Category Archives: Psalms

Hezekiah part 2

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In part one I said to study Hezekiah start with Ahaz his father.  So I followed my own advice and did it again. Ahaz was a “bad” king and the nagging thought of “why” has been with me for several days. In 2 Chronicles it says he starts his reign at the age of twenty and ruled for sixteen years; that makes him 36 when he died. (see my timeline) Hezekiah started ruling when he was 25 so a little math tells us that Ahaz started his family at 11 years old. Maybe now we can start seeing why Ahaz was a mess. His great-grandsons at the end of 2 Chronicles were active very early also. This sort of answered my next question, why was Hezekiah so different? Probably he was not raised around his father instead he may have been raised by his mother’s parents.  Ahab, the king associated with Elijah, did this with his children; it was good business and at least kept part of the family safe in case of attack.

To add a few thoughts about Hezekiah and some things he did and may have done. In Proverbs 25 the heading in my NIV Bible says that these proverbs were copied by Hezekiah’s men but had been written by Solomon. So that adds to his “good” of cleaning and reopening the Temple and helping revival by holding Passover for the first time in over 250 years.

These, as always, are almost impossible to prove but because of the content I think he may have written Psalm 102 and 116 during or after his illness. I give him Psalm 119 just for the scholarly work that went into its writing and the phrase of verse 67, “before I was afflicted.” Psalm 119 is acrostic, which means that a verse or section was written using each letter in their alphabet. Each one of the sections also has eight verses in it, the number of “new beginning.” Something that I noticed several years ago was that if you lined them up and read all of the similar verses they made sense that way also. Example read verse 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56, 64, 72, 80, 88, 96, 104, 112, 120, 128, 136, 144, 152, 160, 168 and 176 together they make a continuous thought. So you can read the 22 sections or you can read it as 8 sections with 22 verses each. (see Psalm 119 rewritten) See the other Psalms I try to connect with people.

The picture is from http://christianimagesource.com/king_hezekiah_g337-king_hezekiah__image_4_p2265.html 

Psalm 119 Rewritten

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I reordered Psalm 119 (NIV) to make it eight sets of twenty-two verses, instead of twenty-two sets of eight verses.  For me, it reads better.

To get my new sections I took all of the first verses and put them together, then all of the second verse, and so on.  Each section now contains all of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. 9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. 17 Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word.  25 I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word. 33 Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. 41 May your unfailing love come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your promise; 49 remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.  57 You are my portion, LORD; I have promised to obey your words. 65 Do good to your servant according to your word, LORD. 73 Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. 81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word. 89 Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. 97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. 113 I hate double-minded people, but I love your law. 121 I have done what is righteous and just; do not leave me to my oppressors. 129 Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. 137 You are righteous, LORD, and your laws are right. 145 I call with all my heart; answer me, LORD, and I will obey your decrees. 153 Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law. 161 Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word. 169 May my cry come before you, LORD; give me understanding according to your word.

2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—
10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. 26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. 34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. 42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word. 50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. 58 I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. 66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands. 74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word. 82 My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, “When will you comfort me?” 90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. 98 Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. 106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. 114 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. 122 Ensure your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me. 130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. 138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy. 146 I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes. 154 Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise. 162 I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil. 170 May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.

3 They (those who seek Him) do no wrong but follow his ways.11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 19 I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me. 27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds. 35 Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. 43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws. 51 The arrogant mock me unmercifully, but I do not turn from your law. 59 I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. 75 I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget your decrees. 91 Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. 107 I have suffered much; preserve my life, LORD, according to your word. 115 Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God! 123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation, looking for your righteous promise. 131 I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. 139 My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words. 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees. 163 I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law. 171 May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.

4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.12 Praise be to you, LORD; teach me your decrees. 20 My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times. 28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. 36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. 44 I will always obey your law, for ever and ever. 52 I remember, LORD, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them. 60 I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands. 68 You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees. 76 May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. 84 How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors? 92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 100 I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. 108 Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. 116 Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. 124 Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees. 132 Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. 140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. 148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night that I may meditate on your promises. 156 Your compassion, LORD, is great; preserve my life according to your laws. 164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws. 172 May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.

5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. 21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed, those who stray from your commands. 29 Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law. 37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. 45 I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. 53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken your law. 61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law. 69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart. 77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. 85 The arrogant dig pits to trap me, contrary to your law. 93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. 101 I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. 109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law. 117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees. 125 I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes. 133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. 141 Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts. 149 Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, LORD, according to your laws. 157 Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes. 165 Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. 173 May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.

6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. 22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes. 30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. 38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. 46 I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame, 54 Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge. 62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws. 70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law. 78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts. 86 All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for I am being persecuted without cause. 94 Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts. 102 I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. 110 The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts. 118 You reject all who stray from your decrees, for their delusions come to nothing. 126 It is time for you to act, LORD; your law is being broken. 134 Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts. 142 Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true. 150 Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law. 158 I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word. 166 I wait for your salvation, LORD, and I follow your commands. 174 I long for your salvation, LORD, and your law gives me delight.

7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. 23 Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees. 31 I hold fast to your statutes, LORD; do not let me be put to shame. 39 Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good. 47 for I delight in your commands because I love them. 55 In the night, LORD, I remember your name, that I may keep your law. 63 I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts. 71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. 79 May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes. 87 They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. 95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes. 103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth! 111 Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. 119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross; therefore I love your statutes. 127 Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, 135 Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees. 143 Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight. 151 Yet you are near, LORD, and all your commands are true. 159 See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, LORD, in accordance with your love. 167 I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly. 175 Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.

8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. 16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.  24 Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors. 32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding. 40 How I long for your precepts! In your righteousness preserve my life. 48 I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees. 56 This has been my practice: I obey your precepts. 64 The earth is filled with your love, LORD; teach me your decrees. 72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. 80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame. 88 In your unfailing love preserve my life, that I may obey the statutes of your mouth. 96 To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless. 104 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. 112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end. 120 My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws. 128 and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path. 136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed. 144 Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live. 152 Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever. 160 All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. 168 I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you. 176 I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.

New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Moses’ Psalms

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Psalm 90 is actually the only Psalm that has a sub-heading that identifies Moses as its writer (some Bibles do not include these) but it is fairly clear that his family was musical. Look at Exodus 15 even though Moses may not be credited with writing that song he did lead the Israelites in its singing and in verse 21 Miriam follows his lead and starts playing the tambourine and dancing. He also leads (recites) a song in Deuteronomy 32, so he seems to at the very least have been a songwriter.  Over the years as I have read Psalms 90 through 100, I have wondered why most of them have no subtitles and that Psalm 101 is clearly marked as being written by David? The exception is Psalm 92, which is identified as being for the Sabbath Day. (possible placement of Psalms)

Ok, now for an active imagination because there is no proof for this other than contextual clues, and some people may think that is a bit thin. Look at the job that Moses actually had to do; teach the children of Israel about God after they had been in a pagan land for 400 years. They were more knowledgeable about Egyptian gods than they were about Yahweh just because they were around those demon gods’ art and statues. He had approximately one million people who knew very little about God and had to be instructed in His ways. What better way to do that than through song; so now read these Psalms as Sunday School lessons and focus on themes. Also, think about the trials and problems the Israelites had in Exodus through Deuteronomy.

  • Psalm 90 – (think Exodus 15:26)
  • Psalm 91 – (think Exodus 17:15) to make God your fortress and He will protect you
  • Psalm 92 – (think Exodus 16:27)
  • Psalm 93 – (think Deuteronomy 5,6) shifting thinking from Egyptian gods
  • Psalm 94 – (think Exodus 10:29) a call for justice
  • Psalm 95 – (a lesson after Meribah and sending out the first spies) exhortation to praise God and not tempt Him
  • Psalm 96 – to praise God for His general judgments
  • Psalm 97 – the majesty of God’s kingdom
  • Psalm 98 – a general call to praise God
  • Psalm 99 – the mercifulness of God and His right to reign (some sources suggest that it may not have been the Samuel of 1 Samuel)
  • Psalm 100 – (think Exodus 40) giving praise to enter the new worship area

Psalm 111 is mentioned in Part 2. (See below.)

Thompson Chain-Reference Bible was a resource. NIV usually includes subtitles on Psalms.

Moses picture: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/db/Moses_Pleading_with_Israel_(crop).

Please see Part 2.  In Part 2, I focus on Moses’ Psalms or Songs outside of the Book of Psalms.

El-Shaddai

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“I Am Who I Am” was God’s answer to Moses when he asked about what to call Him. In the footnotes in my NIV it says that, “Lord (Yahweh) sounds like and may be derived from the Hebrew for I Am (Exodus 3:14). Then in verse 15 He says that He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (why not Israel) and then says that is how He wants to be remembered. “God” here is Elohim.  Now I do want to say that it depends on your concordance as to exactly how some of these names are listed; my Strong’s is slightly different than my NIV Concordance.

A generic name for god is “el.” So if you are reading and a name has “el” in it like Israel or Bethel you know it has something to do with a god or God. According to the Vine’s Dictionary in the ancient world it was thought that if you knew a deity’s name that would give you a special “in” with that deity. Nice to know that humanity has not changed much some people still think that they can manipulate God.

The verse that actually started this study was Exodus 6: 2+3. Moses is “pointing out” all of the trouble that the Children are having but God sees it as the opportunity He needs for their deliverance. In the verse He says that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob knew Me as God Almighty (El-Shaddai) but they did not know Me as Lord (Yahweh). Vine’s talks about how scholars relate this phrase (El-Shaddai) to the power of mountains. In Psalm 80 they also had a “God Almighty” but there it is Elohim Saba. So you may need to look for exactly which phrase it is that is being used and I can tell you that the translation you read may handle these phrases just a little different.

In researching I found this website which maybe helpful to you: http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Names_of_G-d/El/el.html

So what name do you know God as or what name has He made Himself known to you? 

Psalm 80

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I have been looking at the names that describe God so as I read Psalm 80 its three repeating verses caught my eye. The verses are #3,7 and 19; the verses add a name of God each time it repeats, and part of my study was to look at body parts and it talks about the face of God.

The three names that are added are:

1. God – Elohim means great or mighty one

2. Almighty – Saba focuses on power to conquer or means commander of the army (host)

3. Lord – Yahweh implies a personal covenant relationship with the true God

Different translations handle these verses differently so checking several will be a good study. (I used the NIV.) I did a definition study of the other words in the verse and a loose translation without the names would be:  Physical bring us back O (different names) establish favorable circumstances as a sign of favor so that we can be rescued from earthly enemies.

If you now read the verse adding the definitions for the names, it really adds a new depth to the verse.

I like how Asaph added another name as the Psalm proceeded. Now there are three other sets of names in Psalm 80 the first is “Shepherd of Israel” and then in verses 4 and 14 and these are combinations of Lord, God, and Almighty; if numerology interests you that is six times the names of God are used and a total of twelve individual uses.

Asaph starts the Psalm by calling on the Shepherd of Israel who led Joseph.  I like that title – Shepherd of Israel.  I read several ideas about why he would start off with Joseph and then mention Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh so know that you will find many ideas. So here is mine; Joseph is actually the “firstborn heir” which was an important position in a Hebrew family.  Benjamin was his brother by the same mother and Ephraim and Manasseh are his children; that would make them Rachel’s (the “loved wife”) children. Jacob was making Joseph the “ruler” of the family when the brothers got rid of him. One sign of this was the coat of many colors. He actually was the first-born son just not the first-born son, but Reuben lost the birthright of the first-born (Genesis 35:22).

Here are a few other “nuggets” that I found in doing this study.

  1. “Restore” carries the idea of return or repent; it is different from the New Testament “repent” or metanoia. Metanoia is a mental change while shoob or restore usually refers to a physical return.
  2. The word for face is paneh which comes from panah; it means to turn or look. Another word is paniym and it refers to the “face bread” or shewbread that was put into the Tabernacle.  They did not have a physical image of God, but they had the bread. I am not an etymologist, so I do not know if they are related but the Spanish word for bread is pan.
  3. I read in my Bible Glow app; that the psalms in Book 1 (#1-41) more often use Yahweh (the Lord) and Book 2 (#42-72) uses Elohim (God) more often, there is no apparent reason for this grouping.
  4. A little background – this is in the Third Book of Psalms and most of these are attributed to Asaph (means gather or collector). He was a Levite and part of King David’s praise team.

I used my Strong’s Concordance with Vines Dictionary as a reference book. pic of bread from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challah