Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 10/24/2006

Question
Can you explain Psalm 149:6-9 and Luke:19:27? Could these verses be used by some to justify Christian aggression? Thank you.

Answer
Hi,

Thanks for this question.

Psalm 149:6-9
6 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;  7 To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; 8 To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Luke 19:27
27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Let us handle the Luke passage first.  It sure looks like a brutal saying by Jesus... until we look at the context... we find that Jesus is giving a parable, a story.. not a command.  He is trying to tell what the ruler would do in a certain situation;... it has nothing to do with us taking our vengence.

Luke 19:12-27
12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.  14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.  16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

In Psalms, David is speaking about the glory of God, and how God protects His own.  Often we learn about God's protection of his own from the hand of the enemy.  Notice the beginning of the passage:

Psalm 149:1-5


Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.  2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. 3 Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.  4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

The message is peace and safty, protectin from the enemy.

I suppose that one could use these verses to teach Christian aggression, but that is not what they teach.

I hope that I have helped you.  If you have time, would you please rate my answer?  Thanks!

In Christ
Pastor Don