Category Archives: bible

Proverbs 16 (Part 2)

(Divided into two posts because it’s long.) 17. The way of the upright is to turn away from evil; he who keeps his way guards his way. This is simply a flawed translation, rendering three different words as “way.” It … Continue reading

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Proverbs 16 (Part 1)

(Divided into two posts because it’s long.) This chapter addresses divine sovereignty from the unique worldview of a mystical Hebrew mind, fully aware of the complexity of human nature. 1. The ordering of the heart in man, and the answer … Continue reading

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Psalm 62

David dedicates this song to Jeduthun, a man who served him as leader of a choir of musical priests with prophetic gifts. This psalm is built on the image of faithful retainer, a warlord serving some mighty sovereign. Whatever David … Continue reading

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Psalm 61

Sometimes we have to shake our heads at how Western Bible scholars read so much literal meaning into poetic statements, and completely miss the grand mystical depth. So it is many commentators suggest David was off on a campaign far … Continue reading

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Psalm 60

The header references a tune David called “Lily of Testimony” and events narrated in 2 Samuel 8. We catch only some vague hint that David’s source of trouble is likely something to do with Edom. We might reasonably guess that … Continue reading

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Proverbs 15 (Part 2)

18. A wrathful man stirs up fighting, but one slow to anger calms fighting. Don’t give someone else control over your feelings, unless you are capable of killing all your new enemies and living with the consequences. Obviously this defies … Continue reading

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Psalm 59

The third in a row resting on the tune of “Do Not Destroy,” this psalm reflects events described in 1 Samuel 19. David went home after one of Saul’s outbursts that began a more concerted effort to eliminate him. Saul … Continue reading

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Proverbs 15 (Part 1)

(Divided into two parts because the chapter is long.) Proverbs 15 Facts are not on the same level as truth. We are obliged to recognize the moral primacy of social stability under God’s revelation. How we handle criticism, justified or … Continue reading

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Psalm 58

As with the previous psalm, this one uses the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” And like many other psalms, the Hebrew poetic grammar is quite difficult. In this case, I cannot go with the NET Bible’s translation work, so we … Continue reading

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Psalm 57

In the header we learn this was written during the time David hid out in the Cave of Adullam, referring to events in 1 Samuel 22. At least one cave in that area offers a very large inner chamber after … Continue reading

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