Historical Psalms

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Historical Psalms
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Traditions
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(No Transcript)
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Plague Lists
Psalm 78 Rivers to Blood . Swarms of Flies Frogs Caterpillars /Cockroaches Locusts Hail (vines) Frost/Flood Hail (cattle) . Thunderbolts /plagues Firstborn . Exodus 7-12 Nile to Blood . Frogs . Gnats Swarms of Flies Cattle plague Boils Hail . Locusts Darkness Firstborn . Psalm 105 Darkness Waters to Blood . Frogs . Swarms of Flies Gnats Hail . Locusts Firstborn .
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Synopsis of Historical Psalms

• Psalm 78
• 10-8th century
• "From Zoan to Zion" (Kidner, 1975, 280)
• Orientation

Psalm 106 6th centuryExile Israel got what
they deserved Disorientation
Psalm 105 6-5th century (exile or early
post-exile) God's promise of the land is
sure New Orientation
Psalm 136 post-exile Celebrate God's chesed
in creation and covenant All three? in liturgy?
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Psalm 136

• 1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
• His steadfast love endures forever.
• 2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
• 3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords
• 4 to him who alone does great wonders,
• 5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
• 6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
• 7 who made the great lights--
• 8 the sun to govern the day,
• 9 the moon and stars to govern the night

Call to Praise

• Reasons for praise

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Psalm 136

• 10 to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt
• 11 and brought Israel out from among them
• 12 with a mighty hand and outstretched arm
• 13 to him who divided the Red Sea asunder
• 14 and brought Israel through the midst of it,
• 15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red
  Sea
• 16 to him who led his people through the desert,
• 17 who struck down great kings,
• 18 and killed mighty kings--
• 19 Sihon king of the Amorites
• 20 and Og king of Bashan--
• 21 and gave their land as an inheritance,
• 22 an inheritance to his servant Israel

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Psalm 136

• 23 to the One who remembered us in our low estate
• 24 and freed us from our enemies,
• 25 and who gives food to every creature.
• 26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.

Concluding Call to Praise