Psalm 97
Fire goes before him,
and consumes his adversaries on every side.
Where is the truth in this passage from the psalms? Once again I feel compelled to rail against the literalists who believe that the Bible is verbatim the word of God. More than the word and message from God, this book we call holy would be his actual words. It just isn't so! This line from scripture is yet another indication that the books of the bible are written by man to express the relationship, the love affair of a people with God. The texts were written in different times by different people. These people had different visions of God based on their own experiences yet they all indicated a love of God and conveyed a message God wished us to know.
Is God concerned with adversaries on every side? Wouldn't this seem like more of a human description? It is consistant with what we know of recorded history and the lives of the Hebrew people living a life with kingdoms fighting for control and enemies who to this very day have an interest in their total destruction. So these words are not the precise words of God but rather of a godly people trying to express and record their history as God's chosen people.
God's chosen people. Hmmmm. Is this possibly not unlike the phrase "the disciple whom Jesus loved"? It can be taken several ways. Is the disciple (the writer of that particular Gospel) trying to say that Jesus loved him? Isn't it possible that the Israelites knew God loved them and professed that they were God's chosen people when in fact we are ALL God's chosen people? Food for thought.
But then what can we glean from this psalm? It once again is trying to tell us pure and contrite hearts. God loves the righteous (not the self righteous). God loves all of us but he wants us all to have a relationship with him, know our worth and love others. The 2 great commandments lived out, day in and day out.
Fire goes before him,
and consumes his adversaries on every side.
Where is the truth in this passage from the psalms? Once again I feel compelled to rail against the literalists who believe that the Bible is verbatim the word of God. More than the word and message from God, this book we call holy would be his actual words. It just isn't so! This line from scripture is yet another indication that the books of the bible are written by man to express the relationship, the love affair of a people with God. The texts were written in different times by different people. These people had different visions of God based on their own experiences yet they all indicated a love of God and conveyed a message God wished us to know.
Is God concerned with adversaries on every side? Wouldn't this seem like more of a human description? It is consistant with what we know of recorded history and the lives of the Hebrew people living a life with kingdoms fighting for control and enemies who to this very day have an interest in their total destruction. So these words are not the precise words of God but rather of a godly people trying to express and record their history as God's chosen people.
God's chosen people. Hmmmm. Is this possibly not unlike the phrase "the disciple whom Jesus loved"? It can be taken several ways. Is the disciple (the writer of that particular Gospel) trying to say that Jesus loved him? Isn't it possible that the Israelites knew God loved them and professed that they were God's chosen people when in fact we are ALL God's chosen people? Food for thought.
But then what can we glean from this psalm? It once again is trying to tell us pure and contrite hearts. God loves the righteous (not the self righteous). God loves all of us but he wants us all to have a relationship with him, know our worth and love others. The 2 great commandments lived out, day in and day out.
The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
Clouds and thick darkness are all around him;
righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Fire goes before him,
and consumes his adversaries on every side.
His lightnings light up the world;
the earth sees and trembles.
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord,
before the Lord of all the earth.
The heavens proclaim his righteousness;
and all the peoples behold his glory.
All worshippers of images are put to shame,
those who make their boast in worthless idols;
all gods bow down before him.
Zion hears and is glad,
and the towns of Judah rejoice,
because of your judgements, O God.
For you, O Lord, are most high over all the earth;
you are exalted far above all gods.
The Lord loves those who hate evil;
he guards the lives of his faithful;
he rescues them from the hand of the wicked.
Light dawns for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!
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