Finding Yourself in the Psalms

Psalm 109

A Psalm When People Treat you Badly

David is oppressed by treachery. Note v. 4-5

1-5 The Complaint

6-20 The Curse (exp v 8, 13)

21-31 The Comfort

1. David asked GOD to carry out the judgment
2. David is concerned with God’s righteousness, not his own vindication
3. These are genuine thoughts of an afflicted man. There is no cover-up.
How do we pray for those who treat us badly? How do we act toward those tho treat us badly?
1. To be like Christ means that we must forgive those who hate us.
a. (1 Peter 2:21-23) "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you,

leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no

sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly."

b. (Luke 23:34) "Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they

are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots."

2. Christ instituted a New Covenant a. Matthew 5:38
b. Matthew 5:44
3. Our enemies are those who do not know Christ.
a. A word of GRACE will bring more conviction than a wise-crack
b. An act of forgiveness will accomplish more than a victorious law suit.
4. Our greatest struggles are not with the unsaved, but rather those who profess to know
Christ.
a. It’s easier to turn the other cheek, than to remove the knife from your back
b. It’s easier to say “he doesn’t know the Lord,” than “what did I do to deserve this?”
i. PAUL – 2 Cor 1:12-2:4
5. When a professing Christian will not repent, they are to separate from them. 1 Cor 5:4
6. We must protect God’s flock from intruders and those who give in to the flesh.
7. When the unsaved attack us, we must not retaliate.
a. (Romans 12:17) "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody."
b. (1 Peter 3:9) "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."
8. By doing this, we demonstrate the character of Christ