FOR CH 7 FINAL RTCH500 Week Three Exegesis Research Paper Context of the Passage Psalms
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EXEGESIS RESEARCH PAPER: CONTEXT OF THE PASSAGE PSALM 1:1-6
Lisa M. Holden-Smalls
RTCH 500: Research, Writing & Ministry Preparation
February 5, 2023
Contents
Introduction
...............................................................................................................................
1
Historical Context
.....................................................................................................................
2
Cultural Context
.......................................................................................................................
3
Literary Context
.......................................................................................................................
5
Bibliography
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6
ii
Introduction
The Hebrew scripture constitutes written patterns of stories, poems, narrative, prose, and
poetry, all with a particular meaning and message that directs how it is interpreted.
1
One type of
biblical poetry is the Psalms, which also presents evidence that they were accompanied by music
in a liturgical setting.
2
The Psalms displays figurative language revealing metaphors,
personifications, imagery, and similes, to identify a few. The author’s goal for figurative
language is to compare the qualities of similar subjects to form a picture in the reader’s mind to
make a point. In contrast, the biblical scriptures of Psalms either exemplify a man’s character and
deeds or the affiliation between Yahweh and the people of Israel.
3
Contemporary ultimatums generally steer individuals into pursuing material possessions
showcasing the hunt for blessings, which is often reflected in the approach and substance of the
prayer without an option for scriptural teachings. One such search lies in the introduction of the
entire book, Psalm 1.
Connecting the historical, cultural, and literary context of the
principles or teachings through a thorough study of Psalm 1 will facilitate a change of
opinion about the significance of the blessings as it applies to our daily living.
1
The Cambridge Companion to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
, Cambridge Companions to Religion,
New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2016.
2
The Psalms of Solomon: Language, History, Theology
, Early Judaism and Its Literature 40, Atlanta: SBL
Press, 2015.
3
The Cambridge Companion to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
, Cambridge Companions to Religion,
New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2016.
1
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Historical Context
The predominant viewpoint towards the Book of Psalms has gone through a series of
literary debates, from the belief of a disorganized collection of hymns and prayers to the rise of
historical criticism to a theological affirmation of a purposeful arrangement.
4
Psalms 1 and 2
forecast the primary component of the entire book by outlining all that will follow. Psalm 1 lays
out the critical role of the teaching of God or the law given to Moses and presents teachings of
moral order, doing good, and avoiding evil.
5
In essence, the difference is attitude will trust be
placed in man or trust be bestowed unto the Lord (Jer. 17:5-8). Therefore, it instructs as to God’s
will and is thus placed in the category of providing wisdom. Psalm 2 gives an account of the
Davidic son who was assigned by Yahweh a kingdom that will ultimately range to the ends of the
earth.
6
The themes would be the Messiah and Torah or the gospel and the law.
7
Psalms 3 -41 and
42 – 72 provide an account of Israel's history during King David's reign.
4
The Robertson, O Palmer, “The Alphabetic Acrostic in Book I of the Psalms: An Overlooked Element of
Psalter Structure,”
Journal for the Study of the Old Testament
40, no. 2 (December 2015): 225–38.
5
Lussier, Ernest, “The New Latin Psalter: An Exegetical Commentary I Psalms 1 and 2,”
The Catholic
Biblical Quarterly
9, no. 2 (April 1947): 226–34.
6
Kaiser, Walter C, Jr., “The Structure of the Book of Psalms,”
Bibliotheca Sacra
174, no. 693 (January
2017): 3–12.
7
Ibid.
2
Psalms 73 -89 reveal the period of Solomon, the divvied nations, the Northern Kingdom
collapse to the Assyrians, and the downfall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians. Psalms 90-106
focus on the exile of the Israelites.
Psalms 107-150 narrates about the exile homecoming (post-
exilic) and rebuilding of the temple.
8
One essential historical note is that the Israelites were not
spiritually loyal because they had a deep need to be similar to the surrounding countries by
having a king to represent them, even to the point of idol worship. Indicating a life directed by
society instead of God’s divine interactions and principles.
9
Cultural Context
The etymological expressions of Psalm 1 consist of a moralistic type of poetry impelled
by the sovereignties of the law (Torah) and wisdom (hokma) presented by the writer. The time
era could be in the post-exilic times because of the distinct writings from the author addressing
specific groups of people, which are the righteous and wicked or ungodly among the
congregation, creating a division among the people and therefore differentiating between the
believer and the non-believer.
10, 11, 12
8
Smith, Kevin G, and William Domeris, “A Brief History of Psalms Studies,”
Conspectus
6 (September
2008): 97–122.
9
Elder Brad Johnson, Madras Christian Church, email message to author, February 4, 2023.
10
Harmon, Kathleen A, “From the Beginning to the End: Psalm 1, Walking the Way toward Praise of
God,”
Liturgical Ministry
20, no. 4 (Fall 2011): 181–83.
11
Kaiser, Walter C, Jr., “The Structure of the Book of Psalms,”
Bibliotheca Sacra
174, no. 693 (January
2017): 3–12.
12
Elder Brad Johnson, Madras Christian Church, email message to author, February 4, 2023.
3
The righteous delight in the law, whereas the ungodly despise the law and displays
behavior of rebellion and unrepentant believer.
13
Furthermore, for the believer, it is a
remembrance during the time of Moses referring to God’s redemptive favor that discusses the
blessings and cursings of Deuteronomy (Deut. 27: 11-28, New International Version).
Understanding the meaning of some of the Hebrew terminology is crucial when interpreting the
writings. For example, the word blessing signifies “to walk on,” indicating a journey toward
becoming; steadfast perseverance day in and day out. To the believer, he is a “happy man”
because his walk is not out of distress or duty but out of an internalization of God’s Word
through love, respect, and faith in the Eternal God.
14
The English version of blessing is static, inactive, and not moving far from the Hebrew
interpretation of the writings.
15
Furthermore, the righteous is like a tree receiving its life force
from the waters producing fruit throughout its life.
16
Reflecting on the tree, it validates the
benefits of an actual interconnection with God and serves as a symbol of blessing in the Old
Testament; a lush tree. Inversely, the wicked are like dried-up chaff that the wind can blow away,
perishing and excluded from the righteous, the people of God. The chaff derives from the use of
harvest during the Old Testament, symbolizes without value, and is worthy only to be discarded.
Thus, the wicked are effortlessly tossed by worldly pressures going from hither and thither
without a spiritual tiller.
17
The righteous will be blameless by God and be known as His own.
13
Elder Brad Johnson, Madras Christian Church, email message to author, February 4, 2023.
14
Johnson, email.
15
Harmon, Kathleen A, “From the Beginning to the End: Psalm 1, Walking the Way toward Praise of
God,”
Liturgical Ministry
20, no. 4 (Fall 2011): 181–83.
16
Ibid.
17
Elder Brad Johnson, Madras Christian Church, email message to author, February 4, 2023.
Literary Context
4
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Psalm 1 inflames a spark encouraging each of us to travel on a spiritual pilgrim's journey
in which there is no cause for guessing or seeking the unknown because he has an established
agenda or a Memorandum of understanding for our behaviors that includes a roadmap that charts
our personal growth and exploration with Him. As the pilgrim remains steadfast and faithful
through a life of obedience and praise on the journey, the development of a willing delight to
serve from a duty of commandments results in a sweet communion with the Savior.
18
Hence, a duty of delighting in the Lord's way and seeking to understand His ways even
better on a daily basis.
19
The outcome of Psalm 1 reminds this writer of a favorite song that
states, yes, He walks with me, talks with me, and tells me I am his own, and the joy we share as
we tarry there none other has ever known, and we resemble the God who walks with us.
20
18
Harmon, Kathleen A, “From the Beginning to the End: Psalm 1, Walking the Way toward Praise of
God,”
Liturgical Ministry
20, no. 4 (Fall 2011): 181–83.
19
Elder Brad Johnson, Madras Christian Church, email message to author, February 4, 2023.
20
Today, Christian Life, “Merle Haggard: He Walks with Me (in the Garden) Gospel Song,” Youtube,
April 27, 2021,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UBsP0YaxrA
.
5
Bibliography
Harmon, Kathleen A. “From the Beginning to the End: Psalm 1, Walking the Way toward Praise
of God.”
Liturgical Ministry
20, no. 4 (Fall 2011): 181–83.
Kaiser, Walter C, Jr. “The Structure of the Book of Psalms.”
Bibliotheca Sacra
174, no. 693
(January 2017): 3–12.
Lussier, Ernest. “The New Latin Psalter: An Exegetical Commentary I Psalms 1 and 2.”
The
Catholic Biblical Quarterly
9, no. 2 (April 1947): 226–34.
Robertson, O Palmer. “The Alphabetic Acrostic in Book I of the Psalms: An Overlooked Element
of Psalter Structure.”
Journal for the Study of the Old Testament
40, no. 2 (December
2015): 225–38.
Smith, Kevin G, and William Domeris. “A Brief History of Psalms Studies.”
Conspectus
6
(September 2008): 97–122.
The Cambridge Companion to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
. Cambridge Companions to
Religion. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 2016.
The Psalms of Solomon: Language, History, Theology
. Early Judaism and Its Literature 40.
Atlanta: SBL Press, 2015
Today, Christian Life. “Merle Haggard: He Walks with Me (in the Garden) Gospel Song.”
Youtube. April 27, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UBsP0YaxrA.
6