How do we reconcile the praying down of curses in what is called the 'imprecatory' Psalms (Ps 137:9) "Blessed is the one who takes your infants and dashes them against the rock!"
With the explicit teaching of Jesus in the New Testament (Matt 5:43-44)?
"You have heard it said, 'Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But now I am telling you to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you ."
It seems, at first, to be a question at odds with itself - a contradiction in terms! Yet both the above verses are inspired scripture, for all scripture is 'God breathed.... and profitable' for all Christians. It is a question that has raised many concerns with varied and colourful answers and yet to countless saints down the centuries a source of comfort.