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Psalm 55:19 "God will give ear, and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old; because they keep no law, and do not fear God."

 

David is lamenting having been betrayed by people he trusted. "My companion", David says "stretched out his hand against his friends ... His speech was smoother than butter, yet war was in his heart" (Psalm 55:20-21). But David knows God will hear his prayer and humble these "men of blood and treachery." (Psalm 55:23).

 

David is asking God not for retribution, but rather to humble his betrayers. Being humbled is a very difficult thing, but it is not meant to defeat someone. David's enemies need to learn their place in God's plan, just as David did. David was humbled when he put his own desires over God's (as with Bathsheba), but he took the correction and it strengthened his relationship with God. David is now asking God to do the same for his enemies. He might think that in their case it will require some pretty harsh treatment for them to be humbled (and he might be OK with that!), but he is not hoping for their destruction.

 

This is the way we should pray for our enemies, even those who have hurt us very badly. We should not ask for them to suffer, but rather pray, hope, and trust that they will be humbled enough to be brought back into right relationship with God.