On Psalm 109 and Faith

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by JWBear

Psalm 109 is basically a long prayer for vengeance. Here it is in the New International Version Bible

So it's not intended for a specific person, but anyone who doesn't share your beliefs?

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

So it's not intended for a specific person, but anyone who doesn't share your beliefs?

It was written by David. He's praying to have God destroy his enemies and his enemies' families. I do not recall if they were of a different belief, but it is probable.

[flippyshark]

Originally Posted by JWBear

It was written by David. He's praying to have God destroy his enemies and his enemies' families. I do not recall if they were of a different belief, but it is probable.

In one Jewish commentary I read, many of the "imprecatory psalms" were actually intended as a warning for Israel itself, by writers who thought the nation had gone astray.

(Most modern scholars agree that the psalms are the work of many hands, most of them writing post-exile, long after David. But, the earliest material in the book may date back to the earliest songs of temple worship. Even conservative scholars contend that David only wrote some of the psalms, and then helped anthologize other sacred songs into the book.)

I suspect the Christians behind the "Obama prayer" merchandise stumbled across the verse, saw the line about someone taking over the office, and thought they were being oh-so-clever. I doubt they paid the slightest attention to context. I'll even bet that if they were taken to task about "Let his days be short," they would say "Oh, we only mean his days in office. We would never wish death on anyone." And they would disclaim any attempt to add adjacent verses.

In other words, they have cherry-picked, which is something the fundies are long-practiced at. (So adept that they don't see it is themselves they are deceiving.)

On the other hand, I've heard there was a secret chord that David played, and it pleased the lord ...

[Gn2Dlnd]

Originally Posted by flippyshark

I'll even bet that if they were taken to task about "Let his days be short," they would say "Oh, we only mean his days in office. We would never wish death on anyone." And they would disclaim any attempt to add adjacent verses.

In other words, they have cherry-picked, which is something the fundies are long-practiced at. (So adept that they don't see it is themselves they are deceiving.)

I would say that this practice is not exclusive to "fundies." If I were asked for proof, I'd point to this thread.



I said, "IF."

[Gn2Dlnd]

Originally Posted by Gn2Dlnd

I would say that this practice is not exclusive to "fundies." If I were asked for proof, I'd point to this thread.



I said, "IF."

That just makes no sense. No sense at all.