Imprecatory Psalms as Prophecy: How John Chrysostom’s Commentary on the Psalms Addresses the Moral Problem of Anger

Abstract:John Chrysostom’s Commentary on the Psalms, typically dated to his time in Antioch between 386 and 398 c.e., aims to shape the moral character of his congregants, which also involves directing their emotional lives. In this commentary, which was probably delivered orally, Chrysostom usually interprets the Psalms as expressing salutary emotions, feelings which, even if painful, encourage virtue. These salutary emotions include grief, which accompanies repentance as a response to one’s own sin, and anger, which responds to the sin of others, encouraging them to repent. Yet certain expressions of grief and especially anger within the Psalms create ethical difficulties in that these expressions do not always appear admirable. Drawing on the tradition that David was a prophet and authored all of the Psalms, Chrysostom justifies the psalmist’s words as prediction phrased as cursing to heighten the language’s emotional effects, or as speech on behalf of others. These interpretations not only absolve David of the charge of animosity but also depict the Psalms’ words as admirable either because they encourage virtue or because they express compassion for those who are oppressed. Thus, Chrysostom’s theological beliefs about the nature of sacred texts and their author give him warrant to explain some morally problematic texts.