July 27th, 2025 - Challenging Imagery in the Psalms

Scripture Passage: Psalm 58:6-8a

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The Psalms contain
challenging language

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Prayers to smite enemies, God afflicting us, stark righteous/wicked descriptions, Psalmists being a little too human...

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3 Options...?
Historical explanations, theological reframing, and cut and paste

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Another option?

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Bruggeman- three types:
Orientation, disorientation, reorientation

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Disorientation...that's the tough one

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Oversimplified neuroscience

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Proverbs & Psalms:
Reason & Passion

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Everything Belongs

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Physiotherapy or a workout
for our emotions
(whichever is needed)

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The sudden upswing to praise

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Psalmic therapy -
an example

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“In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.” v2

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"Break the arm of the wicked man;
call the evildoer to account for his wickedness" v15

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“In the Lord I take refuge. The wicked bend their bows…but the Lord is in his Holy Temple.”
From Ps11 v1-4

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“For the Lord is righteous. He loves justice, the upright will see his face.” Ps11:7