I would just add that in Psalm 83 we seem to have both sides of the coin–a call for temporal judgment and a call for some kind of redemption.

The author of the psalm made the plea against his enemies, “O my God, make them like whirling dust, like chaff before the wind.  As fire consumes the forest . . . so may you pursue them with your tempest. and terrify them with your hurricane!”  Then, in the very next verse, the psalmist seems to hope that in the process their hearts might be changed by God, “Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O LORD.”

I find it interesting that here is a prayer, in the Old Testament, for both God to execute immediate justice and to bring mercy.  It is not unlike what we find in Acts 8 after Simon pays money to receive the Holy Spirit Peter’s first response is a curse!  He calls him to perish with his silver but a verse or two later he urges him to repent and seek forgiveness.

Is it possible that in Psalm 139 there is an unstated expectation on the part of David that should his enemies see the just hand of God about to destroy them it would be a good thing if they sought the name of the LORD?  The text does not say but that would seem consistent with other Scripture.  David hating them as enemies of God does not mean he cannot ultimately want them reconciled with their Maker.

In any event, in a world where unspeakable evil takes place I do think there is a role for Christians to pray boldly for swift, temporal judgment.  However, I think it should be accompanied by prayers for redemption (c.f. Psalm 83:16).  I think our biggest problem is we don’t pray enough and we don’t pray with enough vigor and boldness for justice.

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