Tag Archives: Psalms

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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Psalm 42

Posted on March 21, 2015 by ehurst

Here we begin Book 2 in the Psalms. The theme of this series, ending with Psalm 72, seems contentious among Western scholars. A common remark raises the issue that Book 1 used God’s personal name Yahweh more often, while Book … Continue reading →

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Psalm 41

Posted on March 14, 2015 by ehurst

This psalm sounds exactly like David’s experience when his son Absalom rose to usurp the throne (2 Samuel 15). The poetry here depicts a rather sharp and painful memory still fresh in his mind. The term for “poor” here refers … Continue reading →

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Psalm 40

Posted on March 7, 2015 by ehurst

Most of this is a rather didactic psalm. About the only reason we might suggest for finding Psalm 70 tacked on the end (verses 13-17 here) is that it serves as an example of the kind of prayer God answered … Continue reading →

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Psalm 39

Posted on February 28, 2015 by ehurst

Jeduthun was one of three music directors that served during David’s reign. He was also the King’s Seer. The tone of this psalm does not come across well in English. It takes turns of logic and makes subtle connections that … Continue reading →

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Psalm 38 (Updated)

Posted on February 21, 2015 by ehurst

This is one of seven Penitential Psalms, and we do not know the context. We can sense that whatever the occasion, it seems not to have struck David’s awareness all at once. Rather, the pressure of conviction grew slowly. The … Continue reading →

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Psalm 37

Posted on February 14, 2015 by ehurst

This is an acrostic psalm loaded with popular proverbs of David’s time. It’s the age old question of why it seems the wicked prosper and the righteous are blown by the winds of blind fortune. On the surface, it appears … Continue reading →

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Psalm 36

Posted on February 7, 2015 by ehurst

Hebrew scholars tell us that this psalm is distinctly in two parts. The first few verses are in very rugged Hebrew that grates on the ears, whereas the rest is quite smooth and sweet. This is how David emphasizes the … Continue reading →

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Psalm 35

Posted on January 31, 2015 by ehurst

This is the first imprecatory psalm we encounter, a form which has no parallel in Western literature. It sounds to us like petty vengeance because we lack the proper moral background in our world. Paul warns us that all Creation … Continue reading →

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Psalm 34

Posted on January 24, 2015 by ehurst

It can seem at times that David’s songs are awfully repetitious. Consider that virtually every one of them represents some adventure David went through or something that left a major impression on him. In this case, we are told that … Continue reading →

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