Inquiry:
God says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay” (Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30; Deuteronomy 32:35), but David sought evil to come upon his enemies wives and children (Psalm 109:6-14). Is there a contradiction?
Response:
Psalm 109 is a prayer from David to God. Verse 1 reads, “Do not keep silent, O God of my praise!” He details the offenses of his enemies (verses 2-5), and then requests that the LORD judge his enemies for their wick-edness. A lengthy list of things are mentioned by David regarding the punishment of his enemies, including:
- Fatherless children & his wife a widow;
- creditors seizing his property;
- his posterity cut off;
- his family’s sins always remembered;
- etc..
Merriam-Webster lists vengeance as:
punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense: retribution
David did not injure his enemies with any of the things mentioned in Psalm 109. In fact, he pleads his case (v 1, 20-21, 26-31), with God, who alone has the right of vengeance.
There is no contradiction.
Links: YouVersion | GROW magazine
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