Psalm 33:6-9: Difference between revisions
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==<span id="fiat"></span>[[Fiat Creation]]== | ==<span id="fiat"></span>[[Fiat Creation]]== | ||
Verse 9 of this psalm is sometimes used out of context as a [[proof text]] of an "instantaneous" creation{{RedStar}}, but a cursory reading shows that the psalm celebrates the '''on-going''' goodness of the LORD as both Creator '''and Sustainer,''' celebrating his relationship with those who "fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy"(v. 18) — note the present tense (''gathereth, layeth'' KJV, ''piles, puts'' JPS, NET) in v.7! It covers a period of three days in the week of Genesis 1 and does not add to the meaning of Genesis or entitle us to impose a particular meaning of ''instantaneity'' on Genesis. See [[F. F. Bruce, Word and Wisdom]]. | Verse 9 of this psalm is sometimes used out of context as a [[proof text]] of an "instantaneous" creation{{RedStar}}, but a cursory reading shows that the psalm celebrates the '''on-going''' goodness of the LORD as both Creator '''and Sustainer,''' celebrating his relationship with those who "fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy"(v. 18) — note the present tense (''gathereth, layeth'' KJV, ''piles, puts'' JPS, NET) in v.7! It covers a period of three days in the week of Genesis 1 and does not add to the meaning of Genesis or entitle us to impose a particular meaning of ''instantaneity'' on Genesis. See [[F. F. Bruce, Word and Wisdom]]. | ||
::::{{RedStar}}''' | ::::{{RedStar}}'''Logic that has a comical result if applied to [[Psalm 68:11]]! — [[User:Bruce|BP]] | ||
See also [[Psalm 33:13-15]] and [[Created, Formed and Made]]. | See also [[Psalm 33:13-15]] and [[Created, Formed and Made]]. | ||
===<span id="probs"></span>Problems with literal reading=== | ===<span id="probs"></span>Problems with literal reading=== | ||
The claim is made [[Comment on Creation/EC/TE - Bible implications#lit|here]] that the psalm "accepts" events of early Genesis "as literally true". A truly literal reading is impossible, however, as with [[Psalm 8:3-6]]. The psalm is poetry, and its language is poetical. The ''host'' (army) of heaven itself is [[Metaphorical Language|a metaphor]]; God speaking with the breath of his mouth is metaphorical anthropomorphism. | The claim is made [[Comment on Creation/EC/TE - Bible implications#lit|here]] that the psalm "accepts" events of early Genesis "as literally true". A truly literal reading is impossible, however, as with [[Psalm 8:3-6]]. The psalm is poetry, and its language is poetical. The ''host'' (army) of heaven itself is [[Metaphorical Language|a metaphor]]; God speaking with the breath of his mouth is metaphorical anthropomorphism. | ||
{{MidChain|Psalm 8:3-6| references said to [[Comment on Creation/EC/TE - Bible implications#lit|"accept"]] a literal Genesis |Psalm 94:8-9|#D4EFB8|#4D5642}} | {{MidChain|Psalm 8:3-6| references said to [[Comment on Creation/EC/TE - Bible implications#lit|"accept"]] a literal Genesis |Psalm 94:8-9|#D4EFB8|#4D5642}} | ||
Revision as of 07:49, 3 July 2023
Template:HB→Bible→Old Testament→Psalms
KJV
6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
JPS
7 He heaps up the ocean waters like a mound, stores the deep in vaults.
NET
7 He piles up the water of the sea; he puts the oceans[a] in storehouses.
[a] tn Or "watery depths." The form תְּהוֹמוֹת (téhomot, "watery depths") is the plural form of תְּהוֹם (téhom, "great deep"; see Gen 1:2). [Gunkel identified language from ANE creation myth here. — BP]
A Creation Record
See The Primal Sea.
This psalm alludes to Genesis chapter 1. Verse 6 of this psalm refers to both the second day (the creation of the firmament) and the fourth day (the great lights and stars put in the firmament) in Genesis, while verse 7 refers to the first part of the third day.
| ← back to Yahweh's victory over the Primal Sea | A tour of the Bible's Creation Texts | next → |
Fiat Creation
Verse 9 of this psalm is sometimes used out of context as a proof text of an "instantaneous" creation★, but a cursory reading shows that the psalm celebrates the on-going goodness of the LORD as both Creator and Sustainer, celebrating his relationship with those who "fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy"(v. 18) — note the present tense (gathereth, layeth KJV, piles, puts JPS, NET) in v.7! It covers a period of three days in the week of Genesis 1 and does not add to the meaning of Genesis or entitle us to impose a particular meaning of instantaneity on Genesis. See F. F. Bruce, Word and Wisdom.
- ★Logic that has a comical result if applied to Psalm 68:11! — BP
See also Psalm 33:13-15 and Created, Formed and Made.
Problems with literal reading
The claim is made here that the psalm "accepts" events of early Genesis "as literally true". A truly literal reading is impossible, however, as with Psalm 8:3-6. The psalm is poetry, and its language is poetical. The host (army) of heaven itself is a metaphor; God speaking with the breath of his mouth is metaphorical anthropomorphism.
| ← prev. . . . references said to "accept" a literal Genesis . . . next → |
