His mouth is full of lies, cursing, deceit and threats.
His talk is about trouble, iniquity and evil.
He boasts and sings praises about the cravings of his heart’s desires
He blesses those who are greedy for gain.
He sneers and sniffs at all his enemies.
He says to himself, “God will never notice, God never sees” He has forgotten.
The wicked man reviles, spurns and condemns God and believes/thinks God will not call him to account.
He says to himself, “Nothing will shake me, I won’t be moved.
He swears, “No one will do me harm, I’ll never need anything, never.
- The wicked and God.
They hate God and persecute His people.
They forget God
He reviles, spurns and despises, renounces and curses the Lord.
In his pride, the wicked man does not seek God or yearn for God.
All he thinks is that there is no God and God does not punish.
He rejects God’s laws.
He says to himself, “God will never notice, God never sees” He has forgotten
The wicked man reviles, spurns and condemns God and believes/thinks God will not call him to account.
- The wicked are devious schemers.
They dig pits and hide nets.
The weak are caught in the schemes he devises.
He spies on his victims, the poor and unfortunate.
Like a lion he waits for, catches and drags off the helpless and the poor in his net.
- Wicked people brim and bristle with false and arrogant confidence
He says to himself, “Nothing will shake me, I won’t be moved
He swears, “No one will do me harm, I’ll never need anything, never.
All he thinks is that there is no God and God does not punish.
He says to himself, “God will never notice, God never sees” He has forgotten.
The wicked man reviles, spurns and condemns God and believes/thinks God will not call him to account.
