Proverbs 11:23-27, A Chiasm about Generosity

September 30, 2024Posted inChiasms, Proverbs
A 23. The desire of righteous ones (is) only good,B And the expectation of wicked ones (is) wrath.C 24. There is one who disperses and still increases,D And one who withholds more than is upright, surely to poverty.C 25. A soul of blessing will be made fat,C’ And one who gives drink, he also will…

The Structure of Psalm 18

September 24, 2024Posted inPsalms Commentary
This psalm is a close copy of the song of David found in 2 Samuel 22. It's clear from both 2 Samuel and from the title of the psalm that David wrote it near the end of his life. He had defeated his enemies, consolidated his kingdom after the long and bitter struggle with Saul,…

The Unique Features of Psalm 145

September 21, 2024Posted inPsalm Translations, Psalms Commentary
A Praise of David1. I will exalt you, My God the king, And I will praise your name to forever and perpetuity.2. Every day I will bless you, And I will praise your name to forever and perpetuity,3. Great (is) Yahweh and much praised, And his greatness is not searchable.4. Generation to generation will laud…

Psalm 138: Confessing the Lord’s Name before Kings

September 9, 2024Posted inPsalm Translations
This psalm has three clearly marked stanzas. In the first three verses (8 lines) David speaks in the first person singular. In vv. 4–6 (7 lines) he speaks in the third person, about the kings of the earth. In the last two verses (7-8, 7 lines) he speaks again in the first person singular. The…

Proverbs 30 – A Chiasm?

September 5, 2024Posted inProverbs
The title ends with a question mark because there are some parts of the "chiasm" that do not seem to have much in common. But other features point to the familiar symmetrical pairing of passages around a central point. I've shown the structure of the chiasm below, but some comments are in order. The number…