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This verse is taken from:
Psalm 79
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“search the scriptures” John 5:39
Observe the contrast between these two requests in verses 6, 9. The Psalm (along with Psalm 74) has been dated at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans (cp. v. 1 with 2 Kings 25. 9). The writer recognizes his own and his nation’s guilt as having brought down God’s judgment upon them. He appeals to the Lord, “Remember not against us the iniquities of our forefathers; let thy tender mercies speedily come to meet us: for we are brought very low”, v. 8 J.N.D. In that prayer he puts the blame for their distress on earlier generations of Israelites. In the following verse, however, he confesses to sharing their guilt, and prays, “Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake”.
All Christians should feel the appropriateness of that plea. Confession of sins secures the promise of forgiveness and cleansing, 1 John 1. 9; this should swiftly follow conviction, to gain prompt recovery of fellowship with our Father.
But how are we to view the other request referred to in our title, as fully stated in verse 6, “Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name”? The same desire for revenge recurs later, “Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed”, v. 10; see also verse 12. Undoubtedly the psalmist had witnessed appalling carnage by Israel’s enemies (verses 2, 3 make horrific reading). Does that justify his thirst for revenge? His law could have taught him otherwise, “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart… Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’, Lev. 19. 17, 18; Rom. 12. 20.
There are two lessons for the Christian here: (i) “Father, forgive” is our Saviour’s response to human provocation; (ii) C. S. Lewis writes “we must avoid so maltreating people as to provoke in them an ugly thirst for revenge even if only a pale reflection of that expressed here”.
“Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps”, 1 Pet. 2. 21.
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