"Psalms that Curse" by Sean McGowan. A Review

 

I’m a Presbyterian minister, which means I get to quote John Calvin with impunity. Therefore, I appreciate Calvin’s words in his introduction to the Psalms when he wrote: “this book [the Psalms] makes known to us this privilege, which is desirable above all others – that not only is there opened up to us familiar access to God, but also that we have permission and freedom granted us to lay open before him our infirmities, which we would be ashamed to confess before men” (p. xxxviii). That sentiment comes forth in a new, little 90-page softback “Psalms that Curse: A Brief Primer” penned by Sean McGowan, Pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Tallahassee, Florida. It’s an easy-to-read manual, straightforward, devotional, and practical.

 

“Psalms that Curse” comes in fast, focused, and fastidious as it addresses several significant questions. It answers the question if the psalms that present “harsh language” and make us uncomfortable at times still have any relevance for the church today. If so, ought they to even be used in prayers by the church in our age. McGowan makes convincing arguments in one direction and thoughtfully responds to several doubts.

 

Further, the author doesn’t just approach the subject academically and abstractly. Instead, he takes up one of the hardest Psalms to justify in people’s minds, Psalm 137. He also shows how some imprecatory Psalms show up in the New Testament, and the way their approach fits inside the New Testament.

 

Along with C.S. Lewis, many Christians find themselves aghast at these tough prayers in Scripture and wonder if they even belong in the Bible. McGowan has given readers a healthy defense, and a practical approach. Again, to quote John Calvin, “In a word, whatever may serve to encourage us when we are about to pray to God is taught us in this book” (xxxvii). The author exhibits how this is done with one aspect of the Psalms. “Psalms that Curse: A Brief Primer” should be in the hands of every pastor and parishioner. I highly recommend the book.

 

The author asked me to read and write an endorsement for the book some time back, which I did. You will even see it in the book. But he never asked for a review. I have chosen to pen this analysis, which has been freely done and is now freely given.