Natan’s Commentary on Psalms 8–14

Psalm 8

Psalm 8:5, A little lower than Elohim/the angels. The Hebrew says elohim. Is this referring to Elohim (“God”) or to elohim (gods); that is, to the sons of Elohim or beney Elohim (hosts of heaven or angels)as mentioned in Job 1:6 and 2:1? The KJV assumes the first interpretation, while the NKJV assumes the second translation. The second translation seems preferable, since man is not a little lower than Elohim, but is light years below him. By contrast, man is a little lower than the angels. The writer of Hebrews assumes that elohim in this verse is referring not to Elohim but to the sons of Elohim when in Heb 2:7 he quotes this verse and uses the Greek word angelos instead of theos.

Psalm 9

Psalm 9:16, Higgaion. Meditation, resounding music, musing; from hagah meaning “ to moan, growl, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak, groan.” See also Pss. 5:1, 19:14 (meditation), and 92:3 (with a solemn sound).

Psalm 11

Psalm 11:1, Flee as a bird. When the enemy attacks, fleeing to a mountain—escapism—seems tempting, yet it’s not the solution, for the arrows of the wicked can reach one there also. So what can the righteous do (v. 3)? They must trust in YHVH (v. 1) to defend the righteous against the wicked. YHVH will bring judgment against the enemies of the righteous (v. 6), for he loves he righteous (v. 7).

Psalm 11:3, If the foundations are destroyed. We have seen the moral, ethical and spiritual foundations of the West and America destroyed, and our societies are now in chaos; we have lost our way, and are destroying each other because of conflicting values. The righteous sigh and cry for the abominations that are committed and the spiritual darkness that has descended upon the land like a led blanket, and for the evil that is overtaking us like a tsunami.

Psalm 11:3–7, What can the righteous do? So what can the righteous do when evil is overtaking them like a tsunami? The psalmist doesn’t answer this question directly. Perhaps there is no answer, at least in the immediate future. Certain things in the course of human events simply have to play out to fulfill the larger, global purposes of Elohim. But the righteous can be assured of several things. Elohim is in heaven ruling, and nothing man can do will change undermine much less destroys the sovereignty of Elohim (v. 4). Moreover, YHVH hates violence and the wicked (v. 5), and he will eventually pass a fiery judgment upon them (v. 6). This is an allusion to the lake of fire, which is the ultimate fate of the wicked. Through it all, the righteous can be assured that YHVH loves them and he keeps them in his sight through all the perils and evil machinations of the wicked (v. 7).

Psalm 14

Psalm 14:1, The fool has said in his heart.Atheists and Elohim haters often don’t verbalize their true belief, but their actions reveal what is really in their heart as the next several verses go on to show. By one’s fruits, the real beliefs of the heart are evidenced.

The modern alternative to believing in a Divine Creator is to credit our existence to evolution, to aliens, or some unknown and undefined spiritual entity somewhere. This is utter idiotic foolishness because it require leaps of faith to believe such, even though there is not a shred of evidence to support such a belief.

 

2 thoughts on “Natan’s Commentary on Psalms 8–14

  1. We were created a little lower than the angels and we’ve been getting a little lower ever since -don’t recall who said that. Lincoln referred to the better angels of our nature, but I dunno ’bout that! All I do know is I don’t know HOW we’re gonna get through this, I only know WHO!

  2. Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is Love.
    This is how we will get through all of the horror that is happening.
    Blessings, John

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