In many of King David's *Psalms* , he seems to harbor a vengeful attitude toward his, Israel's, or God's enemies: Psalms 6:11: > Let all my enemies be ashamed, and be very much troubled: let them be turned back, and be ashamed very speedily. Psalms 24:3: > Neither let my enemies laugh at me: for none of them that wait on thee shall be confounded. Psalms 24:4: > Let all them be confounded that act unjust things without cause. Shew, O Lord, thy ways to me, and teach me thy paths. Psalms 34:4: > Let them be confounded and ashamed that seek after my soul. Let them be turned back and be confounded that devise evil against me. Psalms 34:26: > Let them blush: and be ashamed together, who rejoice at my evils. Let them be clothed with confusion and shame, who speak great things against me. Psalms 39:15: > Let them be confounded and ashamed together, that seek after my soul to take it away. Let them be turned backward and be ashamed that desire evils to me. Psalms 68:7: > Let not them be ashamed for me, who look for thee, O Lord, the Lord of hosts. Let them not be confounded on my account, who seek thee, O God of Israel. Psalms 69:3: > Let them be confounded and ashamed that seek my soul: Psalms 70:13: > Let them be confounded and come to nothing that detract my soul; let them be covered with confusion and blame that seek my hurt. Psalms 82:18: > Let them be ashamed and troubled for ever and ever: and let them be confounded and perish. Psalms 96:7: > Let them be all confounded that adore graven things, and that glory in their idols. Adore him, all you his angels: Psalms 108:28: > They will curse and thou wilt bless: let them that rise up against me be confounded: but thy servant shall rejoice. Psalms 128:5: > Let them all be confounded and turned back that hate Sion. What have Catholic commentators on the *Psalms* said about these verses? Is this vengeful attitude of King David sinful or justified? Or does King David in fact desire the conversion of his enemies?

Scripture warns against revenge at the personal level: - *“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19, NIV)* - *“Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.” (Proverbs 20:22, NIV)* - *“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44, NIV)* At the same time, governments are described as God’s servants in carrying out justice: - *“For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” (Romans 13:4, NIV)* When a government acts out of revenge rather than justice, does this mean it is violating God’s law?