WTW 2022
31 July
Psalms 88-89
Heman & Ethan
Introduction to the Psalms ending book 3…
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_(biblical_figure)
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Thoughts
Psalm 88 is no Psalm 23
More like thanatopsis or from an affliction like Job’s
The oldest Psalm written was likely Psalm 29 and the latest like Psalm 139 likely around 500 BC meaning the psalms were compiled and organized including headings and notes no earlier than circa 500 BC and no later than around 200 BC.
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Questions
Any thoughts as to why Heman is facing the situation he describes? He clearly says God is the one that put him in these circumstances (verses 6-8, 14-18). If he’s correct, would these things not be the result of his sin?
Or were these Heman’s own conclusions because he’d prayed and not gotten relief, causing him to assume God had a hand in bringing these things about?
Do we also see poetic expression in 89:38-39, not an accurate assessment of what was going on? The characterization of God’s actions there seems opposed to verses 33-34.
Has the author perhaps forgotten the statements of verses 30-31 about the consequences of sin, which were taken from the prophet Nathan’s words to David in 2 Samuel 7:14?
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Considerations
Job & Jonah both give a good idea of possible context
Biblical Perspective
Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.
Psalms 42:7
As sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; And the upright shall rule over them in the morning, And their form shall be for Sheol to consume So that they have no habitation. But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me. Selah.
Psalms 49:14 -15
You threw me into the ocean depths, and I sank down to the heart of the sea. The mighty waters engulfed me; I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves. “I sank beneath the waves, and the waters closed over me. Seaweed wrapped itself around my head. I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O Lord my God, snatched me from the jaws of death!
Jonah 2:3,5-6
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Inquiry
Not knowing either Ethan or Heman, nor their times or circumstances, we nevertheless have this great body of scripture which provides us with everything we need to understand all possible general causes and reasons for life situations, responses and prayer such as in these two Psalms.
Can we make a short, comprehensive list of these causes at least from a biblical view? Perhaps we can make two lists: a short list of man’s views and a short list of truth.
For example, the Pharisees asked Jesus a multiple choice question with 2 options, A or B. As per usual JESUS answered E
Who sinned?
A. This man
B. His parents
C.
D.
JESUS answered
E. Neither
So, there are 2 lists (or are there 5?)
Man’s explanations for tragedy
A. Other’s fault
2. God’s fault
iii. Blind pitiless indifference
Δ. Illusion
V. All of the above
God’s Truth regarding tragedy
E. His wise & eternal purpose
