Divided into five books to correspond with the five books of Moses, the Pentateuch. There are many different types of psalms in the Hebrew bible. A psalm of thanksgiving, which is giving thanks to YHWH who has ended suffering. Psalms as hymns which are songs of praise. Psalms of YHWH’s enthronement are used to celebrate the greatness of YHWH as king. Wisdom psalms are used to help provide wisdom literature. (Collins 486-491) There is also a psalm of lament, which is sung in hopes that YHWH will save one from suffering. A Psalm was often read for emotion and ideas. Psalm 40 is a combination between a psalm of thanksgiving and lament. Psalm 40 is an example of the relationship between YHWH and humanity. In this passage YHWH is shown as a powerful …show more content…
figure and humanity is shown as a servant who needs guidance. The relationship between YHWH and humanity is similar to that of a rapper and their hype man. The narrator is Flavor Flav and YHWH is Public Enemy. Verses 1-3 of Psalm 40 are about waiting. The narrator is patient as waits for YHWH to hear his cry. (40:1) In “The New Bible Commentary” this is described as fruitful waiting. (Motyer 511) The patience shown in verse 1 leads to the deliverance shown in verse 2 and 3. The narrator does not sound displeased in anyway by waiting, but in verse 1 to “I waited patiently” shows the narrators dedication to YHWH. They are willing to wait in whatever situation they are in for YHWH to come and help them. In the second part of verse 3 this should cause people to fear and put their trust in YHWH. The narrator by their patience is rewarded and others are shown what YHWH is capable of. This will either lead them to YHWH or make them fear YHWH’s strength. The narrator would not have been saved if it was not for YHWH, creating a parallel between the strength of YHWH and the narrator. The narrator cannot do what YHWH does and will praise YHWH for helping them out of their situations. When comparing the narrator to a hype man the narrator has only two jobs, to be patient and then to as dramatically as possible retell the situation. This is right when the song starts the hype man gets the crowd excited but they do not do anything of importance. The yell and jump around but overall they wait for the main artist to take the stand and start before they do anything. 3-5 have the repetition of the word trust stating that “Happy are those who make the LORD their trust,/who do not turn to the proud…” (40:4) This verse states that happiness can only be found by trusting YHWH which also means fearing him. In The New Interpreter’s Bible states that “…happiness is derived from dependence on God, not from powerful humans or from other gods.” (Keck 843) The narrator then turns from how great YHWH is those who do not follow YHWH. Those who do not follow YHWH are described as “proud” which in this sense is to mean foolish. Those who follow false gods are those who have gone astray. Astray is an interesting way to describe followers of false gods because it gives the impression that these people will turn back to YHWH. Verse 5 goes back to praises YHWH and his strengths. In these three verses the narrators main power is shown. By praising YHWH, having faith in others returning to YHWH, and chastising those who have gone astray the narrator does something that YHWH cannot do which is communicate to anyone they want. YHWH has made it clear that only his chosen such as Moses and Joseph will hear his voice. Communication from YHWH to the people has to be done by the chosen or through prayer. This continues to the metaphor that the narrator is a hype man. The narrator upon hearing that others do not believe in YHWH tries to explain the powers that YHWH has and why it is important to follow him instead of someone false. In verses 6-8 the narrator describes themselves as someone who delights in YHWH’s will.
(40:8) YHWH did not require any form of sacrifice and offerings. (40:6) But rather YHWH requires the narrator to do his will. This is coupled with verses 9 and 10 are examples of the narrators devotion. In verse 9 the narrator tells of how they spoke of their deliverance in congregation. Then in verse 10 the narrator expands by refusing to hide the information of his deliverance in their heart but they will continue to speak of it. It is coupled in reference to the way the narrator feels. Verse 6-8 shows an obedient heart and verse 9-10 shows a testifying heart. Verse 8 shows the willing heart the narrator that they find joy in pleasing YHWH. Verse 10 is the testifying heart, the heart that will gladly repeat YHWH’s greatness to any listener. (Motyer 512) This adds to the idea of the narrator being a hype man. The narrator only has to speak praises of YHWH and YHWH would take care of the rest. This passage also sounds like the narrator is fearful themselves. After talking about those who have turned away from YHWH in verse 4 and 5 they go back to how gracious they are for YHWH. Similar to when someone has a sibling and they are in trouble with their parent how one child will often rat out the other to get less of a punishment or a …show more content…
reward. Verse 11 is that reward. The narrator pleads for YHWH to not withhold mercy from them in hopes that YHWH’s love will keep them safe forever. Verse 11 sticks out more than any other verse in its pleading nature. Steadfast love and faithfulness is repeated from verse 10 to 11. This adds to the pleads of verse 11, the narrator has talked about what YHWH wants so YHWH should protect the narrator. The narrator is well aware of how little they can get done without YHWH. Verse 12 issues the complaint. The narrator is surrounded by evils and their own wickedness has blinded them. The narrator makes it known that they are not without flaw and they will need YHWH once more. Verse 13 the pleading continues but the narrator wishes to be made an example of. Better yet those who wish to harm the narrator should be made an example of. Those who harm the narrator or confuse the narrator should be dishonored. (40:14) In the example of the narrator being like a hype man no one harms a hype man without getting the actual artist involved. They protect one another the hype man protects the major artist’s reputation and the artist protects the hype man from practically anything else. Verse 16 is a praise for YHWH. The narrator before being in any dangerous situation thanks YHWH for saving them. The hype man works to remind everyone of how capable their rapper is even when the rapper is not on stage. Verse 16 and 17 show the faith the narrator has in YHWH. The narrator states that they are “poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me.” However in the end of verse 17 the narrator states that they will continue to wait for YHWH patiently. Which makes a parallel between the narrator and YHWH. YHWH being the opposite of the narrator rich and independent. But in being rich and independent YHWH needs a being to remind him of his abilities. YHWH however doesn’t have the patience that the narrator has. In other books of the Hebrew Bible YHWH literally wipes out humanity due to their sins. The narrator and humanity don’t have that luxury, they must be patience otherwise they will constantly be in pain. The relationship between YHWH and humanity dependent upon each other.
Humanity like in verse 1 and 12 will be constantly surrounded by issues that only YHWH can free them from. Once freed YHWH should be praised like in verse 3 and doubters should be shamed. (40:4) The hype man takes the stage and reminds the audience who is in charge of the performance and why. YHWH for his power, his ability, and his riches needs someone to praise him. Which is where humanity comes in. Humanity is young and constantly surrounded by issues that are beyond their power. Their constant cries to YHWH are reminders that YHWH is strong and able. The power of praise and patience is the power of the narrator. Throughout this chapter they show just how dedicated they are to YHWH by hoping that he will continue to have mercy upon them. This relationship is similar to that of a hype man and a rapper. The rapper protects the hype man and the hype man is the reminder of the power the rapper has. This connects itself to the rest of the book of Psalms because it has the elements of both a psalm of thanksgiving and a psalm of lament. The narrator wants to thank YHWH for having protecting them thus far but they also are aware that there are more dangers to come. They need YHWH in order to continue
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..., but still pleads for God to "take me in" (ll. 41), and promises to "pay...in happiness" for mercy. Once again, the speaker demonstrates the same desires for physical treasures that he expresses in the first stanza as he asks God to "give mine eye / A peephole there to see bright glory's chases" (ll. 39-40). Even in the God's kingdom, the speaker reveals his humanity as he focuses on ornamentation which starkly contrasts with God's divinity as He has the ability to show love even for sinners.
Exodus 21-24 was definitely quite an instructive piece of literature. It was almost raw in its nature as a text or “book” but more of reading an excerpt from a piece of non-fiction most similar to an instruction manual of some sort that you get when you buy a dissembled bike or desk. Something like being enrolled in a police academy there was definite sense of a master-slave relationship in the air. It is like something never before seen in the Torah, these chapters showed a whole new YHWH. The YHWH who is feared like the school principal in an elementary school, not even mom and dad has come on so strong as to the dos and donts of living life. It seems as if YHWH was pushed to such a point where YHWH has no choice but intervene into the lives of his children, and set the rules for the pl...
Many people are straying from the path of God and falling prey to temptation. This passage from the Book of Judges reminds us of the seriousness of our sins, despite the fact that God is very merciful and forgiving. In addition, the passage also reminds us that even though God often works through humans, He is the one who deserves the praise from us. In conclusion, The Canticle of Deborah preaches a message of the magnitude of God’s forgiveness, while also reminding us of the seriousness of our sins and rebellions against
The book of Psalms is one of the most useful books all throughout the Biblical text. It is not just a book of stories or law but personal praises, laments, and the deepest cries of the soul to the one true King: Yahweh. The Psalter is “the most reliable theological, pastoral, and liturgical resource given us in the biblical tradition” (pp. 1). These psalms pave a path for practical faith in the world today. Author, theologian, and teacher, Walter Brueggemann, goes into depth on the psalms of orientation, disorientation, and new orientation to discuss that through the unexpected high and low seasons of life one can turn to the Psalms for authentic conversation with God.
The book of Psalms is a collection of prayers, poems and hymns. Ultimately Psalms can be categorized under three main literary genres: laments, praise hymns, and thanksgiving psalms. Laments which the majority of psalms falls under are meant to be used in broad fashion rather than to relate to one set situation. Praise hymns are to praise God and all of his Glory. Last, thanksgiving psalms are to thank God for responding to our needs. In addition there is a natural breakdown of the Psalms into five main sections. Psalms was written over many centuries by many different people with King David being the main contributor. In addition to David we see the following contribute: Moses, Heman the Ezrahite, Ethan the Ezrahite, Solomon, Asaph, and the sons of Korah. Upon examination we find the oldest psalm (90) and the latest (137) are sometime apart. The latest being around 586 to 538 B.C. It is concluded that some person (albeit unknown) must have started the compilation around 537 B.C. Psalms is the longest book in the Bible, it includes 150 individual psalms. Key topics include God, his creations, war, wisdom, justice, worship, judgement, and sin. Some Major events that take place in Psalms include : The glory of God and the dominion of man, Praising God for His works and words, Psalm of the Good Shepherd, Psalm of the Great Shepherd, Psalm of the Chief Shepherd, The wedding Psalm, Psalm of life and the Psalm of
The Book of Psalms is split into five books according to the material contained in them. There are 150 psalms in the entire book and together they form the “hymnal of Israel” . The word ‘psalm’ means ‘praise’, a common theme throughout the book. Most Conservative Jewish and Christian theologians believe that 73 psalms were written by David, 12 by Asaph (a musician in David's court), 10 by the "Sons of Korah;" 2 by Solomon; 1 each by Ethan, Heman and Moses. Most were written in the hundred years following 1030 BCE . In contrast, most religious liberals believe that the psalms form and use in worship services originated from Pagan nations surrounding Israel.
Psalms 3, 18, and 63 have headings that are related to the historical event described in the books of Samuel. The headings in the passages in each Psalms have similar themes to the passages related in 1 and 2 Samuel. They portray the mood and feelings that David would have felt while encountering those events. Although it is difficult to identify if these headings were specifically related to the Psalms, it is clear that readers are able to understand the psalm better with these headings. According to Nogalski, the connections of the headings in each Psalms “suggests that the psalms were used to clarify and sharpen the narrative or David’s character” (2001, p. 169). Since these Psalms portray an individual psalm, the headings provide a setting
The Bible shows God constantly pursuing His people and man rejecting him over and over again. This passage displays this ongoing struggle by showing all Jesus did for us and how the people still shunned and rejected him. However, this passage also gives reassurance that it is never too late to repent and accept the Lord. This passage displays some important themes of the Bible: man’s redemption, God’s forgiveness and grace, and the blessing of a relationship with God. This passage is essentially the message of the Bible in one small
An instructive and stirring string of verses, this passage from the Bible holds great relevance not only for the Ancient Israelites to whom it was spoken, but also acts as a herald to Christians today. This passage forms part of Moses great oration; his instructive teaching, advice and counsel narrated to the second generation of Israelites who required redirection before moving forward into what God had for them. Similarly, it is also relevant for all Christians as we remember what our faithful, loving and powerful God has done in the past, and what he requires of us to move forward.
Psalm 113 reads like a 1st century pep talk for those with spiritual burnout. The writer makes his case for the Lord by pointing to the many ways that God earns our praise. These nine verses of scripture are saturated with three specific reasons to praise the Lord – He is Su...
In the days of Christ’s life on this earth, believers did not have access to the Bible in its entirety as we know and are familiar with today. Believers in this ancient time period only had access to the Old Testament. However, through their access to the Old Testament, believers were provided a foundation for New Testament times. This foundation provided New Testament believers with the Lord’s established principles of right and wrong they were expected to follow. In addition, the Old Testament is overflowing with accounts of people whose lives exemplified the future life of Christ on this earth. These pictures allowed the Israelite nation to begin to have an understanding of why Christ needed to come as their Messiah and the work He needed to do on earth. Finally, there are common themes that are interwoven throughout the entire Old Testament. Three of these themes: transgression, redemption, and consummation point to the purpose of Christ’s atoning death on the cross. These themes portray God’s work both in the lives of Old Testament believers, but they also foreshadow God’s desire and plan for believers in New Testament times and beyond.
After reading a passage from Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, I can tell you that the Natural Moral Law is something that everyone knows about and everyone is aware of. The Natural Moral Law is another name for the Law of Human Nature. The Law of Human Nature can be described as the Law or Rule of Right from Wrong. Knowing Right from Wrong is different for everyone because it has to do with morals. Everyone has different morals and a different belief when it comes to whether things are Right or Wrong. We are aware that everyone has different morals, because if we were not aware we would not be able to agree on anything. But then again, morals are the reason people disagree on a lot of things.
Psalm 109 begins with a superscription that we have seen several times before, “A Psalm of David” (Bible 873). David is believed to be the author of this Psalm. Psalms 109 though is not a usual Psalm by David; this particular Psalm is classified as an Imprecatory Psalm or a Cursing Psalm. The idea of Imprecatory Psalms is very unsettling for people and the church. This though goes with a misunderstanding of what is involved in actually making an imprecatory prayer.
is an almost word for word repeat of what woman wisdom said in verse 25, that they would not listen to her wisdom despise her reproof. The second part of the verse is where it is different, “They shall eat the fruit of their ways and be sated with their own devices” (v. 30b). Christine Yoder says, “Her use of the image of eating and being sated by the fruit of their dispositions and plans conveys an act-consequence worldview. That is, a person experiences the effect of their actions and choices. They reap what they sow.” In this case, woman wisdom is just saying that the audience is going have what they have chosen for their life. Since they did not chose to fear the Lord they are not going to be able to rely on Him when they need him. It can be gathered as well, that maybe them being sated in their ways and eating their own fruit will just be a life of what verse 26 says, a life that is filled with calamity, anguish and stress. Verses 25-26 verses 29-30 are closely related thematically.
Psalm 43 is a cry to God: “Judge me O God and plead my cause against