CS Lewis in his book "Christian Reflections" (published in 1967), wrote, "The dominant impression I get from reading the Psalms is one of antiquity... In that momentary proximity they are almost shockingly alien; creatures of unrestrained emotion, wallowing in self-pity, sobbing, cursing, screaming in exultation (p114) ... we shall find in the Psalms expressions of a cruelty more vindictive and a self-righteousness more complete that anything in the [Greek] classics. If we ignore such passages and read only a few selected favourite Psalms, we miss the point. For the point is precisely this: that these same fanatic and homicidal Hebrews, and not the more enlightened peoples, again and again -- for brief moments -- reach a Christian level of spirituality. It is not that they are better or worse than the Pagans, but they are both better and worse." (p116, "Christian Reflections")
Lewis is right about one thing. The Psalmist's claim that he is perfectly righteous is "shockingly alien" to us. We're sinners, but here the Psalmist is saying that he's without sin? Who can the Psalmist possibly be? Who can say the following?
I will behave myself in a perfect way ... I will not know evil. Psa 101:2,4
O Jehovah, judge me according to my righteousness, and according to my integrity in me. Psa 7:8.
And Jehovah has returned to me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands before His eyes. Psa 18:24
Preserve my soul for I am holy. Psa 86:2
My comment: Obviously either David was under a delusion or this is Christ speaking. The New Testament interpretation is that Christ is the Psalmist. Compare Hebrews 7:26 with Psalm 26...
Hebrews 7:26
For such a High Priest was fitting for us: holy, harmless, undefiled, and separated from sinners, and having become higher than the heavens;
Psalm 26:6,9,11
I will wash my hands in innocency; so I will go around Your altar, O Jehovah, Do not gather up my soul with sinners, nor my life with men of blood, But I will walk in my integrity; redeem me and be gracious to me.
My comment: Look at the similarity between Psalm 1 and messianic prophecies in Isaiah. Clearly, Christ is the tree -- the righteous man -- that bears fruit.
Psalm 1:3
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivulets of waters, which will give its fruit in its seasons, and its leaf will not wither, and all which he does will prosper.
Isaiah 11:1
And a Shoot goes out from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch will bear fruit out of his roots.
Isaiah 4:2
In that day the Branch of Jehovah will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth for pride and for glory for the survivors of Israel.
My comment: According to the Apostles, David was merely a mouthpiece that Christ spoke through...
the Holy Spirit spoke before through David's mouth. Acts 1:15
[God spoke] through the mouth of Your servant David. Acts 4:25
[God was] saying in David. Heb 4:7
David in Spirit [calls]. Mt 22:43
My comment: This makes sense. But is there a double meaning in the Psalms -- one about Christ and one about David? Well, how can Psalm 75 have any application to David? Did David in any way sustain the earth?
Psalm 75:3
The earth and all its inhabitants are dissolved; I set up its pillars firmly.
My comment: David was merely the tongue Christ wrote through. Christ does not share his glory in the Psalms with a man! "I will not give my glory to another". And is Christ completely arbritary? Did he just arbritarily pick and choose different diary entries from David's life? Not at all. When prophesying, the prophets were not writing about their own sufferings, but Christ's...
And these are the last words of David ... The Spirit of Jehovah has spoken by me, and His Word is ON MY TONGUE. 2 Sam 23:1,3
The prophets wrote concerning the sufferings of Christ. 1 Pet 1:11
every prophecy of Scripture did not come into being of its own interpretation. 2 Pet 1:20
For the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy. Rev 19:10
My comment: Many people try to use the Psalms to justify doubting. They say that in the Psalms, David was "forsaken" and "God hid his face from David". This is the very opposite of the New Testament interpretation. Christ was forsaken -- why? So that believers would never have to be forsaken...
Hebrews 5:7
[Christ] in the days of His flesh was offering both petitions and entreaties to Him being able to save Him from death, with strong crying and tears, and being heard from His godly fear;
Psalm 6:9
Jehovah has heard my plea; Jehovah will receive my prayer.
My comment: The Psalms are the prayers of Christ under the wrath of God and pleading his perfect righteousness on behalf of His people.
Note - CS Lewis is the author of such infamous works as "Mere Christianity" and "The Screwtape letters". As well as "Surprised by Joy" and "Reflections on the Psalms" etc
Loading...
i like your video pretty awesome =)) keep it up
tedkanode123 3 months ago
WOW! Great video, thanks for the enlightenment.
goldchocobo333 2 years ago
you a retard for posting this nonsense. get a clue.
grumpiking 3 years ago
of course you can use which ever accurate version you like, but dont claim its the only correct version because its the same as the modern ones but in archaic language.
Remember to ask yourself: am I loving Christ and bringing Glory on Him, or am i loving tradition?
(in your case your translation)
God bless
daranac2 3 years ago
Also, (allthough its of secondary importance) modern translations are if anything more accurate than the KJV because the scholars of Hebrew and Greek and Aramaic are more knollagable than the ones of years ago. they are more capable and have a good deal more original bible manuscripts. for the people of today in my opinion (especially young people) modern more understandable versions are better for reaching out with the gospel.
daranac2 3 years ago
I see your poin about the king James version but you should ask your self, are you focusing on Christ or tradition? the version of the bible you use is of secondary important, and all accurate new translations (english standard version for example) say the same thing as the king James version but in MDERN language that is used today. no one uses the language of the KJV anymore. its silly to say all modern translations are wrong because language changes over time.
daranac2 3 years ago
You fool He said this ya that is true however it was before he was born again He wasnt even a believer when he said this. Can you expect anything else from a non believer????
hastetheday1902 3 years ago
You are misguided. Are you guiding yourself? Most of these were prophetic in nature, pointing forward to the Righteousnes of Christ. Besides, The Spirit of God wrote the Bible - not men.
Man can be as perfect in his Sphere and God is in His.
Thank you for reading all those wonderful Psalms to me, however. I was blessed.
Phil T
Evangelander 4 years ago
Do you people ever listen to yourselves. You interpret everything to fit your beliefs. The God described in the old testament is so obviously a ghastly being created by man in his own image.
EndeavourAlways 4 years ago
I received your message and understand your point, though others here apparently do not. Lewis' faith was do wishy washy that only his fiction books are of any value. I really wish, though, that you would throw out that horrid bible version you are using and use the real word of God in English - the KJV - which doesn't say "stump of Jesse" as your bible does, but rightly says "root of Jesse", among many other things. Peace and blessings, Rev. Jim Cunningham, King James Bible Ministries
hmghosthost 4 years ago