Category Archives: bible

Proverbs 29

This chapter is a collection of shorter and simpler proverbs, the kind of thing you might hear among the peasants. It’s as if Solomon asks his sons to consider: What will the common man think of you? What sort of … Continue reading

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Psalm 89

This is the final psalm in Book 3; the last verse is more likely a benediction to the collection than for this psalm. The author here is Ethan, brother of Heman who gave us the previous hymn, and equally famous … Continue reading

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Psalm 88

The psalm is addressed to the Sons of Korah, but attributed to Heman, son of Zerah, son of Judah by Tamar his daughter-in-law (1 Chronicles 2:3-6). That’s a mouthful and it requires you remember the sad stories of Judah’s sin … Continue reading

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Psalm 87

This is a terse prophetic song. The Hebrew is difficult to grasp if you read it literally, and you would be in good company. Toward the end before Babylon laid siege to the city, a great many shallow minds and … Continue reading

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Proverbs 28

What you believe you see and experience is just shadow; ultimate reality is the moral truth behind it all. This chapter is full of short epigrams all getting at the same basic idea. They are not doctrinaire assertions of wishful … Continue reading

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Psalm 86

Don’t go looking for the precise spot David occupied when he composed this sweet hymn. We have no idea what human historical context goes with this impassioned plea, and precious few humans can even begin to share the moral place … Continue reading

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Psalm 85

Another of the Korahite works, Western scholars are all over the place on this psalm. We would miss the point if we tried to shove this down into some particular historical reference. As with most prophetic Hebrew writing, the message … Continue reading

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Psalm 85

Proverbs 27

Only a fool takes himself too seriously. Your personal sense of identity and integrity should not rest on total control of outcomes. Self-cynicism is not the same as self-doubt; you can still forge ahead in your calling while keeping a … Continue reading

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Proverbs 27

Psalm 84

This is a Pilgrim Psalm, a celebration of marching to Zion for any number of annual feasts and festivals. The imagery is rich with symbolism. The psalmist begins with a common figure of speech heard among pilgrims meeting to share … Continue reading

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Psalm 84

Psalm 83

There are numerous historical and geographical references, but this Psalm does not refer to a literal historical event. Rather, it’s similar in purpose to John’s Armageddon: a parable indicating a moral condition that never changes. In a series of Hebrew … Continue reading

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Psalm 83