Historical Psalms

TraditionsTraditions

Plague ListsPlague ListsPsalm 78

Rivers to Blood . Swarms of FliesFrogs

Caterpillars /CockroachesLocusts

Hail (vines)Frost/FloodHail (cattle)

.Thunderbolts /plagues

Firstborn .

Exodus 7-12

Nile to Blood .

Frogs .

GnatsSwarms of Flies

Cattle plagueBoils

Hail .LocustsDarknessDarkness

Firstborn .

Psalm 105DarknessDarknessWaters to Blood .

Frogs .

Swarms of FliesGnats

Hail .Locusts

Firstborn .

Synopsis of Historical PsalmsPsalm 78

10-8th century

"From Zoan to Zion" (Kidner, 1975, 280)

Orientation

Psalm 106

6th century—Exile

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?

Psalm 136Psalm 1361 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 PraiseCall to Praise

•Reasons for praise

Psalm 136Psalm 13610 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;

Psalm 136Psalm 13623 to the One who remembered us in our low

estate24 and freed us from our enemies, 25 and who gives food to every creature. 26 Give thanks to the God of heaven.

Concluding Concluding Call to PraiseCall to Praise