Praying For Vengeance In Biblical Context
Prayers for vengeance, often called imprecatory prayers, appear in various biblical texts, particularly in the Psalms and prophetic books. These prayers typically ask God to bring judgment or punishment upon enemies [8, 9, 10, 14]. For instance, Psalm 149:7 speaks of executing "vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples" [2]. Similarly, Psalm 43:1 asks God to "Vindicate me, God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation" [3]. Another example is Psalm 69:18, where the psalmist prays, "Draw near to my soul, and redeem it. Ransom me because of my enemies" [5].
The Old Testament often presents God as the one to whom vengeance ultimately belongs. Deuteronomy 32:35 states, "Vengeance is mine, and recompense, at the time when their foot slides" [1]. This concept is echoed in the New Testament in Romans 12:19, which advises believers not to seek revenge but to "give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, 'Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord'" [4].
Scholarly interpretations of these prayers vary. Some scholars suggest that Old Testament figures like Jeremiah, when praying for vengeance, were asking God to fulfill promised curses against those who violated His covenant [8]. Jeremiah's desire for vengeance is seen by some as not personal, but ministerial, aligning with God's revealed purpose against His and His servant's enemies [13].
However, the New Testament emphasizes a different approach to enemies. Jesus taught his followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them [7]. The Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that revenge is forbidden by Christ and is inconsistent with a Christian spirit [6]. Instead of seeking revenge, believers are encouraged to trust in God, exhibit love, and overcome evil with kindness [6]. Christ himself set an example of forbearance, not retaliating when he was reviled [6]. Augustine, a patristic father, discusses how Paul, in his view, avenged Stephen, but this is framed within the context of God's righteous judgment against those who persevere in sin, rather than personal retribution [12]. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, acknowledges that while some zeal might be present, a "fervid, and therefore vicious longing for vengeance" is not approved by God, even if God sometimes assents to such prayers [11].
Sources
- Deuteronomy “Vengeance is mine, and recompense, at the time when their foot slides; for the day of their calamity is at hand. Their doom rushes at them.” -- Deuteronomy 32:35”
- Psalms “To execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples; -- Psalms 149:7”
- Psalms “Vindicate me, God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation. Oh, deliver me from deceitful and wicked men. -- Psalms 43:1”
- Romans “Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” -- Romans 12:19”
- Psalms “Draw near to my soul, and redeem it. Ransom me because of my enemies. -- Psalms 69:18”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Revenge — Forbidden by our Lord -- Le 19:18; Pr 24:17,29; Mt 5:39-41; Ro 12:17,19; 1Th 5:15; 1Pe 3:9. Christ an example of forbearing -- Isa 53:7; 1Pe 2:23. Rebuked by Christ -- Lu 9:54,55. Inconsistent with Christian spirit -- Lu 9:55. Proceeds from a spiteful heart -- Eze 25:15. Instead of taking, we should Trust in God. -- Pr 20:22; Ro 12:16. Exhibit love. -- Le 19:18; Lu 6:35. Give place to wrath. -- Ro 12:19. Exercise forbearance. -- Mt 5:38-41. Bless. -- Ro 12:14. Overcome others by kindness. -- Pr 25:21,22; Ro 12:20. Keep others from taking -- 1Sa 24:10; 25:24”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Enemies — Christ prayed for his -- Lu 23:34. The lives of, to be spared -- 1Sa 24:10; 2Sa 16:10,11. The goods of, to be taken care of -- Ex 23:4,5. Should be Loved. -- Mt 5:44. Prayed for. -- Ac 7:60. Assisted. -- Pr 25:21; Ro 12:20. Overcome by kindness. -- 1Sa 26:21. Rejoice not at the misfortunes of -- Job 31:29. Rejoice not at the failings of -- Pr 24:17. Desire not the death of -- 1Ki 3:11. Curse them not -- Job 31:30. Be affectionately concerned for -- Ps 35:13. The friendship of, deceitful -- 2Sa 20:9,10; Pr 26:26; 27:6; Mt 26:48,49. God defends against -- Ps ”
- Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 18:21: 18:21-23 In his prayer for vengeance, Jeremiah asked God to fulfill his promised curses against those who violated his covenant (cp. Deut 27:11-26; 28:15-68; see also “Prayers for Vengeance” Theme Note).”
- Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 51:35: 51:35 Make Babylon suffer as she made us suffer: See “Prayers for Vengeance” Theme Note.”
- Lamentations (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Lamentations 3:64: 3:64-66 This prayer for vengeance is similar to several psalms (see “Prayers for Vengeance” Theme Note).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: ( Judges 9:20 ); and hence God, by complying with the execration, seems to approve of passionate impulses. Similar fervor also seized Samson, when he prayed, “Strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes,” ( Judges 16:28 ). For although there was some mixture of good zeal, yet his ruling feeling was a fervid, and therefore vicious longing for vengeance. God assents, and hence apparently it might be inferred that prayers are effectual, though not framed in confor”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. XXII.--73. But the question before us is rendered more urgent by what the Apostle John says: "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and the Lord shall give (part 4): so that the flesh is brought under subjection to the spirit; partly by the condemnation of those who persevere in sin, so that they are righteously disposed of in such a way that they cannot be troublesome to the righteous who reign with Christ. Look at the Apostle Paul; does it not seem to you that he avenges the martyr Stephen in his ”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 11:20: triest . . . heart-- (Rev 2:23). revealed--committed my cause. Jeremiah's wish for vengeance was not personal but ministerial, and accorded with God's purpose revealed to him against the enemies alike of God and of His servant (Psa 37:34; Psa 54:7; Psa 112:8; Psa 118:7).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 10:15: 10:15 The psalmist strongly invokes a curse as he prays (see “Prayers for Vengeance” Theme Note). • Arms represent an ability to wage war (18:34; 44:3).”