Do verses like Psalm 140:9–10 contradict the New Testament teaching of loving one's enemies (e.g., Matthew 5:44)?

Understanding the Context of Psalm 140:9–10

Psalm 140 contains what many call an “imprecatory prayer”—a plea that God would bring judgment on wrongdoing. In verses 9–10, we read:

“May the heads of those who surround me be covered

in the trouble their lips have caused.

May burning coals fall on them;

may they be thrown into the fire,

into the miry pits, never to rise again.”

This style of prayer arises from deep distress. The psalmist petitions God to intervene against violent adversaries. The language can seem severe, but it reflects an appeal for divine justice in the face of real danger. Its tone also resonates with other passages in Psalms calling for God’s protection and His intervention against those who commit evil (see Psalm 35, 69, and others).

The Imprecatory Psalms and the Principle of Divine Justice

Old Testament passages with strong language against enemies highlight the holiness and justice of God. The psalmist, in turning to Yahweh, entrusts retaliation and rightful judgment to Him rather than trying to carry it out personally. The principle “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay” is echoed both in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 32:35) and reaffirmed in the New Testament (Romans 12:19).

These psalms served as worship texts, frequently read in times of peril. They underscore a radical dependence on God’s justice rather than human revenge. Therefore, these pleas do not teach personal hatred but channel the psalmist’s anguish toward the only Righteous Judge, appealing for His fair response against wrongdoing.

New Testament Teaching on Loving One’s Enemies

In Matthew 5:44, Jesus says:

“But I tell you, love your enemies

and pray for those who persecute you.”

He instructs believers to respond to hostility with kindness, forgiveness, and humility, mirroring God’s compassion for sinners. Similar teachings appear in Luke 6:27–28 and Romans 12:14–21, where believers are urged to bless rather than curse those who harm them.

This ethic does not cancel out justice. Jesus Himself warns of the consequences of sin and calls people to repentance. He demonstrates a balance between divine mercy and God’s righteous judgment (Matthew 23; John 5:22–30). Teaching believers to love enemies is about resisting personal motives of revenge—never taking justice into one’s own hands—but instead modeling God’s grace.

Harmonizing the Themes of Justice and Love

1. Divine Justice Administered by God

Psalm 140:9–10 requests that God deal with the wicked. The psalmist does not say, “Let me destroy my enemies.” Rather, it is a plea for righteousness to prevail. In the same way, the New Testament commands love for enemies on a personal level but still affirms that God is perfectly just and will judge evil (2 Thessalonians 1:6–9).

2. Personal Love vs. God’s Righteous Judgment

Jesus’ command to love enemies addresses believers’ heart attitudes. We are never to hate or wish personal harm upon individuals. Nevertheless, Scripture maintains that those who commit evil are accountable before the Lord. In Revelation 6:10, martyrs cry out for God’s justice—yet the call remains for God to act in His timing, not for individuals to pursue revenge.

3. Progressive Revelation, Not Contradiction

The Old and New Testaments share consistent truths: God’s holiness demands that evil be addressed, and God’s mercy provides a path of repentance. Bible passages vary in emphasis—some highlight justice; others emphasize grace—but they work together, revealing a God who is both loving and just.

Examples from Church History and Scholarship

Early manuscripts of the Psalms, such as portions found among the Dead Sea Scrolls (mid-2nd century to 1st century BC), reveal the consistent transmission of these texts through time. Similar wording in later key manuscripts (e.g., the Masoretic Text tradition) underscores the accuracy and continuity of the Psalms, providing no evidence of a textual or theological discrepancy with the New Testament. Early Christian writers (e.g., Tertullian) pointed to the psalms as part of Scripture that foreshadowed God’s victory over evil through Jesus Christ.

Reliability of Scripture and Unified Message

From archaeological finds (like the Dead Sea Scrolls) and early copies of New Testament writings (such as Papyrus 66 and Papyrus 75), scholars conclude that textual variation is minimal and does not affect core doctrines. Critical examination of these documents confirms that the theme of God’s just judgment and call to love others is threaded throughout both Old and New Testaments. There is a unified message: God alone punishes evil rightly, while believers are commanded to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).

Answering the Question Directly

Verses like Psalm 140:9–10 do not contradict Jesus’ teaching to love one’s enemies. They represent a cry for divine justice against wickedness, entrusting the matter to God’s hands rather than taking personal vengeance. Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount instruct His followers to extend mercy and forgiveness in personal relationships, reflecting the heart of God, who desires repentance rather than destruction (2 Peter 3:9).

When understood in context, these passages affirm both God’s justice and His love. Both Testaments call believers to renounce personal revenge and to place their hope in the Lord’s power to right all wrongs. There is no contradiction but rather a fuller picture of a perfectly holy and loving God who calls His people to follow His ways.

Conclusion: The Consistency of Mercy and Judgment

Scripture consistently presents a harmonious picture. Imprecatory prayers in the Book of Psalms are appeals to God’s perfect justice, while the New Testament’s emphasis on loving enemies demonstrates the posture believers are to adopt in daily life. Both themes coexist: God’s righteous judgment stands, and His people are asked to do good to those who hate them.

These passages show that the Lord is neither indifferent to evil nor oblivious to the pain of the oppressed. Instead, He calls His children to seek peace, pray for enemies, and trust Him for the ultimate judgment. In this way, the psalmist’s plea in Psalm 140 finds its complement in Jesus’ call to love, providing a complete biblical framework that holds both justice and mercy in perfect balance.