How do we reconcile the praying down of curses in what is called the 'imprecatory' Psalms (Pss 137:9)
“Blessed is the one who takes your infants and dashes them against the rock!”1

With the explicit teaching of Jesus in the New Testament (Matt 5:43-44)?

“You have heard it said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But now I am telling you to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you .”2


It seems, at first, to be a question at odds with itself - a contradiction in terms! Yet both the above verses are inspired scripture, for all scripture is 'God breathed.... and profitable' for all Christians. It is a question that has raised many concerns with varied and colourful answers and yet to countless saints down the centuries a source of comfort.

Although, we as Christians do not pray for the destruction, cursing or any other ill will on anyone. We do at least need to think carefully about this subject. When we possibly in prayer say something like 'Come Lord Jesus, come quickly', do we only have in mind our own benefit of eternal life?

think of the Lords prayer “ our father in heaven hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, what do we think of when we pray this? Do we have a balanced view?
By reading the commentary (abridged in parts) of Charles Spurgeon. I pray that we all can understand better these Psalms and their meaning within the Biblical meta-narrative