Encountering the Old Testament by Bill T. Arnold

Encountering the Old Testament by Bill T. Arnold

Author:Bill T. Arnold [Arnold, Bill T. and Bryan E. Beyer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: REL006090, REL006210, REL006160, Bible (Old Testament)—Textbooks
ISBN: 9781493401918
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2015-08-11T22:00:00+00:00


Painting from the tomb of Nebamun, fourteenth century BC, showing a beautiful garden where date palms, sycamore figs, and mandrake plants ring a pool that provided a constant water supply. Psalm 1 is a wisdom psalm that compares the righteous to trees planted by streams of life-giving water.

© Baker Publishing Group and Dr. James C. Martin. The British Museum

Psalm 14 is another example. David describes the fool, who said God did not exist. Those who followed the fool also followed wickedness. They lived immoral lives because they did not believe God’s judgment would ever come. But David assures his readers that one day God would restore the fortunes of the righteous. Living for the Lord was worth the effort!

Asaph, one of David’s musicians, wrote Psalm 73. In it, he offers his personal testimony. Asaph felt discouraged because even though he followed the Lord faithfully, he suffered, while the wicked practiced evil and seemed to live better than he did. Asaph testified that he almost decided that serving the Lord was pointless. But one day, as he stood in God’s sanctuary, he realized the priceless heritage he had. God was his portion forever, and nothing else on earth really mattered. Asaph encourages his hearers to learn from his experience.

Royal Psalms

Basic characteristics of royal psalms

Royal psalms focus on Israel’s king. They usually describe him as God’s special representative to rule Israel. The Lord would accomplish his purpose through his anointed servant. They also sometimes portray him as heir to God’s covenant with David (2 Sam. 7). His faithfulness would bring God’s blessing forever.

Examples of royal psalms

Psalm 2 provides a good example of a royal psalm. It begins by describing the nations’ haughty attitude toward the Lord and his anointed—Israel’s king. But God would deal with them in his fury. He had installed his king on Mount Zion and established a father-son relationship with him. Many interpreters believe this psalm was a coronation psalm that the Israelites recited as they crowned a new king.

Psalm 45 is a second example of a royal psalm. Verse 1 mentions a dedication to the king, and verses 3–5 challenge him to march victoriously in battle. Following praise to God in verse 6, verses 7–9 extol the king’s love of righteousness and affirm God’s anointing of him. The rest of the psalm praises the king for his splendor as he prepares for his wedding.

Psalm 110 is yet another example of a royal psalm. The word “king” does not occur until verse 5, but David refers to himself in the word “my” in verse 1—“The LORD says to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.’” The Lord would shatter other kings and extend David’s scepter. He also ordained David a special kind of priest. The Lord’s presence with David would result in the ultimate victory of God’s people. Those kings who opposed him would fall to his fury.

Messianic Psalms

Basic characteristics of messianic psalms

Messianic psalms, as their name implies, describe the Messiah, God’s anointed one.



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