Imprecatory Psalms: are they Christlike?

Both the Upper and Lower Houses of Convocation (Anglican) appear to be of the opinion that the Book of Psalms needs careful editing by modern divines. We are forced to this conclusion by their recent discussions. The question of reprisals against Germany occasioned the discussions. Ps. Iviii. was particularly objected to by some because of its stern imprecatory language. Such language was declared to be “un-Christlike in character." To this it was objected that to “omit a righteous call for vengeance was not only to misrepresent Christianity, but to get out of touch with the moral feeling of the country." What the latter has to do with the wording of the Scriptures was not explained. It is surely conceivable that the moral feeling of any country might at any time be quite contrary to the whole tenor of Holy Scripture!
Such discussions raise a very serious question for us all. Who is the real author of the Psalms—David, Asaph, or GOD? If the Psalms are merely human productions, then possibly the superior learning of this time might improve them considerably; but if indeed they are Divine productions, let men beware how they lay their unholy hands upon them. The Lord Jesus once declared, "David himself said by the Holy Ghost" (Mark xii. 36). Peter, speaking after the Lord's departure concerning the treachery of Judas, said, "Brethren, this Scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake (Acts i. 16). There is no mistaking the purport of these utterances. Clearly, both our Lord and His apostle regarded the Holy Spirit as the real Author of David's writings. Do the recently assembled prelates and clergy believe this? If they do, how dare they tamper with the inspired words? But if, on the other hand, they do not believe in the Divine authorship of Holy Scripture, their position as the professed leaders and teachers of the people is a truly solemn one, and our hearts may well tremble for those who give heed to them.
The question is not only as to the imprecatory Psalms; all Scripture is involved. The same claims are made for the Psalter as for every other book of the Bible. If the one is discredited, all are discredited; if the one must fall, all must fall. Truly we are living in critical times when all that has been given to us as a resting-place for faith should thus be jeopardised!
It is urged that such language as "the righteous shall rejoice when he seeth vengeance; he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked" is un-Christlike in character. If it were meant that the language does not suit the attitude of Christ during this dispensation, it would be true; but if we are intended to understand that it never could, under any circumstances, suit Him, the prelates stand convicted of the profoundest spiritual ignorance.
What does Rev. xix. 11-21, tell us of our Lord's attitude in the day of His public appearing, now so very near? The language is highly symbolical, we admit, but no one can well mistake the significance of the symbols employed. He comes forth riding upon a white horse. This is suggestive of victorious power. Lowliness (as expressed in the ass and its colt) has been exchanged for warrior-might. His eyes flash fire, He is clothed with a vesture dipped in blood; out of His mouth goes a sharp two-edged sword, and He treads the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God. Isaiah Ixiii, 1-6, strikingly agrees with Rev. xix, and there the Lord is heard saying, "The day of vengeance is in Mine heart, and the year of My redeemed is come. I will tread down the people in Mine anger and make them drunk in My fury."
This language is remarkably like that of Psalm lviii, and it is predicted of Christ Himself! What then becomes of the statement that imprecatory sentiments are "un- Christlike in character?" Manifestly the day will come when the same gracious lips which once said, "Come unto Me and I will give you rest" will denounce in the sternest tones the enemies of Himself and His people.
The key to the seeming inconsistency lies in the different character of various dispensations. The Psalms were written in an age characterized by judicial righteousness. In that age, God could use Israel as His scavengers for the land of Canaan, the inhabitants of which had become so unspeakably foul that the Divine long-suffering could tolerate them no longer (Gen. xv. 16; Lev. xviii. 24-30). The people must be exterminated root and branch. Israel's own safety demanded that the moral ulcer be cut right out.
But God is upon no such line in this age. The Only Begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, having come into the world, all the goodness and grace of the Divine heart are now told out. Grace to men of every nation is now proclaimed, with wonderful forbearance exercised towards every manner of iniquity. This attitude of Divine forbearance will ere long be abandoned, and wrath will burst forth from Heaven. The Spirit's present counsel is, "Kiss the Son, lest He be angry and ye perish in the way, for His wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that take refuge in Him" (Psalm ii. 12, N.T.).
The Psalms not only speak of what was suitable for the age of judicial righteousness in which David lived; they are also prophetic in their character, looking on to the great day of Divine intervention in power, of which Rev. xix, and Isa. Ixiii (quoted above) speak so plainly. Psalms ii, xlv. 1, lxxii, should suffice to prove this to the most cursory reader.
If the Prelates have no light as to the dispensational actings of God, it would be humility on their part to say so, and much blessing might result, to their own souls and to the souls of others. But the pride that mutilates and rejects what it cannot understand, leads only to ruin.
Never was there such urgent need for those who fear God and reverence His Word to be on their watch-towers as today. Under cover of the excitement caused by the present unhappy war, every form of destructive heresy is being industriously promulgated, new and old superstitions are being fostered, and much that is good and holy is being ruthlessly trampled in the mire. The Lord preserve the feet of His own! W. W. F.
"The Hebrew Christian Alliance Quarterly" 1919