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Psalms of Solomon

About this book

The Coming King and the Ordered Heavens

Psalm 18

1 Lord, Your mercy is over the works of Your hands forever; Your goodness is over Israel with a rich gift. 2 Your eyes watch over them, so that none of them lacks anything; Your ears listen to the hopeful prayer of the poor. 3 Your judgments (are executed) upon the whole earth in mercy; And Your love (is) toward Abraham’s descendants, the children of Israel. 4 Your discipline is upon us as (upon) a firstborn son, an only child,⁠ to turn back the obedient soul from foolishness (that is committed) in ignorance.

5 May God cleanse Israel in preparation for the day of mercy and blessing, in preparation for the day of choice when He brings back His anointed.

6 Blessed shall be those who live in those days, because they shall see the goodness of the Lord which He shall carry out for the generation that is to come, 7 Under the rod of discipline of the Lord's anointed in the fear of his God, In the spirit of wisdom and righteousness and strength; 8 so that he may guide (every) man in the works of righteousness by the fear of God, so that he may strengthen them all in the Lord’s presence, 9 A good generation (living) in the fear of God in the days of mercy. Selah.

10 Our God is great and glorious, living in the highest heavens. (It is He) who has placed the lights (of heaven) in (their) courses for determining seasons from year to year, and they have not turned aside from the way which He appointed for them.⁠ 11 In the fear of God (they pursue) their path every day, From the day God created them and forevermore. 12 And they have not strayed since the day He created them. Since ancient generations they have not withdrawn from their path, unless God commanded them (so to do) by the command of His servants.⁠

Texts in conversation

Compare Psalms of Solomon 18:4 and 4 Ezra 6:58

Pseudepigrapha, Wisdom and Poetry · Pseudepigrapha, Apocalypses

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Summary

The Psalms of Solomon and 4 Ezra both use the image of God disciplining a firstborn child, comparing Israel’s struggle with being ruled by other nations with the discipline and guidance a parent gives a child.

Passages

Psalms of Solomon 18:4

Pseudepigrapha, Wisdom and Poetry
2 Your eyes watch over them, so that none of them lacks anything; Your ears listen to the hopeful prayer of the poor. 3 Your judgments (are executed) upon the whole earth in mercy; And Your love (is) toward Abraham’s descendants, the children of Israel. 4 Your discipline is upon us as (upon) a firstborn son, an only child, to turn back the obedient soul from foolishness (that is committed) in ignorance. 5 May God cleanse Israel in preparation for the day of mercy and blessing, in preparation for the day of choice when He brings back His anointed. 6 Blessed shall be those who live in those days, because they shall see the goodness of the Lord which He shall carry out for the generation that is to come,
65–30 BCE (scholarly estimate) Read in the Psalms of Solomon

4 Ezra 6:58

Pseudepigrapha, Apocalypses · 2 Esdras
56 As for the other nations, which also come from Adam, you have said that they are nothing, and are like spittle. You have likened the abundance of them to a drop that falls from a bucket. 57 Now, O Lord, behold these nations, which are reputed as nothing, being rulers over us and devouring us. 58 But we your people, whom you have called your firstborn, your only children, and your fervent lover, are given into their hands. 59 Now if the world is made for our sakes, why don’t we possess our world for an inheritance? How long will this endure?”
70–132 CE (scholarly estimate) Read in 4 Ezra

References

"... Compare 4 Ezra 6:58 ..."
Robert B. Wright, The Psalms of Solomon: A Critical Edition of the Greek Text (London: T&T Clark, 2007), 205.

References are not endorsements of their contents. Read each reference in full to understand its author's intentions in using these texts.

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Psalms of Solomon 18:4 and 4 Ezra 6:58

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