Category Archives: bible

Psalm 47

Posted on April 25, 2015 by ehurst

This second song in a trilogy has become the source for quite a number of hymns and praise songs in recent decades. The first half serves to justify the rest. In these first four verses, this psalm written by the … Continue reading →

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Proverbs 9

Posted on April 20, 2015 by ehurst

Passages like this are the basis for the paradoxes Jesus often used: To him who has wisdom, more shall be given. The obvious point is a matter of human nature. The fundamental quality at issue here is moral sensitivity. When … Continue reading →

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Psalm 46

Posted on April 18, 2015 by ehurst

A psalm from the Korahites, Martin Luther said this was the basis for his famous “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” hymn, but there are also more recent songs from it. This and the next two seem to form a … Continue reading →

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Psalm 45

Posted on April 11, 2015 by ehurst

The dedication line says this was written by a Temple cantor, one of the Kohathites. Some scholars note that this psalm cannot be associated with any historical figure. Rather, it sounds like an idealized image of a royal wedding. Our … Continue reading →

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Proverbs 8

Posted on April 10, 2015 by ehurst

On the one hand, this chapter stands on its own. The soaring poetry and utterly accessible metaphor of Lady Wisdom calling to humanity is hard to miss. Every major English translation fails to do it justice, yet even with these … Continue reading →

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Psalm 44

Posted on April 4, 2015 by ehurst

Western scholars seem to be unsure whether the Sons of Korah wrote this or if it was simply dedicated to them. English translations vary on whether it is “by” or “for” them. Even more disturbing is the insinuation by Western … Continue reading →

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Proverbs 7

Posted on April 2, 2015 by ehurst

Solomon has seen it all. While at her pinnacle the Kingdom of Israel was never large enough to be called an empire, she was the single most stable and prosperous nation in a sea of instability. Previous empires had already … Continue reading →

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Psalm 43

Posted on March 28, 2015 by ehurst

Just a reminder that scholars suggest this psalm technically continues the previous. The Septuagint Old Testament, favored by New Testament authors, has it as one. It’s sad how much is lost in translation here. David willingly throws himself on the … Continue reading →

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Proverbs 6

Posted on March 26, 2015 by ehurst

It’s going to sound like Solomon is beating the same drums over and over. However, it is our cultural insensitivity that keeps us from recognizing that this is a different song. There is a subtle shift in emphasis that is … Continue reading →

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Proverbs 5

Posted on March 24, 2015 by ehurst

Sometimes wisdom is the result of many painful lessons over a long life. Notice that Solomon doesn’t demand that his readers obey simple edicts, but offers his own experience. We happen to know that Solomon did have long experience with … Continue reading →

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