Psalms 73-79
Chapter 73
Psalm 73 is the beginning of Book Three. It includes Psalms 73-89. Psalms of Asaph.
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This book of Obadiah is inserted after 2Chron23, which is after a quick succession of Kings (and a Queen) in Judah. Jehoshaphat, a very good King dies, and his son Jehoram goes far the other way, and is followed by Ahaziah who is at least as bad, and then Ahaziah's Mother takes over when Ahaziah dies. Jehoiada the priest steps up and declares Joash King in Chapter 23. Joash, with Jehoiada, returns the people to God and destroys Baal worship in Jerusalem. Ahab has just died in Israel, and his son Ahaziah becomes King, but only for two years. This is in the last chapter of 1Kings(22). So both Israel and Judah had Kings named Ahaziah, and at about the same time. In my chronological reading, Obadiah comes right in here. My guess is that it is right about in here that one of the Kings of Judah or Israel is going to wipe out Edom.
(10/6/23 - I am reading in Psalms and got to 82. The Chronological Bible puts 82,83 right after Obadiah. I found some information online that says Obadiah could have been writing about 900 BC - which is where the Chronological Bible places it - or nearer 586 BC. The thing is, I have all these Psalms of Asaph written about a horrible time in the history of Israel...but they don't ALL fit into 586 BC...in my opinion. I had not considered this time in about 900 BC though, and the little one paragraph summary above, as a candidate time for the Psalms of Asaph. Perhaps it works much better than anything else I've found, and I need to do some review with that in mind. Copying both of these paragraphs to the beginning of Book 3, and the Psalms of Asaph.)
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Asaph is bitter at the rich and successful who ignore God. He seeks to understand why God allows them such while he has so little. He seems to conclude that heaven is/will be better than earth. It is not about this life anyway.
This psalm describes the rich and affluent in fairly uncomplimentary terms, yet with a strong sense of injustice that they have plenty, do what they want, die in peace, and yet they are unrighteous. The psalm is about the attitude of the writer towards these people and this situation. His railing against the rich and powerful begins in this verse:
3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. [Psa 73:3 ESV]
Another descriptive verse:
8 They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression. [Psa 73:3 ESV]
Here is the way the writer contrasts himself with these he is envious of:
12 Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. 13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. [Psa 73:12-13 ESV].
Very reminiscent of Job. Asaph thinks he's done everything right, but it is those who've done everything wrong that seem to be rewarded.
He says it is wearisome to try and figure out how God can let things go on this way. He wore himself out trying to make sense of it. And then this:
16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, 17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. [Psa 73:16-17 ESV]
2021 - These verses, from Asaph in Book 2:
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. [Psa 73:25-26 ESV]
If we are jealous of the success of evil people, this verse is the key. If we desire the material things the evil accumulate, then we will always be jealous of them. But if serving, worshiping and praising God is our only desire - as it should be - then we are striving toward that, and not toward the power and wealth the wicked are accumulating. It is all about what we desire. This is also the key to not being upset when the bad guys win. They win only earthly, material things. They win nothing that is eternal. Here is corroboration: 11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? [Psa 56:11 ESV]
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? [Psa 118:6 ESV]
Possible FB post.
27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. [Psa 73:27 ESV]
It is not about this world. The saved never perish, but have everlasting life.
2022 - ALSO, it is the successful wicked that we always see these things written about. Job did the same thing - he pointed out that he knew some very wicked people who were just fine. And that is true. But how many wicked people sleep out in the rain, freezing, and have nothing at all that we do not see, because we don't run in those circles. This whole idea of how well "the evil" are doing is statistically invalid. It is whiny and petty and jealous. Prisons don't have many Godly men in them. Prisons are full of evil people, and we never count them.
Find a verse in Psa 73 and this is a very good FB post. Include the summary in vs 28 also.
2023 - See the 2023 notes at the bottom of Psalm 75...This Psalm is the first of eleven in a row attributed to Asaph. 74 and 75 are difficult to interpret, because they seem to be prophecies of the far future - as in Revelation far. I speculate, and there is some corroboration from MSB, that there may be two Asaph's...the one that wrote Psalm 50, and the Asaph who wrote all these in Book 3. If we go this way, then we would look at Psalm 73 differently. Perhaps it is the "confession" of a prophet as to his moment of conversion, from a bitter, gripey, whining man jealous of the "evil rich" to a man who recognizes that true riches come from God and are eternal. And then we see the prophecies granted him after that conversion. I am speculating...I haven't read that this is so...but I will keep it in mind now as I read the rest of Asaph's Psalms in Book 3.
Psalms 73-79
Chapter 73
Psalm 73 is the beginning of Book Three. It includes Psalms 73-89. Psalms of Asaph.
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This book of Obadiah is inserted after 2Chron23, which is after a quick succession of Kings (and a Queen) in Judah. Jehoshaphat, a very good King dies, and his son Jehoram goes far the other way, and is followed by Ahaziah who is at least as bad, and then Ahaziah's Mother takes over when Ahaziah dies. Jehoiada the priest steps up and declares Joash King in Chapter 23. Joash, with Jehoiada, returns the people to God and destroys Baal worship in Jerusalem. Ahab has just died in Israel, and his son Ahaziah becomes King, but only for two years. This is in the last chapter of 1Kings(22). So both Israel and Judah had Kings named Ahaziah, and at about the same time. In my chronological reading, Obadiah comes right in here. My guess is that it is right about in here that one of the Kings of Judah or Israel is going to wipe out Edom.
(10/6/23 - I am reading in Psalms and got to 82. The Chronological Bible puts 82,83 right after Obadiah. I found some information online that says Obadiah could have been writing about 900 BC - which is where the Chronological Bible places it - or nearer 586 BC. The thing is, I have all these Psalms of Asaph written about a horrible time in the history of Israel...but they don't ALL fit into 586 BC...in my opinion. I had not considered this time in about 900 BC though, and the little one paragraph summary above, as a candidate time for the Psalms of Asaph. Perhaps it works much better than anything else I've found, and I need to do some review with that in mind. Copying both of these paragraphs to the beginning of Book 3, and the Psalms of Asaph.)
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Asaph is bitter at the rich and successful who ignore God. He seeks to understand why God allows them such while he has so little. He seems to conclude that heaven is/will be better than earth. It is not about this life anyway.
This psalm describes the rich and affluent in fairly uncomplimentary terms, yet with a strong sense of injustice that they have plenty, do what they want, die in peace, and yet they are unrighteous. The psalm is about the attitude of the writer towards these people and this situation. His railing against the rich and powerful begins in this verse:
3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. [Psa 73:3 ESV]
Another descriptive verse:
8 They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression. [Psa 73:3 ESV]
Here is the way the writer contrasts himself with these he is envious of:
12 Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. 13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. [Psa 73:12-13 ESV].
Very reminiscent of Job. Asaph thinks he's done everything right, but it is those who've done everything wrong that seem to be rewarded.
He says it is wearisome to try and figure out how God can let things go on this way. He wore himself out trying to make sense of it. And then this:
16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, 17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. [Psa 73:16-17 ESV]
2021 - These verses, from Asaph in Book 2:
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. [Psa 73:25-26 ESV]
If we are jealous of the success of evil people, this verse is the key. If we desire the material things the evil accumulate, then we will always be jealous of them. But if serving, worshiping and praising God is our only desire - as it should be - then we are striving toward that, and not toward the power and wealth the wicked are accumulating. It is all about what we desire. This is also the key to not being upset when the bad guys win. They win only earthly, material things. They win nothing that is eternal. Here is corroboration: 11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? [Psa 56:11 ESV]
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? [Psa 118:6 ESV]
Possible FB post.
27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. [Psa 73:27 ESV]
It is not about this world. The saved never perish, but have everlasting life.
2022 - ALSO, it is the successful wicked that we always see these things written about. Job did the same thing - he pointed out that he knew some very wicked people who were just fine. And that is true. But how many wicked people sleep out in the rain, freezing, and have nothing at all that we do not see, because we don't run in those circles. This whole idea of how well "the evil" are doing is statistically invalid. It is whiny and petty and jealous. Prisons don't have many Godly men in them. Prisons are full of evil people, and we never count them.
Find a verse in Psa 73 and this is a very good FB post. Include the summary in vs 28 also.
2023 - See the 2023 notes at the bottom of Psalm 75...This Psalm is the first of eleven in a row attributed to Asaph. 74 and 75 are difficult to interpret, because they seem to be prophecies of the far future - as in Revelation far. I speculate, and there is some corroboration from MSB, that there may be two Asaph's...the one that wrote Psalm 50, and the Asaph who wrote all these in Book 3. If we go this way, then we would look at Psalm 73 differently. Perhaps it is the "confession" of a prophet as to his moment of conversion, from a bitter, gripey, whining man jealous of the "evil rich" to a man who recognizes that true riches come from God and are eternal. And then we see the prophecies granted him after that conversion. I am speculating...I haven't read that this is so...but I will keep it in mind now as I read the rest of Asaph's Psalms in Book 3.
Chapter 74
Psalm 74...Asaph
Attributed to Asaph, who lived a very long time before the destruction of Jerusalem...I think. So this would have been a prophetic psalm by one we don't often consider to be a prophet. MSB agrees...if this is about the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, and is indeed written by Asaph, it is a different Asaph. MSB does NOT make Asaph of old a prophet in addition to being a priest. But...that sure seems a better explanation than two different Asaphs writing psalms...
2022 - Here's the thing. The Temple was "invaded" by foreigners many times, not always as part of the total destruction of Israel. Gold was taken as tribute by foreign Kings on more than one occasion. If I knew the history better, I would be able to point to the "first" invasion of Israel that resulted in stolen temple items. Asaph was after David, I believe, and possibly after Solomon. There was no invasion during Solomon's time, but the kingdom split right after that, making it a ripe target for invasion. This could be about that period of time.
Seems to be a recounting of the destruction of Judah, with details of the Temple's destruction. And the repeated asking of God "Why?" Says the Temple was brought to the ground. Fir. Wood chopped to pieces. Total destruction. No prophets in the aftermath to tell them how long. This verse:
9 We do not see our signs; there is no longer any prophet, and there is none among us who knows how long. [Psa 74:9 ESV]
But there was a prophet. A pretty well known prophet still lived and prophesied after the fall of Jerusalem. His name was Jeremiah. And Jeremiah had also told them exactly how long they were to remain captive in Babylon, and that they would definitely return. So how can this psalm be about 586 BC? It seems much more about 70 AD. So...what is this psalm about and when was it really written. After 70 AD, there was no prophet...except those gifted with prophecy which in 70 AD was a different kind of thing. Maybe this was written by the original Asaph - or recorded by him from someone else, and is in fact prophetic in and of itself.
2021 - Sure seems like a prophecy of the Temple destruction in 70 AD. Here: 4 Your foes have roared in the midst of your meeting place; they set up their own signs for signs. [Psa 74:4 ESV]. Romans in the Temple, setting up Roman gods, sacrificing pigs. Also this verse: 7 They set your sanctuary on fire; they profaned the dwelling place of your name, bringing it down to the ground. [Psa 74:7 ESV]. The Romans burned it all when they finally overcame. Babylon didn't burn the temple. They looted it, but it wasn't burned was it? Or maybe it was. It did have to be rebuilt under Ezra and Nehemiah. But this thing about no prophets in the land...that just was not true of 586 BC. There were constantly prophets, though many were false.
vss 13-17, Creation. God's power, his authority by right of creation. As a potter the vessels he makes.
2021 - This interesting verse:
14 You crushed the heads of Leviathan; you gave him as food for the creatures of the wilderness. [Psa 74:14 ESV]. "Heads" is plural in all translations I checked. An animal with many heads? Or many dead Leviathans?
2023 - Looked at BLB a little for some of these answers. I find Hebrew a lot more difficult than Greek, but it seems to me that heads is plural, and Leviathan is used to describe a class of creatures, all of the same time. It is singular, in that we are only talking about Leviathan's but this particular usage does not imply that Leviathan had many heads. The heads of many of these Leviathans were crushed. Look at the last phrase though...Leviathan's are sea creatures. How did they get into the wilderness to serve as food? What is that about? And look back one verse: 13 You divided the sea by your might; you broke the heads of the sea monsters on the waters. [Psa 74:13 ESV]. The word for sea monsters if a completely different word than Leviathan. But again, this is about sea creatures. No mention of land creatures. The land equivalent of Leviathan is Behemoth. I always thought Behemoth was a dinosaur. What I am thinking here is that during the flood, giant creatures were all wiped out. Land animals drowned, and the climate of the earth was so different afterward that the dinosaurs - the large ones - no longer grew so large and perhaps went extinct because of the new climate. But giant sea creatures wiped out? Why would that be? Fresh and salt water combined and they couldn't tolerate the mix because of their mass? Their bodies left to rot in dry places as the water receded...but that wouldn't make sense. They'd be rotted before carnivores from the ark got to them?
2023 - Perhaps this is a prophecy of a time yet to come? Maybe it's not 586 BC OR 70 AD. Will Ezekiel's Temple fall? Does it mean that the rebuilt Temple in the future will be taken over by the MoL, and he will set himself up to be worshiped there? It could mean that. That works. When the 2nd Trumpet sounds a third of the sea creatures die...but it doesn't say they become food in the wilderness. BUT, there could be a big tidal wave from the mountain that hits the waters, and that could carry a lot of large sea creatures very far inland. There is a LOT of unsupported speculation in this "interpretation" of the verses. I wouldn't hang my hat on any of it, but the problem is that there doesn't seem to be any compelling interpretation. This one seems pretty wide open.
2023 - Note where this Psalm shows up in the Chronological Bible. They put it back in Jeremiah, near 586 BC. And it may well belong there. but if so, we don't know much about when the demise of these sea creatures takes place, because it certainly was not in Jeremiah's time.
vs 20, An appeal to God to remember the covenant, to remember His people.
Chapter 75
Asaph.
2021 - Here is another Psalm labeled "Do Not Destroy". Such a strange thing.
1st, Thanksgiving.
2nd, ?
3rd, God will cut off the wicked, and lift up Jacob.
This is about God's judgement, as was 50. These verses:
8 For in the hand of the LORD [there is] a cup, And the wine is red; It is fully mixed, and He pours it out; Surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth Drain [and] drink down. [Psa 75:8 NKJV]
This picture of the wine of the wrath of God. Revelation may well be referring back to this verse in Psalms.
2023 - This wine is fully mixed, the wine in Revelation is full strength. Still...an interesting comparison.
2021 - These two verses from Revelation:
10 he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. [Rev 14:10 ESV]
19 The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. [Rev 16:19 ESV]
Ultimate judgement comes from God and from no other. His is final judgement. The last verse of the Psalm tells us the basis for that judgement:
10 "All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, [But] the horns of the righteous shall be exalted." [Psa 75:10 NKJV]
If you want God to judge you favorably, be righteous. That is all. We need only do as God would have us do.
2023 - The picture is certainly that poured out wine represents the judgment of God. I do not know why that would be the picture, though, and certainly why it would still be the picture in NT times...unless it is simply a reference back to this Psalm. The dregs indicate that the cup is going to be drained completely when it is poured out. There won't be any leaving of the solids in the bottom. Even the "worst" of the wine is going to be poured out. The really bad part.
2023 - This is also Asaph, talking about a time - or at least hinting that he is talking about a time - that is well in the future. Are all the Psalms of Asaph by the same guy? I need to do a study - or least put together a list, of all the Psalms of Asaph. There are 12 of them. Starting with 50, then 73-83. So all of Asaph's Psalms, except 50, are sequential. This could mean that Psa 50 was by a different person, and the 11 in Book 3 are from a different person, a prophet. Book 3 begins with Psalm 73 and goes through 89. So 17 Psalms in the book, of which 11 are attributed to this Asaph. Yeah...there's a lot of possibility here. I will start paying more attention to interpreting ALL these Asaph Psalms as prophecy of the far future, and see how many hint at that.
Chapter 76
This Psalm could have been written about Sennacherib's army. It says that God defeats His enemies, the enemies of His people. God is to be feared by all, no one can stand before Him.
2023 - These verses:
3 There he broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah ...
6 At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both rider and horse lay stunned.
7 But you, you are to be feared! Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused? [Psa 76:3, 6-7 ESV]
These speak of physical battle. Arrows released and blocked. Of massive armies laid waste. Now compare the verses below:
2023 - So continuing to explore the idea that this Asaph is a prophet and is talking here not about 586 BC, or any time before that, but about end times, could we see this Psalm as prophetic of the pre-Millennial battle in Revelation 19:
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. ...
14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.
15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. [Rev 19:11, 14-15 ESV]
And there are more here also that speak of the "extremities" of this battle.
2023 - Or is Asaph talking about this one at the end of the Millennial?:
7 And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison ...
9 And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, [Rev 20:7, 9 ESV]
This one ties better to Psalm 76:2 as the setting for the rest of that Psalm:
2 His abode has been established in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion. [Psa 76:2 ESV]
First time, 9/20/18
God Himself defeats Sennacherib, killing 185,000 men in one night and without a sound. Those who survived woke up to find the others dead.
Hezekiah gets an extra 15 years, then shows off his treasures to Babylonian emissaries. For that, God says Jerusalem will fall. But not until after Hezekiah dies.
God can answer any prayer, show any favor, but He still expects common sense and continued obedience. He doesn't give anyone a get out of jail free card!
Chapter 77
2023 - In the first verses, especially 4-9, Asaph describes the times in which he lives. A time when it seems that God has just quit and entirely abandoned his people. God seems to be so far away that he may never return - as if he has gone forever. This verse:
7 "Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? [Psa 77:7 ESV]. So far, there is nothing that I would label prophecy, but a time this bad, in Israel...when could that be?
Asaph feels abandoned by God, as if God is gone and never coming back.
2021 - When did Asaph write these Psalms? This is two now - the other about destruction of the temple - where things all around him seemed to be going terribly. This does not sound at all like Solomon's time. Could it have been when David fled the city from Absalom? It doesn't really read that way. It reads like the time before the north fell, or the time before Babylon. It doesn't really read like the time before 70 AD. We just really don't know "when" or "which" Asaph this is about.
So he meditates instead on what God has done in the past. God's miracles for his people, and his way with them.
2023 - Instead of looking at now, which is dismal, Asaph reminds himself of the greatness of God. He talks about thunder and lightning as being "signs" of God. Then we get this verse:
19 Your way was through the sea, your path through the great waters; yet your footprints were unseen. [Psa 77:19 ESV]. Now the obvious reference is the crossing of the Red Sea. God opened the way but he did not "walk" before them. Even so, looking at the next verse, God "led your people like a flock" - which I suspect is done from the front. He references Aaron and Moses also, which again points to the Red Sea crossing. Even so, this, coupled with the references to sea monsters and to Leviathan, has to make you wonder a bit.
2023 - So this one does not seem to be about prophecy at all, but about remembering God's greatness - keeping faith strong - even when He seems far away.
Possible FB post with Psa 77:9-11 or 12. When he is not in the present, and you doubt the future, look to the past and remember what God has done. Remind yourself of past blessings.
Chapter 78
2023 - A very long Psalm.
Asaph encourages the people to remember the things their fathers taught them about God, to teach these things to their own children, in the hope that the children won't be as stubborn and rebellious as the fathers.
He talks specifically about a failure of the Ephraimites. How they turned back, despite all they had seen God do in the desert.
God works miracle after miracle - manna and quail - yet still they do not really believe.
2022 - These verses:
35 They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer. 36 But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues. 37 Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant. 38 Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath. [Psa 78:35-38 ESV]. When enough bad things happened to Israel in the desert, they figured out that God was in charge, and that all good things came from him. Even so, they tried to deceive him and convince him that they had repented and would become good little Israelites. They said their prayers, they went to church, they sang the songs. What they did not do was submit to God. What Israel wanted was to renegotiate the Covenant of Moses. They were offering to keep all the rote and ritual the Law required if God would just leave them alone to do their own thing when church was over. And for their trouble, they wanted all the same blessings of God , without submission to God. God knew the truth, and God is not about compromise, nor about renegotiating covenants after the fact. He saw through their deceit and their lies, yet he kept his hand extended so that they might take it at any time. Imagine the patience required to forgive such arrogance! The lesson for us is that God has not changed. He still does not compromise, He still requires submission to ALL of his commands. We don't get to question His ways any more than Israel did. We should never believe that our hearts are hidden from God, nor believe that anything less than faith in His Son will be accepted at the gate into heaven. We have to stop lying to God, and stop lying to ourselves about how smart we are!
Possible FB post.
38 Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath. 39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again. [Psa 78:38-39 ESV]
Possible FB post.
It's a good thing too, else there'd be no hope for any of us.
The plagues on Egypt are recounted.
This reads as if God's original dwelling place in Canaan was in Shiloh, where the tent of meeting was set up. That would have been in Ephraim. But because those people were so rebellious, God lets them be taken in captivity, and moves his dwelling to Judah, to Mount Zion. David is instrumental in this. I haven't read this part of the narrative yet, but I will be looking for it.
Chapter 79
Asaph
Starts much the same. Here is the first verse:
1 A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the nations have come into your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple; they have laid Jerusalem in ruins. [Psa 79:1 ESV]
This has only happened twice, and both were well after the original Asaph was dead. This Psalm is about 586 BC, 70 AD, or both, and was written before either had occurred...or by a different guy named Asaph.
2022 - Or is about some other invasion...but this says Jerusalem in ruins. Can that really be any time other than 586 BC or 70 AD?
Think about this verse:
2 They have given the bodies of your servants to the birds of the heavens for food, the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth. [Psa 79:2 ESV]
I know there were prophecies of bodies eaten by birds and beasts both in Isaiah and Jeremiah that referred to the destruction in 586 BC. However...where did these "faithful" come from? I have a hard time making a case that there were "10 good men" in the Jerusalem of 586 BC. But I can make that case in 70 AD. I can make the case for hyper-faithful by then. The Hassidic Jews were present in 70 AD, and there would have been believers in Christ in the city when it fell in 70 AD. Putting 74 and 79 together - both by Asaph, both about "a" fall of Jerusalem, I find more evidence for them being about 70 AD than 586 BC. I would be 100% sure of it if I find a reference to double punishment anywhere later in this chapter...
Bodies as food for the birds laying around Jerusalem. vs 5, How long?
Remember us for we have been brought very low. This verse to end it:
13 But we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will give thanks to you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise. [Psa 79:13 ESV]
A very good verse.
2023 - I just cannot nail down the time that these things were, or will be, true. It says "the nations", not a pagan nation, not a world dominating power....Nations plural. That wouldn't really apply to either fall. Babylon burned to temple, Antiochus Epiphanes defiled the temple, and the Romans burned the Temple. In 70 AD, I don't think the temple was desecrated. I don't think they sacrificed any pigs in 70 AD. I really don't remember any pig sacrifices in 586 BC. Antiochus most definitely DID do that. And he is the one who set up the abomination of desolation isn't he? Antiochus was future for any Asaph who was writing Psalms, which would make this a prophecy, and if it is about AE, then that is the near and end times is the far. Will the MoL take Jerusalem by force after they rebuild the Temple, and then build one himself to Ezekiel's specifications? That's the thing. If we make Asaph in these Book 3 Psalms into an end times prophet, then we may be able to pull additional end times specifics out of what he writes. But we don't know who he is. MSB puts this as a lament about 586 BC, and generalizes nations to be pagans, heathens, and so in in a general way, not literally "more than one nation". But Neb came three different times. Wasn't the first one a siege? I suppose they could have taken people outside the walls, killed them, and left them for the birds and the beasts while they went back inside and killed still more. That could fit. In 70 AD they killed anyone who came outside and gutted them to check for jewels and money, then likely left them for the birds and the beasts. Here is the closest I can get in Revelation: 9 And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, [Rev 20:9 ESV]. So this one does not turn out well for the attackers. I think we can eliminate this from any consideration as the time of this prophecy. In fact, the more I look at Revelation, the less it seems to be at all in view of Psalm 79. I also note that in the chronological Bible, Psalms 79 comes after these chapters in Jeremiah about the fall of Jerusalem.
Psalms 73-79
Chapter 73
Psalm 73 is the beginning of Book Three. It includes Psalms 73-89. Psalms of Asaph.
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This book of Obadiah is inserted after 2Chron23, which is after a quick succession of Kings (and a Queen) in Judah. Jehoshaphat, a very good King dies, and his son Jehoram goes far the other way, and is followed by Ahaziah who is at least as bad, and then Ahaziah's Mother takes over when Ahaziah dies. Jehoiada the priest steps up and declares Joash King in Chapter 23. Joash, with Jehoiada, returns the people to God and destroys Baal worship in Jerusalem. Ahab has just died in Israel, and his son Ahaziah becomes King, but only for two years. This is in the last chapter of 1Kings(22). So both Israel and Judah had Kings named Ahaziah, and at about the same time. In my chronological reading, Obadiah comes right in here. My guess is that it is right about in here that one of the Kings of Judah or Israel is going to wipe out Edom.
(10/6/23 - I am reading in Psalms and got to 82. The Chronological Bible puts 82,83 right after Obadiah. I found some information online that says Obadiah could have been writing about 900 BC - which is where the Chronological Bible places it - or nearer 586 BC. The thing is, I have all these Psalms of Asaph written about a horrible time in the history of Israel...but they don't ALL fit into 586 BC...in my opinion. I had not considered this time in about 900 BC though, and the little one paragraph summary above, as a candidate time for the Psalms of Asaph. Perhaps it works much better than anything else I've found, and I need to do some review with that in mind. Copying both of these paragraphs to the beginning of Book 3, and the Psalms of Asaph.)
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Asaph is bitter at the rich and successful who ignore God. He seeks to understand why God allows them such while he has so little. He seems to conclude that heaven is/will be better than earth. It is not about this life anyway.
This psalm describes the rich and affluent in fairly uncomplimentary terms, yet with a strong sense of injustice that they have plenty, do what they want, die in peace, and yet they are unrighteous. The psalm is about the attitude of the writer towards these people and this situation. His railing against the rich and powerful begins in this verse:
3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. [Psa 73:3 ESV]
Another descriptive verse:
8 They scoff and speak with malice; loftily they threaten oppression. [Psa 73:3 ESV]
Here is the way the writer contrasts himself with these he is envious of:
12 Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. 13 All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. [Psa 73:12-13 ESV].
Very reminiscent of Job. Asaph thinks he's done everything right, but it is those who've done everything wrong that seem to be rewarded.
He says it is wearisome to try and figure out how God can let things go on this way. He wore himself out trying to make sense of it. And then this:
16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, 17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end. [Psa 73:16-17 ESV]
2021 - These verses, from Asaph in Book 2:
25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. 26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. [Psa 73:25-26 ESV]
If we are jealous of the success of evil people, this verse is the key. If we desire the material things the evil accumulate, then we will always be jealous of them. But if serving, worshiping and praising God is our only desire - as it should be - then we are striving toward that, and not toward the power and wealth the wicked are accumulating. It is all about what we desire. This is also the key to not being upset when the bad guys win. They win only earthly, material things. They win nothing that is eternal. Here is corroboration: 11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? [Psa 56:11 ESV]
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? [Psa 118:6 ESV]
Possible FB post.
27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you. [Psa 73:27 ESV]
It is not about this world. The saved never perish, but have everlasting life.
2022 - ALSO, it is the successful wicked that we always see these things written about. Job did the same thing - he pointed out that he knew some very wicked people who were just fine. And that is true. But how many wicked people sleep out in the rain, freezing, and have nothing at all that we do not see, because we don't run in those circles. This whole idea of how well "the evil" are doing is statistically invalid. It is whiny and petty and jealous. Prisons don't have many Godly men in them. Prisons are full of evil people, and we never count them.
Find a verse in Psa 73 and this is a very good FB post. Include the summary in vs 28 also.
2023 - See the 2023 notes at the bottom of Psalm 75...This Psalm is the first of eleven in a row attributed to Asaph. 74 and 75 are difficult to interpret, because they seem to be prophecies of the far future - as in Revelation far. I speculate, and there is some corroboration from MSB, that there may be two Asaph's...the one that wrote Psalm 50, and the Asaph who wrote all these in Book 3. If we go this way, then we would look at Psalm 73 differently. Perhaps it is the "confession" of a prophet as to his moment of conversion, from a bitter, gripey, whining man jealous of the "evil rich" to a man who recognizes that true riches come from God and are eternal. And then we see the prophecies granted him after that conversion. I am speculating...I haven't read that this is so...but I will keep it in mind now as I read the rest of Asaph's Psalms in Book 3.
Psalms 80-84
Chapter 80
Introduced as a testimony of Asaph.
An appeal to The Shepherd of Israel for His help.
I have noticed this kind of prayer several times in Psalms when David is praying. I think this is an acknowledgement to God that the chastisement one is undergoing is first FROM God, and is a JUST chastisement. It is a prayer that the chastisement has accomplished its intended purpose, and a request that it end. Here is the prayer:
4 O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers? 5 You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure. 6 You make us an object of contention for our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves. 7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved! [Psa 80:4-7 ESV] Good one for FB.
2021 - This sounds like 74 and 79. It seems like Jerusalem is in a bad way and Asaph is praying for her restoration. It would seem odd for these to be written about a future time. Who would sing such songs in good times with the bad times far away? But it is also hard to believe these three Psalms - 74, 79, and 80 - were written AFTER 70 AD. Surely that would be easy to establish if it were so.
Israel is likened to a vine, brought from Egypt, and then once the "land" is prepared, sown in Canaan. Since then it spread and produced, but is now being plundered and used by others. The prayer for restoration continues.
2021 - This verse:
Why then have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit? Psalm 80:12 ESV
There aren't many times when Jerusalem was left without walls. This almost has to be about the time after 586 BC. No one was allowed to live in Jerusalem after 70 AD.
In vs 15 and early in 17, the nation of Israel is called "the son whom you made strong" and "the man of your right hand". Then the phrase "son of man" is used in vs. 17. MSB says its immediate context is the nation of Israel - and based on what has been said just before this seems certain. MSB goes on to say that it may also be referring to the Davidic line, and even extend to the Messiah, since that title is used of him so often in the NT.
2022 - later, Note that Cullman, in Christology, points out that it is common in Semitic thinking for a "task" to start with a large group - mankind - and then be focused into a smaller group - Israel - and be refined down to a subset of that - the Davidic line - and finally to a man - Jesus.
These Psalms in the Chronological Bible are placed after Sennacherib's army is wiped out by God's angel and he goes home. It is easy to imagine these psalms being sung by the people as they cowered inside the city, praying and hoping for a miracle. (2021 - But Sennacherib didn't actually kill anyone. No bodies for the birds and beasts. This is not about Sennacherib.) Surely some, at that time, would have recognized that God had sent this very serious, very grave warning to Jerusalem, making clear that this invasion is what they have earned with their sin. They see their isolation during the siege, their fear of the invaders, as punishment enough, and they are praying that God will go no further, they are saying they have learned their lesson and see what "can happen", and are ready to turn back to God. We know that there were either too few of these, or that the repentance was either insincere or at best short-lived. Babylon's time is not far away as this psalm is being sung.
2022 - Vss 14-19, again, as I have seen several times with the Psalms of Asaph, seem to point to, or to long for, the Millennial reign. Look especially at the last two verses: 18 Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name! 19 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved! [Psa 80:18-19 ESV]. Give us life - as in preserve us through Great Trib, and we will be yours in the Millennial. "Restore us" surely goes right along with this verse: 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob"; 27 "and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins." [Rom 11:26-27 ESV]. Hard to believe that both Asaph and Paul were thinking of the same time, of this future "relationship" between God and Israel that is the fulfilment of the New Covenant, including the possession of the land promised to Abraham.
2023 - I can also see this as the kind of prayer you'd pray as you huddled fearfully in your house after the walls had been broken down by the enemy but before they came rushing in. It is one of those "If you will just get me out of this jam, Lord, I will stop drinking forever" kind of prayers. We see this especially in vs 18, in this phrase: "...give us life, and we will call upon your name...". They cannot worship if they are dead.
Chapter 81
Asaph.
A Psalm of praise recalling deliverance from Egypt.
It also laments that Israel did not remain true to God, nor follow his commandments. Therefore, he cannot do for them what He would really like to do. He is a just God, and he cannot reward them except when they keep the covenant they made. These verses sum it up:
11 "But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. [Psa 81:11-12 ESV]
God doesn't always punish us directly for the wrong we do. Sometimes he just steps away, leaves us to our own devices, knowing that the random horrors of this sin-polluted world will eventually be our undoing. That, and trying to make it without God to lean on. All these send us in directions that God would keep us from going. We end up doing ourselves harm when we depend on our own wisdom and understanding apart from God's.
Good FB post.
2023 - Vs 12 reads very much like Romans 1. Asaph seems to be writing from a time when these consequences have occurred, and pretty much everyone recognizes that they brought themselves to this end by disobedience to God. Asaph knows that Israel did it to themselves, and so does Israel. This could very well be about 586 BC, and about those who stayed behind when the captives were removed to Babylon, or even about the repentance IN Babylon of those taken captive. Asaph would not have to have lived through that, which might make these Psalms of his historical, and his own time later than 586 BC. Somehow, I've always thought the Psalms were older, all from David's and Solomon's time, but I think we have a few from Ezra also, which would be after 586 BC. So this starts to fit as history instead of prophecy.
Chapter 82
8 verses, in three divisions. This is labeled a Psalm of Asaph.
First division is an appeal to God for right judgement. It asks for justice to the weak and fatherless, to those unable to help themselves.
2023 - This is more obvious when you look at vs 1: 1 A Psalm of Asaph. God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: [Psa 82:1 ESV].
2022 - This verse though:
2 "How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah [Psa 82:2 ESV]. This seems to be Asaph accusing God of injustice. Whom does he think he is? Surely that cannot be what this means but I can't see any other way to read it. Checked MSB and there IS a right way to read this. This is about God himself metaphorically standing in a sort of assembly of world leaders, and it is God speaking in vs. 2. He is the one asking how long these earthly leaders will be unjust. So in that sense, the gods, with the lower case g, are the men who rule on earth. Kings, nobles, elders and so on. In this sense, we are all gods of our own households. It is in this sense that Jesus quotes this Psalm in Jn 10.34.
Second division, two verses:
6 I said, "You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; 7 nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince." [Psa 82:6-7 ESV]
There is much explanation on this in MSB. Jesus quotes this verse in Jn. 10:34, and says if men can be called gods, then why is it blasphemy for God's incarnate Son to call himself God! Why have I never seen or heard about this verse before? Why no sermon, that I ever remember, on John 10:34!
Last division calls on God to judge the earth.
Not sure how this was determined to chronologically fit right here. I don't see any "hooks" to a particular time in history other than the author's name, and his Psalms have been in here right along.
2023 - Here is the quote from John...It is really longer than this and ought to be read entirely, but this gives the jist of what was going on when Jesus quoted this:
30 I and the Father are one." 31 The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. ...
34 Jesus answered them, "Is it not written in your Law, 'I said, you are gods'? [Jhn 10:30-31, 34 ESV]
2023 - That phrase "sons of the Most High". Sons is "ubne", of the Most High is "elyon". Are these the same words used for "the sons of God looked upon the daughters of men"? No. The words used in Gen 6:4 are ben Elohim. But look at that verse in comparison to this one:
4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown. [Gen 6:4 ESV]. There is nothing in this sentence that "equates" Nephilim with "sons of God". I think the best way to read it is that the Nephilim were the mighty men. ALSO, during that time, kings and rulers were...confiscating let's say...the most desirable women in their kingdoms and producing many offspring - far more than could be expected from a monogamous relationship. With these things in mind...connect Gen 6:4 to Psa 82 to Jn 10, and we see that this was in no way angels breeding with the human women.
Chapter 83
Also a Psalm of Asaph.
First 8 verses a division. This is a call for God's justice against the nations that plot and conspire against Israel. Many conspirators are named, and Edom is among them. So are Philistia and Asshur.
2023 - This verse:
4 They say, "Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!" [Psa 83:4 ESV].
This is another of those verses that show us how very little things have changed on planet earth. Today it is Iran saying this mostly, but Iraq, Lebanon, "Phillistia" still saying it. Back then it was Edom, the Ishmaelites (this is who the Muslims say they come from), Moab, and teh Hagrites, Gebal and Ammon, and Amalek. Tyre, Asshur...Pretty much the same back then as it is now. Israel sits alone in the midst of enemies. She is surrounded by nations that hate her and want her wiped out completely with all her people. The nations now, as then, openly advocate genocide of the Jews.
Possible "short" FB post.
9-12 are the second division. A further appeal, but more specific, calling for God to do as he did to Sisera and Jabin, and so on. References to historic justice carried out by God.
Last division, vss 13-18. Similar to first division. A call for God to overwhelm them, make them ashamed, and also that men may know that the Lord is the Most High over all the earth.
Again, not sure what ties this directly to Obadiah's time. Maybe it's just that the theme's of these three are so similar that they are arranged as concurrent - but may not be at all. I would have thought Asaph was long dead in Obadiah's time.
Chapter 84
(Still a song of Korah, in Book 3.)
2022 - Actually, it is a Psalm of the Sons of Korah. I would expect that Korah's sons are dedicated to service in the temple for their whole lives also, as Korah was. So these first 4 verses might be seen as a prayer of thanks to God for the Temple where they serve. This idea continues in vs 10. I think it is pretty certain that the Sons of Korah are priests, serving in the Temple in Jerusalem.
In praise of the dwelling place of God.
10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. [Psa 84:10 ESV]
A good one to remember!
Chapter 85
Also the Sons of Korah.
2022 - This verse:
4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! [Psa 85:4 ESV]
The Psalm talks about how God previously turned his anger away from the house of Jacob. The implication here is that God has turned away from them again. I haven't seen any clues as to when this Psalm was written. And Son's could be generations after Korah. This could be about Assyria or Babylon or anyone before or after them. All that is certain is that God and Israel are once again at odds, and the Psalmist things it is pretty serious.
2022 - This oft-quoted verse:
6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? [Psa 85:6 ESV]. Doesn't seem to be about "re-invigoration" of lukewarm Christians. It seems to be about a whole nation turned away from God. Like the US seems to be today.
Thanking God for restoring Israel, for turning away his wrath. Asking that He return to them.
Psalms 73-79
Psalms 86-89
Chapter 86
David.
2022 - It is actually introduced as a prayer of David He's written down his prayer. Grandmother Little's Bible had some prayers of hers written down. One was in red ink. She wrote it on one of those blank pages in her Bible that there seem to be so many of for no real reason. Hmm. Maybe we all ought to write down our prayers.
1st, A penitent calling on the God who hears, asking for God's help.
2022 - David is praying for himself. He is asking God to look after him, to examine him and find him worth keeping alive. He is asking God to hear his prayer. Wouldn't a King, who heard petitions all day every day, know how to ask of his own King? Could we have a better example of how to pray than David's own prayers?
2nd, Praise to God for there is none like Him, greatest of all, most powerful of all, most able of all.
3rd, A specific prayer for deliverance from certain enemies. The prayer is that God will show favor to the one praying so that the enemies may see it and know that God has helped him.
This verse:
17 Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me. [Psa 86:17 ESV]
I think we all crave an affirmation like this, something to show that God really is on our side, watching over us, answering our prayers.
2021-The first 13 verses are a great prayer of thanksgiving, one that could be prayed back on any given morning.
Chapter 87
Sons of Korah.
In praise of the city of God, of Zion, Jerusalem. I liked this verse:
6 The LORD records as he registers the peoples, "This one was born there." Selah [Psa 87:6 ESV]
I really want to go to Jerusalem some day...
Chapter 88
A song of the sons of Korah, a Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.
This seems to be a crying out to God from one who has been severely judged by him, and wants to repent.
The second stanza seems to be reminding God that only the living can praise Him, acknowledge Him, be thankful for His ongoing blessings. This is a plea to remain alive, for God to hold back death a bit longer.
The last stanza seems to be that this person has been under God's wrath from birth. One taken in captivity? One handicapped since birth? Doesn't really come out and say either one.
The Psalm ends abruptly, without any closure, positive or negative.
This is a very sad psalm, and there is no uplifting conclusion to it. The last verse is here:
18 You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness. [Psa 88:18 ESV]
A note in TCR says that last phrase can be rendered as "darkness is my only companion". This person is as low as low can go. He considers himself almost as the dead. And his appeal is based on the fact that those in hell do not praise God. So...is this a lost person, aching to be saved, aching for God's mercy, and yet denied time after time?
MSB note is much like mine. There is no happiness at the end. MSB thinks the person has been ill or injured since he was born, and has prayed for good health/healing for his whole life, and yet it has not come. The fact that he still turns to God, even after all this time, indicates an underlying trust. But like Job, this man does not understand why such a life would be his lot, as he finds no sin within himself.
Possible FB post.
Perhaps the lesson of this psalm is that sometimes, God does not give us the relief we seek, sometimes he does not hear, yet we are not thereby excused from trusting him and looking to him. His ways are not our ways, and even in the worst darkness, we are not allowed to despise his ways. We can complain, as this writer does consistently, but we cannot, should not hate God for our lot in this world. This is not the world we should focus on.
It just occurred to me that this person might well be a leper. It would explain why there is no cure, why he cannot/does not get better, and why the whole world shuts him out, and he has zero friends to come to his aid. The leper's prayer.
And yet this is from the Sons of Korah? Was one of them a leper? Was one of them isolated from the other Sons of Korah?
Chapter 89
Ethan the Ezrahite, possibly the same man mentioned back in 1Chr 6:42, 15:17,19. The name seemed familiar to me, the references are from MSB. The explanation of the psalm in MSB is very helpful also. It says that in this psalm the writer is trying to resolve his theology - which makes Israel God's chosen nation, and David the kingly line forever - with what he is seeing all around him. Apparently this was written in a time of devastation and disgrace - David and Bathsheba? David in hiding from Absalom? Note also that this is the last psalm of Book 3.
Vss 1-37 are a statement of the writer's theology. He talks about the faithfulness of God - unending, unquestionable, and then the kingly line, in vss 1-4.
In 5-7 he talks about God's incomparable power. He compares God to other heavenly inhabitants, one of which includes "the sons of God" (as translated in the footnotes. In ESV it is translated "heavenly beings", but I suspect this is the same phrase Moses used.
The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.
Psalms 89:11 ESV
A description of God's power over all creation.
Then a long section recounting God's plans for David and his offspring. This verse is included:
And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
Psalms 89:27 ESV
And this verse also about David:
29 I will establish his offspring forever and his throne as the days of the heavens. [Psa 89:29 ESV]
Vss 30-33 seem to anticipate the future, saying that no matter how awful David's children get, that God will punish them, but:
33 but I will not remove from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness. 34 I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. 35 Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David. [Psa 89:33-35 ESV]
Then the writer sort of lays "reality" at the base of this tower of promises from God,. He talks about the demoralized state of the kingdom, about how their enemies are strengthened against them, David's crown is in the dust and his throne on the ground. The stanza ends with this verse:
45 You have cut short the days of his youth; you have covered him with shame. Selah [Psa 89:45 ESV]
Remember how short my time is! For what vanity you have created all the children of man!
Psalms 89:47 ESV
Vss 46-48 question how long this state of things will go on. The appeal is based on the brevity of the lives of men. If God lets it go on indefinitely, then men will die thinking God has gone back on his promises. They may live and die in a reality that is different from what God promised. So the psalmist prays for a quick reversal, a soon restoration of David and the nation of Israel. Isn't this an interesting point...God's timing of a single event can cover many lifetimes - many generations - of men. If you live in a time of punishment for unrighteousness, then you may live your whole life with no evidence of the mercy and grace and providence of God. In such times, we are still to believe, still to trust in the unfailing faithfulness of God.
This verse opens the next stanza:
49 Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David? [Psa 89:49 ESV]
A plea for understanding of current events, which do not seem to match up with God's promises to David and to Israel.
The psalm ends without a resolution of this question. The "tension" of this seeming contradiction is left hanging in the air, unanswered. But there is a last verse. Despite this seeming failure of God's promises, the psalmist closes with this:
52 Blessed be the LORD forever! Amen and Amen. [Psa 89:52 ESV]
We must remember our place in God's plan. Our lives are short, our "wisdom" so limited by the few years we are given. But God is forever. Trust in Him, and in His wisdom.
This is a wonderful FB post. Come back here and look at Psa 89, on 7/1/20.
10/8/21 This reads as if it was written long after David, either under a bad King or a good one following a bad one. Could be from the return from Babylon. It is what happens to a nation that opposes God for too long. That nation fails, becomes a derision, all is unsettled and chaotic. Not a place to live.