Community Lament Psalms

Eg. Book of Joel 1, 2

The people of God would come to God in their sorrow to ask Him to heal them, to find relief. Their
sorrow may involve themselves or an outside threat.

Sometimes when people are attacking in social or personal ways then there is a petition for justice.
These are often called imprecatory psalms.

139,109, 69 – David wrote many of these psalms

7, 35, 58, 59, 69, 83, 109, 137, 139

1. Not an expression of vindinctiveness/revenge

2. They are a plea for justice. God is king and is expected to dispense justice.
It is not a request to allow us to take control of the situation.

NT expressions – Paul - 1 Cor 16:22; Gal 1:8-9; 5:12; 2 Tim 4:14;

All Believers praying in this way - Rev 6:9-10; 1 Cor 3:17

Psalm 12

This is a psalm that has to do with the tongue. David was facing some real verbal hostility from others.

vv.1-2 – Direct address and lament

God save me (yasa – hiphil imperative)

Lack of loyalty (hesed) to the community. No one seeks to serve and be loyal to God’s people.

People speak lies (hypocrisy). Smooth lips and a double heart (a heart and a heart). Empty and yet
temporarily pleasing.

vv.3-4 – Petition

Cut of all flattery

4 -These men think that they can rule with their tongues (flattery and boasting). The art of politics and
spin.

Who is Lord over us – lawlessness. Against authority, living for themselves.

v.5 – The assertion of Confidence (God Himself addresses David!)

By reason of (min) the oppression of the oppressed and the needy, Now I will rise up!

I will set him in salvation (noun form of yasa which David had asked for)

vv. 6-8 - Confession of Trust

6 – words (utterances or promises) are sure and will not fail. Pure as opposed to false

7 –You will keep (protect) your word. Then you will protect us
8 – Yet the wicked walk (hitpael – repeated) on every side. They strut in their pride. This is the way the
world is. But God is in control (implied).