The Psalms Modern Christians Don’t Want to Sing

Can Christians love their enemies and still sing, “O LORD, God of vengeance, shine forth”?

The imprecatory Psalms contain some of the strongest language in Scripture—prayers for God to judge evil, defeat wickedness, protect His people, and vindicate His name. Yet many Christians are uncomfortable singing them at all.

In this episode of Everyday Reformation, Nick Carter is joined by Pastor Brandon Scroggins and RBC music leader Matt Shaeffer to ask why God placed these words in the hymnbook of His people—and what they teach Christians about righteous anger, justice, mercy, personal vengeance, and the character of God.

We also respond to a question raised after our previous worship episode: when Psalm 98 says to “sing a new song,” does that mean the church should move beyond singing the Psalms? We are not arguing for exclusive Psalmody. We are asking why the inspired Psalter has become almost completely absent from many churches.

Can we pray for God to save His enemies and judge them? Who actually qualifies as an enemy in the imprecatory Psalms? What do we do with the difficult language of Psalm 137? And how can these Psalms teach Christians to hate evil without becoming consumed by hatred themselves?

Beginning in October, Reformation Baptist Church will begin singing imprecatory Psalms together. This conversation explains why.

The goal is not a more angry church, but a more biblical church—one that can love enemies without making peace with evil, seek justice without taking vengeance into its own hands, and trust Jesus Christ as both merciful Savior and righteous King.

Build men. Order homes. Honor Christ.

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