Psalm 16:4 And Prayer For The Wicked
Psalm 16:4, in the King James Version, states: "Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips" [1]. This verse expresses the psalmist's commitment to Yahweh alone, rejecting idolatry and its associated practices.
The literary context of Psalm 16 is a prayer or declaration of trust in God. The psalmist begins by seeking preservation from God (Psalm 16:1) and affirms God as his only good (Psalm 16:2). He expresses delight in the saints on earth (Psalm 16:3) before contrasting his devotion with the fate of idolaters in verse 4. The psalm continues with the psalmist's confidence in his inheritance in God (Psalm 16:5-6) and his reliance on God's counsel (Psalm 16:7). The psalm concludes with a declaration of hope in God's presence and the promise of eternal life (Psalm 16:8-11).
Historically, the Psalms are a collection of poetic and prayerful texts, many attributed to David, reflecting the religious life of ancient Israel. They were composed over a period of centuries and served various functions in Israelite worship and personal devotion. Psalm 16, in particular, is often understood as a psalm of individual lament or trust, expressing the personal faith of the psalmist in the face of temptation or adversity [14].
Key terms in Psalm 16:4 include "another god," referring to deities other than Yahweh, the God of Israel. The phrase "drink offerings of blood" points to pagan sacrificial practices, which often involved blood rituals. The psalmist's refusal to "take up their names into my lips" signifies a complete rejection of these false gods, refusing even to acknowledge them verbally. This aligns with other biblical injunctions against idolatry, such as the prohibition against mentioning the names of other gods found in Exodus 23:13 [4].
The verse highlights a major exegetical decision regarding the psalmist's stance on the wicked. While the psalmist rejects the practices of those who follow "another god," the broader biblical tradition offers various perspectives on how to relate to the wicked. For instance, Proverbs 16:4 states that "The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster" [2]. This suggests a divine sovereignty over all, including the wicked, who are destined for judgment [7, 8, 9]. The wicked are often depicted as those who plan evil (Proverbs 4:16) and whose afflictions are multiplied [11, 5].
However, the Bible also contains calls to pray for the afflicted, though this typically refers to those suffering rather than those actively engaged in wickedness [6]. The question of praying for the wicked, particularly for their downfall, is a complex one. Some psalms contain imprecatory prayers, where the psalmist asks God to bring judgment upon his enemies. For example, Psalm 35:4 (NASB) states, "Let those be ashamed and dishonored who seek my life; Let those be turned back and humiliated who devise evil against me" [3]. Similarly, Psalm 140:4 (KJV) asks, "Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings" [1]. These prayers reflect a desire for divine justice against those who actively oppose God and His people [10].
Patristic thought, as seen in Augustine's writings, addresses the nature of prayer, cautioning against asking for things that ought not to be asked. Augustine notes that while one should ask for life, wishing for the death of enemies, even from God, is problematic [13]. This suggests a nuanced approach to prayers concerning the wicked, distinguishing between a desire for justice and a desire for personal vengeance. The Babylonian Talmud also discusses the lack of eulogies for the wicked, indicating a societal rejection of honoring those who have lived wickedly, even if they have righteous relatives [12].
Psalm 16:4, therefore, functions as a clear statement of exclusive devotion to Yahweh and a rejection of idolatry. It sets the psalmist apart from those who pursue other gods, whose path leads to sorrow. While the psalm itself does not explicitly pray for the wicked, it implicitly contrasts the blessedness of the righteous with the multiplied sorrows of those who turn away from God. The broader biblical and theological tradition grapples with the appropriate response to the wicked, ranging from prayers for their judgment to a recognition of God's ultimate sovereignty over their fate.
Sources
- King James Version “[KJV] Psalms 140:4 — Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings.”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 16:4 (BSB) — The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.”
- Psalms “Psalms 35:4 (NASB) — Let those be ashamed and dishonored who seek my life; Let those be turned back and humiliated who devise evil against me.”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Psalms 16:4 cross-references: Genesis 35:14, Exodus 23:13, Leviticus 23:13, Joshua 23:7, Psalms 32:10, Psalms 97:7, Psalms 106:37, Isaiah 57:6, Isaiah 65:11, Isaiah 66:3, Jeremiah 7:18, Hosea 2:16, Jonah 2:8, Revelation 14:9, Revelation 18:4”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions of the Wicked, The — God is glorified in -- Ex 14:4; Eze 38:22,23. God holds in derision -- Ps 37:13; Pr 1:26,27. Are multiplied -- De 31:17; Job 20:12-18; Ps 32:10. Are continual -- Job 15:20; Ec 2:23; Isa 32:10. Are often sudden -- Ps 73:10; Pr 6:15; Isa 30:13; Re 18:10. Are often judicially sent -- Job 21:17; Ps 107:17; Jer 30:15. Are for examples to others -- Ps 64:7-9; Zep 3:6,7; 1Co 10:5-11; 2Pe 2:6. Are ineffectual of themselves, for their conversion -- Ex 9:30; Isa 9:13; Jer 2:30; Hag 2:17. Their persecution of saints, a cause of -- De 30:7; Ps 55”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted, Duty Toward The — To pray for them -- Ac 12:5; Php 1:16,19; Jas 5:14-16. To sympathise with them -- Ro 12:15; Ga 6:2. To pity them -- Job 6:14. To bear them in mind -- Heb 13:3. To visit them -- Jas 1:27. To comfort them -- Job 16:5; 29:25; 2Co 1:4; 1Th 4:18. To relieve them -- Job 31:19,20; Isa 58:10; Php 4:14; 1Ti 5:10. To protect them -- Ps 82:3; Pr 22:22; 31:5.”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 16:4: for himself--"for its answer," or "purpose," that is, according to God's plan; the wicked are for the day of evil (Psa 49:5; Jer 17:18); sinning and suffering answer to each other, are indissolubly united.”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 16:4: 16:4 The wicked will have trouble in this life and in death. Nothing is outside of God’s control (see also Rom 9:10-24; 2 Pet 2:9).”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Proverbs 16:4: even the wicked man He made, to leave him for the day of evil. All this is for His praise.”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 31:16: Make . . . shine--(Compare Num 6:25; Psa 4:6). Deprecating from himself, he imprecates on the wicked God's displeasure, and prays that their virulent persecution of him may be stopped.”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 4:16: 4:16 The wicked stay up at night to plan evil (Ps 36:4; Mic 2:1).”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 46b.23: The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a proof from the curse pronounced by Jeremiah upon the wicked: “They shall not be eulogized, nor shall they be buried” (Jeremiah 16:4). If you say that a eulogy is delivered due to the honor of the living, why should the wicked not be eulogized, as perhaps they are survived by righteous people who are worthy of this honor? The Gemara answers: It is not satisfactory to the righteous when they are honored through the wicked, and therefore they prefer that a eulogy not be delivered for their wicked relatives.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — ON THE LORD'S PRAYER IN ST. MATTHEW'S GOSPEL, CHAP. VI. 9, ETC. TO THE COMPETENTES.(4) (part 2): Apostles, and 275 Martyrs, from the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from God who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all things in them, from Him must we ask whatsoever we have to ask. But we must beware that we ask not of Him that which we ought not to ask. If because we ought to ask for life, thou ask it of dumb and deaf idols, what doth it profit thee? So if from God the Father, who is in heaven, thou dost wish for the death of thine enemies, w”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — PSALM CXL.(1) (part 1): 1. Our Lords have bidden me, brethren, and in them the Lord of all, to bring this Psalm to your understanding, so far as God giveth me to. May He help your prayers, that I may say those things which I ought to say, ye to hear, that to all of us the Word of God may be profitable. For all it doth not profit, for "all have not faith."(2) ... 2. What this Psalm containeth, I believe that ye perceived when it was being chanted;' for therein the Church of Christ, set in the midst of the wicked, complaineth and groaneth, and pour”