Wednesday Bible Study: Science

 Note: I am aware that the charter of Hamas can be construed as racist. I do not defend Hamas. That is beside the point of my recent post.

 

Psalm 19 is interesting for at least two reasons. Verses 5 and 6 were cited by the court in the trial of Galileo, for his heresy of claiming that the earth rotates, and revolves around the sun. The last verse, omitting the words "my rock and my redeemer," are recited by the priest from the Book of Common Prayer in the Episcopal church. It may be used in other denominations as well, but that's the one I'm familiar with.

 

Psalm 20 is a prayer for victory in war, about which little more need be said. For those of you who believe the Bible calls for the sanctity of human life, nope, Psalm 21, among innumerable Biblical passages, calls for the murder of children.

 ⁸ Your hand will find out all your enemies;
    your right hand will find out those who hate you.
⁹ You will make them as a blazing oven
    when you appear.
The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath;
    and fire will consume them.
¹⁰ You will destroy their offspring from the earth,
    and their children from among the sons of men.

 

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

19 The heavens are telling the glory of God;
    and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
² Day to day pours forth speech,
    and night to night declares knowledge.
³ There is no speech, nor are there words;
    their voice is not heard;
⁴ yet their voice^[a] goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.

In them he has set a tent for the sun,
⁵ which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
⁶ Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them;
    and there is nothing hid from its heat.

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
⁸ the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
⁹ the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring for ever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.

¹¹ Moreover by them is thy servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.
¹² But who can discern his errors?
    Clear thou me from hidden faults.
¹³ Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins;
    let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in thy sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Footnotes

1. Psalm 19:4 Gk Jerome Compare Syr: Heb line

 

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

20 The Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
    The name of the God of Jacob protect you!
² May he send you help from the sanctuary,
    and give you support from Zion!
³ May he remember all your offerings,
    and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!Selah

⁴ May he grant you your heart’s desire,
    and fulfil all your plans!
⁵ May we shout for joy over your victory,
    and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfil all your petitions!

⁶ Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed;
    he will answer him from his holy heaven
    with mighty victories by his right hand.
⁷ Some boast of chariots, and some of horses;
    but we boast of the name of the Lord our God.
⁸ They will collapse and fall;
    but we shall rise and stand upright.

⁹ Give victory to the king, O Lord;
    answer us when we call.^[a]

Footnotes

1. Psalm 20:9 Gk: Heb give victory, O Lord, let the King answer us when we call

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

21 In thy strength the king rejoices, O Lord;
    and in thy help how greatly he exults!
² Thou hast given him his heart’s desire,
    and hast not withheld the request of his lips.Selah
³ For thou dost meet him with goodly blessings;
    thou dost set a crown of fine gold upon his head.
⁴ He asked life of thee; thou gavest it to him,
    length of days for ever and ever.
⁵ His glory is great through thy help;
    splendor and majesty thou dost bestow upon him.
⁶ Yea, thou dost make him most blessed for ever;
    thou dost make him glad with the joy of thy presence.
⁷ For the king trusts in the Lord;
    and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

⁸ Your hand will find out all your enemies;
    your right hand will find out those who hate you.
⁹ You will make them as a blazing oven
    when you appear.
The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath;
    and fire will consume them.
¹⁰ You will destroy their offspring from the earth,
    and their children from among the sons of men.
¹¹ If they plan evil against you,
    if they devise mischief, they will not succeed.
¹² For you will put them to flight;
    you will aim at their faces with your bows.

¹³ Be exalted, O Lord, in thy strength!
    We will sing and praise thy power.