Here, we continue looking at the book of Psalms, at some verses that many Christians appear to be quite unaware of. How many times have you been in a conversation with a fundamentalist, and heard the comment “God never promised a perfect life!”?
One of the interesting things I’ve learned so far in studying this book is that the original use for the Psalms was in regular Jewish religious practices. These included the blessing of warriors by the priests as they were about to head off to battle. It certainly seems that these passages could fit into that sort of use.Ps 34:9,10 - O fear the LORD, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no want. The young lion suffers want and hunger, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
Ps 84:11 - For the LORD God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly.
Ps 91:9,10 - Because you have made the LORD your refuge, the Most High your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, no scourge come near your tent.
Ps 121:5-8 - The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade at your right hand. The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time and forevermore.
But what are Christians, many of whom veiw life as a spiritual war, supposed to make of these passages? Viewing these words as “The Word of God” would, I think, constitute a valid “promise of a perfect life.”
Comments?
