SPOILER ALERT: If you have not yet seen the 2004 film adaptation of The Punisher, then keep in mind that I am going to talk about how this movie ends. However, to be fair, you have had eleven years to see it…
I came across Psalm 109 the other day. It stunned me. I could not help but wonder at the venom in David’s heart that spurred him on to write this psalm. And who was he writing about?? Probably Saul, who pretty much deserved it, but it is still as harsh as hate mail. Here is what I read:
When he is tried, let him come forth guilty;
let his prayer be counted as sin!
May his days be few;
may another take his office!
May his children be fatherless
and his wife a widow!
May his children wander about and beg,
seeking food far from the ruins they inhabit!
May the creditor seize all that he has;
may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil!
Let there be none to extend kindness to him,
nor any to pity his fatherless children!
Hopefully David’s friend Jonathan never read this. Questions might arise such as: “Since when did you want me to be a childless, wandering beggar?” Jonathan is Saul’s child, after all.
This passage is so far from St. Paul’s commands in Romans 12:17-21:
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
How is David repaying evil with good in this passage? This is one of the reasons why the Old Testament is so difficult to swallow sometimes. The meek don’t seem so blessed in the old days. Sometimes it seems that God desires sacrifice more than obedience after all. Sometimes the man after God’s own heart is begging for God to ruin the lives of others. Continue reading
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