Psalms as Trauma Literature

What a difference a week makes! As I write this introduction, I find myself struggling to land on a point of view about the bible’s imprecatory psalms, those containing judgment, calamity, or curse. I began with a clear idea that the violence and harm so vividly described in these psalms in no way had relevance today, causing at the least re-traumatizing of the victims of abuse and brutality, and perhaps inciting actual acts of violence provoked by the anger expressed in them. As Joni Sancken states, “Trauma is a thief. Trauma steals love, physical well-being, hope, and the ability to express, or share about one’s experience.”

In studying Psalm 55 for example, I was only reinforced by hearing the voices of the victims of violence speak about the impact of the events on them long after they had occurred. I wondered whether “the real problem is not the quantity of imprecation in the psalms, but why there should be any at all.” However, while I remain highly cautious about the way the psalms are used, I have come to see that there may be times, luckily ones I am privileged not to have experienced firsthand, where calling on these emotional renderings of violent behaviour may have a role to play in healing for those who will minister to a broad range of people in church settings.

The paper continues — the full text is below.