Imprecatory Psalms and Curse Language of the Pentecostal Churches in Nigeria

We must accept that Pentecostalism is a key aspect of Nigerian popular culture. According to Philip Jenkins, Pentecostalism is the most successful movement of the past century (2). Many of the Pentecostal Churches operate Television stations and are able to reach a vast population. Therefore the possibility to influence a large population is very high. To this end, whatever the Pentecostals are doing must be given special attention for it is likely to impact Christianity in Nigeria. Apart from Prosperity Gospel among Nigerian Pentecostal Churches and African Initiated Churches, imprecatory prayers are becoming popular among them. Imprecation is not new among them, it is also found in the Bible, mostly used by the Psalmist. This paper adopting a comparative approach, looks at imprecation or curse language from a wider context * of the Bible, Christ’s teaching and the Christian life. The aim is to show the theological and ethical foundations of the imprecatory prayers of the Psalmist and the Pentecostals. This will enable us ascertain the basis of their teaching and the similarities and differences that exist between the Psalmist and Pentecostal’s imprecation.