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Tag Archives: hebrew poetry
Psalm 63
Written during a time away from home and in the wilderness area west of the Dead Sea, this is another psalm that has found it’s way into many contemporary songs. Even in translation, the words are powerful and moving. This … Continue reading
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Tagged divine presence, God's Presence, hebrew poetry, hymns and praise songs, King David, Psalms, worship
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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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Tagged ANE, culture, hebrew poetry, King David, military, Psalms
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Psalm 51
A psalm by David, this refers to events narrated in 2 Samuel 11-12. That story has it all: adultery, murder and scandal. We struggle to understand a biblical morality that is so foreign to Western instincts. Because of our longstanding … Continue reading
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Tagged call to repentance, divine justice, divine mercy, hebrew poetry, King David, Psalms
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Psalm 45
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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Tagged hebrew poetry, messianic prophecy, Psalms, scripture
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Psalm 31
Never be content with a mere translation of words. If this were a modern work of Western song, we would say it was a long string of clichés. However, in good Hebrew verse, this is how it’s done. Readers of … Continue reading
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Tagged ancient hebrew, hebrew poetry, Hebrew writing, human suffering, King David, Psalms
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Psalm 16
In the Hebrew mind, the highest good was shalom. More than simple absence of distress or conflict, it was much broader. Perhaps a better term would be “social stability” — a combination of salient factors working together to provide a … Continue reading
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Tagged divine justice, hebrew poetry, King David, mysticism, Psalms, symbolic logic
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Psalm 15
Between the ineffable spiritual truth and mere legalistic literalism is a place of moral commitment in the soul touched by eternity. In the Hebrew mind, spiritual birth was not necessary for obedience when the entire cultural slant assumes feudal obligations … Continue reading
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Tagged ancient hebrew culture, ANE, feudal obligations, hebrew poetry, King David, moral character
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Song of Solomon 5
Blunt lesson here: Once you have surrendered to your man, you are no longer your own. As he is yours, you are his. That’s how God sees it. The chapter begins with the groom declaring he is making love to … Continue reading
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Tagged hebrew poetry, King Solomon, marriage, moral imperative
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Psalm 14
In Hebrew thinking, the concept of “fool” is someone devoid of moral perception. Almost every other human talent can be present in abundance, but without using God’s revelation as a reference point, you cannot possibly be acceptable to Him. The … Continue reading
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Tagged covenants, culture, divine revelation, hebrew poetry, King David, Psalms, scripture
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Song of Solomon 4
This is the one day in a woman’s life when she is queen of all who gaze upon her, the day of her wedding. This chapter describes the ornate garments and jewelry which bear little resemblance to Western brides. Should … Continue reading
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Tagged ANE, culture, hebrew poetry, human sexuality, Lebanon, love, marriage
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