Imprecatory prayers are those found within the Bible that invoke judgment, calamity, or curses upon one's enemies or those perceived as the enemies of God. These prayers are most prominently featured in the Psalms, where the psalmists call upon God to enact justice against the wicked. Such prayers reflect a deep yearning for divine intervention and justice in the face of oppression and evil.

Biblical Examples

The Psalms contain several examples of imprecatory prayers. Psalm 69 and Psalm 109 are among the most cited. In Psalm 69:22-24 , the psalmist pleads, "May their table become a snare; may it be a retribution and a trap. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever. Pour out Your wrath upon them, and let Your burning anger overtake them." Similarly, Psalm 109:6-9 states, "Appoint an evil man to oppose him; let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is tried, let him be found guilty,