2S15-1: Why You Should NOT Read The Psalms Like The Christians Do

Today, we begin 2nd Samuel Chapter 15.

For the Complete Jewish Bible, click HERE.

For the King James Version, click HERE.

Let me remind you of the curse Adonai placed on David’s household:

“‘Now therefore, the sword will never leave your house- because you have shown contempt for me and taken the wife of Uriyah the Hitti as your wife.’  Here is what ADONAI says: ‘I will generate evil against you out of your own household.'”-2nd Samuel 12:10-11

My point in sharing that is to remind you that despite all the hell breaking loose in David’s family, the Lord was firmly in control.

And this included Absalom’s rebellion about to unfold.

We’re about to begin one of the saddest tales in all of the Bible.

I dunno about you.

But for me, one of the most tragic things is when a son betrays his father.

In Absalom’s case, it’s gonna be bad.

We’re about to witness some of the most flagrant Torah violations ever committed in the history of mankind.

I’m talking about murder, sexual sin on a grand (and public) scale, and deception.

If I were to choose one Biblical character who exemplified the breaking of the 5th commandment to honor your father and mother, Absalom would be a strong contender.

David’s son is gonna turn against him.

Folks, this is what happens when you break God’s commandments and think you’re gonna get away with it.

David gave in to one night of lust with Bathsheba, and his life was never the same afterward.

Onward.

Now, here’s something a lot of folks are clueless about.

David penned many of the Psalms during this crazy period of his life. 

We won’t be able to examine them all, but for sure, we’re gonna take a look at some of them.

And it’s important we do, because these Psalms give us a direct peek into David’s heart and what he was feeling back then.

This also leads to the takeaway for today.

And that is, do not read the Psalms like the Christians do.

They ain’t a bunch of generic prayers that you flip through randomly without rhyme or reason.

Ya feeling me here?

Each Psalm is connected to a specific set of circumstances.

That’s how we gotta understand them.

Read them like the Christians do, and you’ll end up with a mess of false understanding and even worse doctrine.

This is exactly what the Gentile church has been doing for freakin’ centuries!

Woah, kinda lost my temper there.

Anyway, my point is don’t let your subjectivity go hog wild (what you mistake to be the Holy Spirit) when reading the Psalms.

Ya feeling me here?

Done.