Sunday Sermonette: Weird Theology

Now we say goodbye to Asaph, and start what was evidently originally a new hymnal. " Gittith " is probably a musical instrument, but it could be a tune. The meaning is unknown. Anway, whenever these were composed, they aren ' t monotheistic. In psalm 84, Yahweh is the " God of gods " in verse 7, and otherwise the " Lord of hosts, " referring to an assemblage of god over which Yahweh is supreme. Psalm 85 is another of those that refers to some unspecified time in which the nation is afflicted and God seems to have withdrawn his favor. It does not seem to refer to the Babylonian exile, however, because the people seem still to be in the land, it ' s just that times are hard. Generally this group of psalms seems to have an earlier origin. Psalm 86 makes this even more clear. It is attributed to David, and it refers explicitly to the existence of multiple gods in verse 8. Again, the protagonist is in unspecified dire circumstances.In case you ' re wondering how much longer we ' ll have to put up with this doggerel, we ' re about 2/3 of the way through. There are 150 psalms. Unfortunately, we ' ll get to the proverbs next, so more interesting stuff is a way off.84 How lovely is thy dwelling place,OLord of hosts!2 My soul longs, yea, faints    for the courts of theLord;my heart and flesh sing for joy    to the living God.3 Even the sparrow finds a home,    and the swallow a nest for herself,  ...
Source: Stayin' Alive - Category: American Health Source Type: blogs