Author: Gene Slavit

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Psalms

Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 55

 

Terebinth Tree

Click here to read PSALM 55 in poetic form.

Background

This Psalm has the title “Maschil,” which means instruction. Psalm 55 is separated into three sections, each separated with the Hebrew term “Selah,” which means to pause. Some Bible teachers say this connected the truths that come before and after the term. It has a closing subscript “To the chief Musician upon Jonath-elem-rechokim,” which means “a dove flying through faraway Terebinth trees.” This could refer to David’s many wanderings through the wilderness, fleeing from his enemies. Compare verses 6 and 7 of this Psalm: “And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness.”

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Hope

The Hawk and Covid-19

red hawk

I went for a run yesterday to the top of our hill. Which is like a small mountain. It was a sunny day with ocean views and beautiful flowering plants and even some nice people to meet.

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Psalms

Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 54

Click here to read PSALM 54 in poetic form.

Background

This Psalm has the title “Maschil,” which means instruction. It also has the title: “A Psalm of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us?” This refers to I Samuel 23:19,20:  “Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand.”

God delivered David from this attack. The Ziphites tried again in I Samuel 26:1: “And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?” Although Saul sought David, God delivered Saul into David’s hand at that time. Yet David showed Saul mercy and did not kill him.

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Psalms

Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 53

jesus cross
A possible view from the cross at Calvary.

Click here to read PSALM 53 in poetic form.

Background

This Psalm has the title “Maschil,” which means instruction. It was used for public teaching and shows the victory God gives through His Messiah.

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Psalms

Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 52

 

Olive Tree

Click here to read PSALM 52 in poetic form.

Background

The Psalm’s title reads: “A Psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech.” This record shows another of David’s big mistakes when he failed to warn Ahimelech and his family of an upcoming attack by Saul (I Samuel 21:1-9; 22:6-23). Even though David was not perfect, he was still said to be a man after God’s own heart (I Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22).

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Psalms

Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 51

 

Hyssop
Hyssop

Click here to read PSALM 51 in poetic form.

Background

The Psalm’s title reads: “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.” This refers to the record in II Samuel 11:1—12:23 where David took Bathsheba and was confronted by Nathan. Perhaps Psalm 51 is what David thought or prayed when he “fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth” (II Samuel 12:16).

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Psalms

Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 50

Lightning 1

Click here to read PSALM 50 in poetic form.

Background

The title includes “A Psalm of Asaph.” This is the only Psalm with this title in the “Exodus” book of the Psalms (Psalms 42-72). There are 11 Psalms (73-83) with this title in the “Leviticus” book of Psalms (Psalms 73-89). Regarding Asaph, Nehemiah 7:44 speaks of “The singers: the children of Asaph.”

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Psalms

Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 49

David's Harp

Click here to read PSALM 49 in poetic form.

Background

The title includes “for the sons of Korah.” Regarding the sons of Korah, I Chronicles 9:19 says: “And Shallum the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his brethren, of the house of his father, the Korahites, were over the work of the service, keepers of the gates of the tabernacle: and their fathers, being over the host of the Lord, were keepers of the entry.” They were responsible for service in the tabernacle and later the Temple.

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Psalms

Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 48

Hen-and-Chicks

Click here to read PSALM 48 in poetic form.

Background

Some Bible teachers believe that Psalms 46, 47, and 48 where written by King Hezekiah regarding the siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib (II Kings 18:13—19:37; II Chronicles 32:1-23; Isaiah 36:1—37:38). Some references relate to specific aspects of Jerusalem and its environs, as well as to conditions in a siege.

Like Psalm 46 and 47, this Psalm shows God’s majesty and power being greater than that of the Assyrians and Sennacherib their king. Psalm 48 shows God as “the great King” overall (verse 2).

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Psalms

Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 47

tabernacle

Click here to read PSALM 47 in poetic form.

Background

Some Bible teachers believe that Psalms 46, 47, and 48 were written by King Hezekiah regarding the siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib (II Kings 18:13—19:37; II Chronicles 32:1-23; Isaiah 36:1—37:38). Some references relate to specific aspects of Jerusalem and its environs, as well as to conditions in a siege.

Continue reading “Psalms in Poetic Form: Psalm 47”