I need help responding to someone in a FB group

[Thatgirloncfforums]

I write out the Psalms every week for my church's bulletin. I notice that David invokes angels and creation to praise God? I asked if this implies that creation is aware of or can 'hear' David? I was told , 'No. That's just poetry'.

But this doesn't seem quite right. Thoughts and assistance?

 

[Thatgirloncfforums]

The angels and creation aren't dead though

Here is what the Bible says

Acts 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.


Psalm 6:5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

 

[pdudgeon]

I write out the Psalms every week for my church's bulletin. I notice that David invokes angels and creation to praise God? I asked if this implies that creation is aware of or can 'hear' David? I was told , 'No. That's just poetry'.

But this doesn't seem quite right. Thoughts and assistance?

I think the person who told you that just got up on the wrong side of the bed that morning.
Now is there actually a "Rong side" of the bed? No, they probably didn't get enough sleep that night, and just said the first thing that popped into their head.
If plants and trees can stretch toward the Sunlight, if birds can sing beautiful songs in Springtime, I would call it praising the Lord.
Angels, of course, always Praise the Lord in Heaven.

 

[Thatgirloncfforums]

I think the person who told you that just got up on the wrong side of the bed that morning.
Now is there actually a "Rong side" of the bed? No, they probably didn't get enough sleep that night, and just said the first thing that popped into their head.
If plants and trees can stretch toward the Sunlight, if birds can sing beautiful songs in Springtime, I would call it praising the Lord.
Angels, of course, always Praise the Lord in Heaven.

But is David just using poetic licence when he invokes them to do what they already do? Or are the angels and creation aware of David's plea somehow?

 

[A_Thinker]

I write out the Psalms every week for my church's bulletin. I notice that David invokes angels and creation to praise God? I asked if this implies that creation is aware of or can 'hear' David? I was told , 'No. That's just poetry'.

But this doesn't seem quite right. Thoughts and assistance?

Some of the Psalms is poetic language, ... speaking specifically of angels, ... why wouldn't they be able to hear him ?

 

[Thatgirloncfforums]

Some of the Psalms is poetic language, ... speaking specifically of angels, ... why wouldn't they be able to hear him ?

Because he uses the same language for 'people' and 'earth'. That is why I am asking if the cosmos could hear David.

 

[Michie]

Job 12
1
Then Job replied:
2
"Doubtless you are the people, and wisdom will die with you!
3
But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these things?
4
"I have become a laughingstock to my friends, though I called upon God and he answered-- a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!
5
Men at ease have contempt for misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.
6
The tents of marauders are undisturbed, and those who provoke God are secure-- those who carry their god in their hands. [1]
7
"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
8
or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you.
9
Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?
10
In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
11
Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?
12
Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?
13
"To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.
14
What he tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man he imprisons cannot be released.
15
If he holds back the waters, there is drought; if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.
16
To him belong strength and victory; both deceived and deceiver are his.
17
He leads counselors away stripped and makes fools of judges.
18
He takes off the shackles put on by kings and ties a loincloth [2] around their waist.
19
He leads priests away stripped and overthrows men long established.
20
He silences the lips of trusted advisers and takes away the discernment of elders.
21
He pours contempt on nobles and disarms the mighty.
22
He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light.
23
He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them.
24
He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason; he sends them wandering through a trackless waste.
25
They grope in darkness with no light; he makes them stagger like drunkards.

 

[A_Thinker]

Because he uses the same language for 'people' and 'earth'. That is why I am asking if the cosmos could hear David.

So ... the cosmos ?

I would think not, ... except in some esoteric way that we wouldn't normally understand.

For instance, certainly the cosmos is affected ... by the actions and presence of mankind (of which David was a representative), ... but in the normal sense that we think, ... the cosmos would not respond to the words of David ...

 

[Thatgirloncfforums]

Thanks Michie!

Job 12
1
Then Job replied:
2
"Doubtless you are the people, and wisdom will die with you!
3
But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these things?
4
"I have become a laughingstock to my friends, though I called upon God and he answered-- a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!
5
Men at ease have contempt for misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.
6
The tents of marauders are undisturbed, and those who provoke God are secure-- those who carry their god in their hands. [1]
7
"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
8
or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you.
9
Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?
10
In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
11
Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?
12
Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?
13
"To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.
14
What he tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man he imprisons cannot be released.
15
If he holds back the waters, there is drought; if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.
16
To him belong strength and victory; both deceived and deceiver are his.
17
He leads counselors away stripped and makes fools of judges.
18
He takes off the shackles put on by kings and ties a loincloth [2] around their waist.
19
He leads priests away stripped and overthrows men long established.
20
He silences the lips of trusted advisers and takes away the discernment of elders.
21
He pours contempt on nobles and disarms the mighty.
22
He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light.
23
He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them.
24
He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason; he sends them wandering through a trackless waste.
25
They grope in darkness with no light; he makes them stagger like drunkards.

 

[Thatgirloncfforums]

What about what Michie posted?

So ... the cosmos ?

I would think not, ... except in some esoteric way that we wouldn't normally understand.

For instance, certainly the cosmos is affected ... by the actions and presence of mankind (of which David was a representative), ... but in the normal sense that we think, ... the cosmos would not respond to the words of David ...

 

[Michie]

Thanks Michie!

You’re welcome! I just noticed we are in TAW. So I’ll bow out now.

 

[ArmyMatt]

I write out the Psalms every week for my church's bulletin. I notice that David invokes angels and creation to praise God? I asked if this implies that creation is aware of or can 'hear' David? I was told , 'No. That's just poetry'.

But this doesn't seem quite right. Thoughts and assistance?

it can if God so wills it

 

[A_Thinker]

What about what Michie posted?

Undoubtedly, we can learn from the natural world around us. Observing nature and the creation inform us of the design God has placed within it. Certainly one can say that nature testifies to the matchless majesty of God, its Maker. We can see and understand hints of Him ... in nature's design and function.

And if God desires that an ass speak, ... then an ass will speak.

However, in the normal course of life, we see nature's expression according to the design God has placed within it. We see plants reach for the light, we see clouds dispense the rains, we see trees "bow" in the midst of the windstorm.

With all of this, I still think that is wisest not to attempt to wholly understand the Psalms (and other similar biblical writings) ... as strictly literal. It is best, IMHO, to understand scripture as God meant for it to be understood. God uses all spheres of language, including literal ... and metaphorical. We can't disallow God from employing metaphor ...

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I am reminded of the following scripture passages.

It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. (1 Corinthians 11:10)

Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (1 Peter 1:12)

I hope that helps.

 

[prodromos]

Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

 

[prodromos]

An atheist had gone to Mt Athos with his Christian friends and they visited Elder Paisios (now Saint Paisios). After something the Elder said about God, the athiest replied, "There is no god."
Elder Paisios responded, "There is no god? Ask any animal and they will tell you God exists." He then whistled and two lizards came running up. He asked the lizards, "Does God exist?" upon which they both lifted their eyes to the heavens and then bowed their heads, which they then repeated a few more times.

 

[ArmyMatt]

An atheist had gone to Mt Athos with his Christian friends and they visited Elder Paisios (now Saint Paisios). After something the Elder said about God, the athiest replied, "There is no god."
Elder Paisios responded, "There is no god? Ask any animal and they will tell you God exists." He then whistled and two lizards came running up. He asked the lizards, "Does God exist?" upon which they both lifted their eyes to the heavens and then bowed their heads, which they then repeated a few more times.

that’s awesome

 

[truefiction1]

Luke 19:40