The Imprecation

“For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.” -Psalm 5:9–10

In verse eight, David cited his reason for praying for God’s leadership and protection—because of his enemies. Here in verse nine, he lays out their sins. He catalogs the sins of his enemies: They are deceitful; they are destructive; their slander is murderous; and, they hide it all with flattering words.

In verse ten, David makes an imprecation, that God would hold them accountable for their rebellion against God, and they would fall prey to their own evil devices. This is not the prayer of an angry or bitter man, but the prayer of one who knows the wages of sin is death and prays accordingly.

But this is the intrinsic nature of evil. Evil is not ontological—it does not possess an existence of its own—it is a privation. Evil is the very act of turning from God and his good gifts (i.e., Their mouths, throats, and tongues used to conceal the wicked devices of their hearts instead of using them to praise God and speak the truth.)

The end of sin is always death.“Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.” -Proverbs 26:27