The Imprecatory Psalms, with Trevor Laurence

Trevor Laurence helps Derek and Andrew navigate the theological and liturgical minefields of the imprecatory psalms.

Trevor Laurence

Christians are told to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, but should we also pray for justice and judgment to befall our enemies? Trevor Laurence, Executive Director of the Cateclesia Institute, joins Derek and Andrew to discuss the imprecatory psalms and their implications in the Christian Life, their biblical-theological framework, and how they can and should be incorporated in our liturgy and worship.

Timestamps

0:00
Introduction + the definition of imprecatory psalms
3:30
Why we avoid or dismiss the imprecatory psalms
5:15
What context is given as to why these psalms are included in the psalter?
7:00
What biblical-theological framework should we have when reading these psalms?
15:00
Are we supposed to read these and think of enemies like Isis today, or should we only apply these psalms to Christ on his way to Calvary?
23:00
How do these psalms ethically apply to the Christian Life, should we pray for violent justice to befall our enemies?
28:00
Ok, but what about psalm 137:9?
34:00
How do we incorporate the imprecatory psalms into our liturgy and worship? + Conclusion

Follow Derek, Andrew, and Alastair for more tweet-sized brilliance. Thanks to Caleb Wait for keeping us organized. Special thanks to Tim Motte for sound editing. And thanks to The Joy Eternal for lending us their music, which everybody should download out of gratitude for their kindness.

Biblical Interpretation Worship Judgment Lament
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