... and we’re done with them for a while. The next big group of them show up in the first two weeks in July. After that, there are only a handful remaining.
This week and next week: we move into the history of Solomon’s reign, including the building and dedication of the Temple.
And, next week: our first taste of Proverbs!
Blessings,
Steve
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We are reading The One Year Chronological Bible (New Living Translation - Tyndale). The best way is with your own copy of this Bible translation. Or, copy and paste this link to the daily reading schedule:
http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/readingplan/oneyearchronologicalbiblereadingplan.pdf
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I have received some great questions and comments from readers over the years we've been doing this daily Bible read. Here are some great ones about Psalms.
Who were the Psalms for (and how did we get them)?
I am wondering for whom the psalms were written: God? David? Other people? And, related, how did we get them?
1. QUESTION: “I keep wondering how the written psalms were passed along to us. While some seem specifically written to a person (example Psalm 39 to Jeduthun, director of music) others are very personal conversations between the Psalmist and God. Did the Psalmist (David) write down these intensely personal thoughts with the intention of sharing them with others?"
ANSWER: Israelites were referred to as "People of the Book." This was partly due to the preservation of the so-called "Books of Moses" in written form. But also because they continued to write everything down ... the words of the kings, the battles, the history of the Promised Land settlement, religious matters, etc. Sadly, we don't have all the books. But the ones we have include 150 psalms.
The psalms were intended for use in worship. Often, you will see an inscription at the beginning of a psalm, such as, "To Jeduthun, Director of Music." These are transmittal notices; as if to say, "Send this one over to the worship team so they can get it ready to perform at the next service." Also, when the king wrote the psalm, it was always preserved. But even those for which we are not certain about authorship, they became part of the worship music for the Temple, and were thus preserved (like a hymnal).
Many of them were very personal, and that was a large part of their attractiveness as worship songs. People could connect to them because they could relate.
2. QUESTION: ”I have a question about Psalm 22:16 that I'd never thought about before. Do you think David had some foreknowledge that Jesus would be crucified (‘pierced my hands and feet’), perhaps revealed to him by the Spirit Also, this and other psalms note it is to be sung to the tune of ____. How interesting if we could actually hear these tunes!”
ANSWER: Most scholars consider psalm 22 to be prophetic, as well as some other psalms, too. It’s important to recall that, with regard to David, the Holy Spirit fell on him and remained on him ... the first time this was specifically stated of someone.
3. COMMENT: “A psalm that has always stood out to me is Psalm 37. It's hard to attempt to understand injustice. When I see evil flourish in the world today, as in the OT world, it's hard. It's hard for me to read how unfairly women were treated in the OT and in many cultures today. And not only women; there is unfairness and injustice everywhere. I'm reminded that God's word calls me to help the oppressed and the abused, forgotten, etc., but Psalm 37 reminds me it is ultimately His responsibility to judge. ‘Don't worry about evil people who prosper... the LORD just laughs, for He sees their day of judgement coming.’"
NOTES
1. An OT Christology at Psalm 110 (May 14th). Recognize any of these prophetic references?
2. “Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God....” Psalm 50:14 (May 17th).
3. Solomon’s asks for wisdom! 2Chron 1:7ff (May 20th)
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The "Almost Missed It" Department
In our sprint through the scriptures, I almost missed commenting on this. Does it sound a little familiar? Among David's final instructions to Solomon was this gem: "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don't be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." (May 4th, 1st Chronicles 28:20a) You can cross reference this with Hebrews 13:5.
PREVIEWS OF COMING ATTRACTIONS
Proverbs! - Ecclesiastes! - Song of Solomon! - Kings!
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