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Liberty University *
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Religion
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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Uploaded by MagistrateVulture3026
Psalms 8 is a hymn of admiration for the Hebrew God, Yahweh. The author of this Psalm
praises Yahweh's majesty and strength while affirming that Yahweh is the proper ruler of all
creation. As the great and powerful ruler, Yahweh's blessings are marveled by all of creation.
Yahweh is also referred to throughout the song as the defender of the Hebrew people, and the
author asks Yahweh to bless and safeguard them. The Egyptian Book of the Dead, on the other
hand, is an assortment of psalms and hymns meant to be recited by the deceased in the afterlife.
These hymns and prayers give thanks to the sun deity Ra and implore him to guard and lead the
dead as they pass through the afterlife. "
Knowledge of the Book of the Dead, a masterpiece of
ancient Egyptian religious literature in verse, or even just its presence in the grave (even in
abbreviated version) should give the deceased safe access to the realm of the dead and guarantee
that all of his physical and mental abilities and abilities that he had on earth will be preserved
forever.
" (Vachala, 2014)
The Egyptian Book of the Dead and Psalm 8 share similarities. Both writings honor a
powerful idol and urge this higher dimensional being to defend and protect their populations.
Idols are also praised and worshiped in hymns by rejoicing both God(s). Each document shares
some differences as well. A collection of hymns and prayers intended for use by the deceased in
the afterlife can be found in the Egyptian Book of the Dead, whereas Psalm 8 is a song of praise
to Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews. Further, the Egyptian Book of the Dead emphasizes the
afterlife and the soul's journey more than Psalm 8, which highlights Yahweh's strength, majesty,
and adoration from each creation.
The conclusions drawn by the editors about Hebrew monotheism are accurate. The
Hebrews were not genuinely monotheistic until Moses brought the concept into their culture.
Genesis demonstrates that prior to Moses' introduction of the idea of monotheism, the Hebrew
people worshipped a variety of idols, including Yahweh. "
A more likely scenario is that the
Hebrews, like every other culture in the ancient world, worshipped a variety of deities, with
Yahweh in a place of particular importance and centrality." (The Yahwist Religion and Judaism,
2022) The Hebrew people didn't start to worship just Yahweh until after Moses had led them out
of slavery in Egypt and given them the Ten Commandments.
Finally, based on my understanding of the nature of men, one of the main reasons for the
similarities in believing in a higher authoritative power that serves to protect humans is primarily
psychological. As humans, we feel the need to be protected. The world can certainly be
dangerous, and almost instinctually, believing in some greater force is a sense of relief for many
people. Hebrews 11:1 NIV says, "
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what
we do not see." (New International Version, 1978/2011) The similarity connects by the praise and
worship that rejoice and honor God for protecting humanity.
References
Egyptian Book of the Dead: Hymns of Praise to Ra. (2023).
Daily Life through History
.
Retrieved March 29, 2023, from
https://dailylife2-abc--clio-
com.eu1.proxy.openathens.net/Search/Display/1824795
The Yahwist Religion and Judaism
. Humanities. (2022). LibreTexts.
https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/History/World_History/Book
%3A_Western_Civilization_-
_A_Concise_History_I_(Brooks)/04%3A_The_Bronze_Age_and_the_Iron_Age/4.08%3A
_The_Yahwist_Religion_and_Judaism
Vachala, B. (2014). Going out in Daylight - prt m hrw: the Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead -
translation, sources, meanings.
Archiv Orientalni, 82
(2), 389-390.
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-
journals/going-out-daylight-prt-m-hrw-ancient-egyptian/docview/1629401642/se-2
Psalm 8 ESV - Bible Gateway. (n.d.). https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm
%2B8&version=ESV&interface=print
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