Walking through the Psalms when you can't leave the house

Psalm 44 is a strange one. We are used to prophetic diatribes accusing the people of having forsaken their covenant with God.  This is a little bit different.  It is obvious from the content that it speaks from a time of defeat in battle or war, although it has no detail for us to fix on a specific occasion.  This time the content creates its own context. verses 1 - 4 These comprise that style of ancient literature that has been called 'The Appeal to History', restating the ways in which God has helped the Hebrews in seizing the land from its former inhabitants.  The psalmist fully accepts that victory had nothing to do with the nation, but rather had depended on divine intervention. verses 5 - 8 elaborate on the theme, and make it clear that the people have given God the glory, and have not claimed it for themselves. Then the psalm turns, completely. verses 9 - 12 are a cri de couer , the anguish of rout and defeat, of flight and pillage, of a ref...

Continuing onward For this week, I thought that we could look at Psalm 30.  The heading for this psalm is a little ambiguous, because it is literally 'A dedication song for the house'.  While it is tempting to suggest that this was used at the opening of the Temple for worship during either Solomon's reign (approximately 960 BCE) or the rebuilding after the Exile (516 BCE) the meaning of 'the house' need not mean 'the Temple'.  It is possible that it was originally a blessing for a home, although the content seems a bit odd if that is so.  Anyway.... verse 1 An opening of great joy and relief.  Being 'drawn out' could be linked to imagery of a well, or of a pit.  Either way, the psalmist is raised up and is in the daylight, rather than hidden from it.  His enemies cannot rejoice over him, because God has raised him above them. verses 2 & 3 The psalmist gives thanks for healing from a sickness that he thought could lead to death, healing...

To begin at the beginning... During this time of crisis it occurred to me that it might be of interest to continue the Bible studies I had been leading during Lent.  These focussed on the historical context of some of the Psalms, and how this can help our understanding and appreciation of them. You will need a Bible although, as I always say, having two or more translations in front of you generally helps! Psalm 2 This falls within the category of 'Royal' psalms, and is regarded as a song at a coronation. While the language may seem to indicate a specific historical context, many scholars see it as having a general use.  It is divided into four sung 'verses', each of three Biblical verses. Verses 1 - 3 The world is constantly in rebellion against God, and therefore against the newly anointed king.  It is the king's task to bring them to order, and to restore the bonds that have previously (in theory) held them in obedience.  This is a gene...