Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward. Because they do not regard the works of the Lord or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more. – Psalm 28:4–5
This is imprecatory language. Although, passages like this might jar our modern Christian sensitivities, they should not be explained away or dismissed. There is a place for such prayer, especially as it relates to the nature of this wisdom poetry. The Psalms were Israel’s (and the church’s) hymn book. As part of our worship, we are called to covenant renewal, which can only take place if there is collective memory within the community of God’s people. The Psalms are part of the common literacy of both Jewish and Christian traditions. It is true, that Christians are taught by Christ to turn the other cheek when personally assaulted i.e, insulted by violence (Matthew, Luke). But David’s prayer extends beyond personal assault. As the representative head of Israel, his prayer is illustrative of a zeal for God’s righteousness, especially as exemplified in covenant with Israel.
The imprecatory nature of the psalm further illustrates the intrinsic nature of judgment God has built into works of unbelief. He will not tolerate them and will tear them down so they cannot be built again. But as David notes, such is their due reward for evil. If we understand evil in the Augustinian sense, then we see it as the privation of that which is good. In other words, that which turns from the good turns in on itself and cannot stand by virtue of being built corruptly—faulty at its foundation.
If we are to understand bitterness or unforgiveness as holding onto an offense for fear of the offender “getting away with it,” then in a practical sense, praying by imprecation is really praying according to the will of God while simultaneously joyfully freeing ourselves from the burden of bitterness or unforgiveness. As Paul told the Roman Christians,
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. (Romans 12:19–21).