Holy Week: "Hope Psalms"-A Good Read

C Mc

For a good read and a break from politics, considering the "Hope Psalms" (Pss 69–72). Special attention should be given to Ps 71. It has theological and messianic aspects and can be affected by its messianic frames (Pss 69, 72).

“Psalm 71 repeats sentences and motifs that appear in Psalms 22 and 31 (compare vv. 1–3 with 31:1–3; v. 6 with 22:10; v. 12 with 22:11). Because both are used in telling the passion story, Psalm 71 has also been associated with the passion of Jesus and the services of Holy Week.” Mays sees a messianic or royal reading of the psalm itself.

Eaton, view Ps 71, to form a significant connection to Ps 72. Eaton argues that the king here “hopes for renewal of life and the royal ‘greatness’ he knew as ruler in God’s cause.” Together, Pss 71-72 could, therefore, form a paired conclusion. Eaton also argues that Ps 42-43 is royal, thereby forming a royal-messianic frame around the entire book(if correctly interpreted). If one finds Eaton’s suggestion about the royal nature of Ps 42-43 is correct, then this psalm, along with the following royal psalms (Pss 44–45), creates an extended kingly frame around the book (Pss 42–45, 69–72).

Eaton argues that since the individual in Ps 42-43 deals with nations (Ps 43:1) and leads in the progression, he cannot be a regular individual, but is more likely a king. What say ye? CM

SOURCES:
Mays, James Luther. Psalms. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Louisville: John Knox, 1994, pg 234.
Eaton, John H. The Psalms: A Historical and Spiritual Commentary with an Introduction and New Translation. London: T&T Clark, 2003. pp 180, 259, 260

GaoLu

Yes, Ps 71 is a wonderful Psalm of hope and trust.

"In You, O LORD, I put my trust;...My tongue also shall talk of Your righteousness all the day long;"

I meditated there for a while. Thank you so much for sharing this.

C Mc

There are Five Hope Psalms (42–43, 52, 62, 69, 71).

Hope differs in meaning and usage from that of the ancient biblical times. For example,

1. modern secular society has lost the idea of hope as a moral virtuous quality, a concept often found in the Bible.

• Optimism is preferable to pessimistic attitudes, but this is not the same as hope.
• However, hope is frequently considered a necessary therapeutic element after experiencing trauma and grief.
• Furthermore, “hope” often is used for** wishful thinking and desires of** small things.

Rather than portraying a confidence in a future reality as in the Bible, people often speak of possibilities which may or may not actually happen. The Oxford dictionary defines “hope” (n.) in this sense as “a feeling of expectation and desire.”

In addition, the dictionary adds the archaic usage “a feeling of trust” also similar to the biblical usage. The verbal form “to hope” is likewise used for expecting and desiring, as well as intending to do something—adding the “if possible” to the idea.

Other meanings are similar to biblical hope such as a “cause or source of hope” and “grounds for hoping.” Similarly, the Webster’s English dictionary describes the verb “hoping” as an act of cherishing a desire with anticipation (e.g., hoping for a promotion).

In addition, Webster’s suggests a more expectant hoping such as “to desire with expectation of obtainment” or “expect with confidence”—again reflecting similarities to Bible usage.

2. Biblical hope deal with more than mere desires and feelings, although this usage is also found (See. Pss 56, 69).

• The Bible hope is anexpectation certain of fulfillment.
• This certainty is based upon either God’s word (his promises) or his unchanging character (e.g., steadfast love, faithfulness).

Hope without a solid foundation, in either of these two, is not biblical hope in its common sense.

The Old Testament is full of expressions of hope. (e.g. each time God speaks favorably to humankind, the very words are hopeful utterances). Generally, every man's responses vary and include confidence, active waiting, or impatient complaining (e.g. lament psalms). It's important to note, at the very beginning of history, hope is introduced as a divine promise of future victory over sin(Gen 3:15). Geerhardus Vos argues that even prior to the Fall, eschatology is symbolized through the tree of life. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is full of words and acts of hope, as God seeks to encourage confidence in his present and future acts of love. CM

Sources:
-- Walter Brueggemann, Reality, Grief, Hope: Three Urgent Prophetic
Tasks (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2014), 157–8.
-- Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 2003), s.v. “hoping.”
-- Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson, eds., Concise Oxford English Dictionary (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004), s.v. “hope.”

-- Geerhardus Vos, The Eschatology of the Old Testament (ed. James T. Dennison; Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing, 2001), 37.

GaoLu

Some excellent thoughts. Thanks.

I don't want to derail the excellent thoughts here, yet am curious. Do you think one can maintain a pessimistic attitude and also have biblical hope?

I might argue that it may happen, for example, a person who is depressed for a variety of reasons, even biological, may have hope even in their depression--think Job. The Hope Psalms would surely be a helpful antidote, at least a hope-giving antidote.

C Mc

GaoLu,
I don't know. You would have to ask someone who is pessimistic. As you rightly said, "The Hope Psalms would surely be a helpful antidote, at least a hope." The Biblical Hope stand independent of what one thinks. It's like warm bright sun rays piercing the cloudy skies.

Are you having a Job experience? If you are, truly, "The Hope Psalms" would surely be a helpful antidote." I "hope" you didn't miss the Biblical principles of Hope from obsessing over how one "can maintain a pessimistic attitude."

The essence of Biblical Hope in the "Hope Psalms" are:

• 1. An expectation certain of fulfillment (e.g. The return of Christ; end of Satan, sin and the effects thereof; the resurrection of the righteous dead; the earth made new, etc.).

• 2. This certainty is based on either God’s word (his promises) or his unchanging character (e.g., steadfast love, faithfulness). These two things are sure!

So, "Step into the sunshine, get out of the shade. This is the one time, that you've got it made...and find the great good news." -- Song by Evie Karlsson 1978.

Read the "Hope Psalms" and "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full into His wonderful face..." CM

GaoLu

You seem to be doing much better!

C Mc

GaoLu,
This thread and post are not so much about me, then, it is about the Word and Jesus. If you would apply the above suggestions, it could be your personal experience. It would free you (or another) of all fear, envy, and sadness.

Hey, this is the "Holy Week: Hope Psalms" thread, tarry here, a while if the other threads frighten or upset you. No American politics, enjoy the Word!

Oh, feel free to share the beauty, truth, and power of the Hope Psalms. Once again, "Step into the sunshine, get out of the shade. This is the one time, that you've got it made...and find the great good news." -- Song by Evie Karlsson 1978. CM

PS. If a PM is necessary, it would remain as such. I, too, care. Please, don't let one issue, color all of your CD experiences. Lighten up, give yourself a big CM

GaoLu

C Mc

When You're Smiling - Louis Armstrong - Lyrics

Oh when you smiling, when you smiling
The whole world smiles with you
Yes when you laughing, when you laughing
Yes the sun come shining through.

But when you crying you bring on the rain
So stop your sighing baby and be happy again
Yes and keep on smiling, keep on smiling

And the whole world smiles with you.

Songwriters
Larry Shay;Mark Fisher;Joe Goodwin.