Early Horror Movie

Their mouths are full of cursing, lies, and threats. Trouble and evil are on the tips of their tongues. They lurk in dark alleys, murdering the innocent who pass by.  They are always searching for some helpless victim. Like lions they crouch silently, waiting to pounce on the helpless. Like hunters they capture their victims and drag them away in nets.  Psalm 10: 7-9 NLT

Okay, these verse of Psalm 10 sound more like lines from a horror movie about vampires. Cursing, lies, threats, and crouching in wait to pounce on their next victim in a dark alley sound more like an evil demon than a human being. Has the psalmist gone too far? Are these Hebrews we see doing all this cursing and murdering? Do we take these verse literally or figuratively?

To the psalmist it seems as though wicked people are always cursing, telling lies and giving threats although that could very well be the case.  Are they always searching for a helpless victim? Do we see a picture of an early ambulance chaser? Do they simply take advantage of those in helpless situations without a care for the person? But to lurk in dark alleyways, murdering innocent passersby is a bit much.

As these verse really get my imagination going, I am going to say we need to understand the meaning behind what is being said rather than taking these verses as literally what is going on. Certainly when verse 9 begins with "like" we can understand that the wicked can be compared to a lion ready to pounce. We can infer that the evil people have the same characteristics as hunters who capture their victims, dragging them away to a secret lair. And the ones who curse and plan evil are like those in wait in dark alleys to commit crimes.

Horror movie imagery aside, we are to understand that there is nothing redeeming about those who are wicked and do evil deeds. Thank goodness we are not the ones who have to do the redeeming!

God, you are never far away and you know what is going on in our lives. You are the one who redeems us and any sinner who calls on your name. Thank you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims