Let’s read that verse 8: “Let destruction come upon him unexpectedly, and let his net that he has hidden catch himself; into that very destruction let him fall.” This Psalm is a “Psalm of David” and David wrote this at a time when his enemies were seeking to kill him. Some have written that “David refers to the days of his persecution by Saul. David was hunted by a cruel king whose jealousy was being fueled by men who slandered him.” In verse 1 we read, “Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me; fight against those who fight against me.” He goes on to say in verses 4-7, “Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor who seek after my life; let those be turned back and brought to confusion who plot my hurt. Let them be like chaff before the wind, and let the angel of the LORD chase them. Let their way be dark and slippery, and let the angel of the LORD pursue them. For without cause they have hidden their net for me in a pit, which they have dug without cause for my life.” We can surely say that David WAS “asking God to RETURN TO SENDER the evil act directed towards him,” for he plainly asked for the “hidden net they had laid as a trap for him to catch them instead.”

But your question regards believers today and whether we should pray likewise when our enemies are seeking to entrap us and harm us. The answer is, “NO, it would not be right for us to pray as David did against his enemies.” Let’s read what Jesus had to say to us on this subject in Matthew 5:38-40, 43-45: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also…..You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and HATE YOUR ENEMY.’ But I say to you, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, bless them who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and PRAY FOR THOSE WHO DESPITEFULLY USE YOU AND PERSECUTE YOU, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

David lived in the days when “the law of Moses” commanded them to “hate their enemies” and thus he could rightly pray for their destruction. But when Jesus came, we read in John 1:16-17, “And of His fullness we have all received, and GRACE FOR GRACE. For the law was given by Moses, but GRACE and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Jesus came to manifest GOD’S LOVE AND GRACE to men and thus He commands believers today (during this “Day of Grace”) to “LOVE our enemies…. BLESS our enemies….DO GOOD to our enemies…and PRAY for our enemies.” In doing so, we are showing them the LOVE AND GRACE of God our Father. Believers today are “children and sons of God the Father” (see John 1:12-13; Galatians 3:26; and Romans 8:14-17). We are not to respond to their evil acts towards us with vengeance as the Israelites did under the law, we are to do just the opposite. I will close this short meditation by quoting Romans 12:17-21, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, DO NOT AVENGE YOURSELVES, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the LORD. Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  (DO)  (686.5)