So, I have been keeping up with my reading, but not my blogging.
Psalms 89, 96, 100-101, 105, 132
The psalms are not grouped particularly. Ps. 89, 132 refers to God’s pledge to David. Ps. 96 includes “Sing to the Lord a new Song,” which goes well with returning the Arc to the center of Israelite life. Ps. 100 has “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.” Also noteworthy for surviving into hymns today. And, noteworthy for including all of the earth, not just the children of Zion. Ps. 105 is a lengthy account of the exodus, which is interesting. (I wonder why we didn’t read it earlier, like during the exodus.) Ps. 101 is a generic hymn of praise.
2 Samuel 6-7; 1 Chronicles 17
Here 2 Samuel gets the arc to Jerusalem. Saul’s daughter throws shade toward David for not acting dignified. Then David take a pro-populist stance justifying his dancing that would later be imitated by Gospel writers describing Jesus eating with the commoners.
Curiously 2 Sam 7 & 1 Chron 17 include God saying that David’s offspring will build the temple. 1 Chron 17:11: “When your days are over and you go to be with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever.”
I thought David didn’t get to build the temple as punishment. I guess God knew he would hook up with that dude’s wife already?
Psalms 25, 29, 33, 36, 39
Ps. 33 continues the later evolution of God. Both as God of any and all nations, and as omnipotent creator. “For he spoke, and it came to be; he command, and it stood firm.” This is the God of the Priestly creation story found in Gen. 1, not the Yahwehist story found in Gen. 2. Ps. 36 provides an alternative to Israelite/non-Israelite divide. Instead, it is the upright/evildoers divide.
Then we get this sweet little emo gem from Psalm 39. Here’s the last stanza:
“Hear my prayer, Lord,
listen to my cry for help;
do not be deaf to my weeping.
I dwell with you as a foreigner,
a stranger, as all my ancestors were.
Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again
before I depart and am no more.”
The Smiths would be proud.