The Psalms are difficult of course, much harder to read than, say Genesis. But I've noticed that some (1 and 8) seem a little easier than others (2-5.) Are there any that strike you as relatively easy? Are there any that use ordinary and common words rather than the rare poetic words that make them so hard?
On the other end of the spectrum, which are the ones whose literary value make them a must-read, regardless of difficulty?
Mark Lightman
(relatively) easy Psalms?
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(relatively) easy Psalms?
Mark Lightman
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Re: (relatively) easy Psalms?
It’s not only the rare words, but also the many Psalms that use the more common words in a poetic manner.Mark Lightman wrote:The Psalms are difficult of course, much harder to read than, say Genesis. But I've noticed that some (1 and 8) seem a little easier than others (2-5.) Are there any that strike you as relatively easy? Are there any that use ordinary and common words rather than the rare poetic words that make them so hard?
I’ve reading through Psalms the last few weeks, and often I find misunderstandings based on wrong attributions of words. For example, in Psalm 65:2 we find the word דמיה which is usually taken as a misspelling for דומיה. Its use in the form found in Psalm 65:2 mostly means “her blood”, but in this verse seems to come from דמה a verb meaning to pattern an action, i.e. in this context to set up to praise. It’s things like this that make Psalms, and poetry in general, more difficult that it should be.
If I remember correctly, most of the Psalms after 100 tend to be easier to read.
I’ll let others answer this, as I read them all.Mark Lightman wrote:On the other end of the spectrum, which are the ones whose literary value make them a must-read, regardless of difficulty?
Mark Lightman
Karl W. Randolph.
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Re: (relatively) easy Psalms?
Welcome, Mark!
Here are some suggestions.
Easy Psalms:
8, 16, 19, 22, 23, 51, 100, 110, 118, 119, 139
Must-Reads
2, 8, 16, 22, 23, 51, 110, 118, 119, 139
Both lists could be expanded, but these are some that quickly come to mind.
Among the must-reads are several that are important for understanding the Christian use of the Psalms in teaching how Jesus is the Messiah. These include 2, 8, 16, 22, 110, and 118, in particular.
As it happens, several of these have fairly easy vocab, as well.
Listening to them in Hebrew also helps; I prefer the reader who recorded the ones on the Mechon Mamre site.
Dewayne Dulaney
Here are some suggestions.
Easy Psalms:
8, 16, 19, 22, 23, 51, 100, 110, 118, 119, 139
Must-Reads
2, 8, 16, 22, 23, 51, 110, 118, 119, 139
Both lists could be expanded, but these are some that quickly come to mind.
Among the must-reads are several that are important for understanding the Christian use of the Psalms in teaching how Jesus is the Messiah. These include 2, 8, 16, 22, 110, and 118, in particular.
As it happens, several of these have fairly easy vocab, as well.
Listening to them in Hebrew also helps; I prefer the reader who recorded the ones on the Mechon Mamre site.
Dewayne Dulaney
Dewayne Dulaney
דואיין דוליני
Blog: https://letancientvoicesspeak.wordpress.com/
כִּ֤י שֶׁ֨מֶשׁ׀ וּמָגֵן֮ יְהוָ֪ה אֱלֹ֫הִ֥ים חֵ֣ן וְ֭כָבוֹד יִתֵּ֣ן יְהוָ֑ה לֹ֥א יִמְנַע־ט֝֗וֹב לַֽהֹלְכִ֥ים בְּתָמִֽים׃
--(E 84:11) 84:12 תהלים
דואיין דוליני
Blog: https://letancientvoicesspeak.wordpress.com/
כִּ֤י שֶׁ֨מֶשׁ׀ וּמָגֵן֮ יְהוָ֪ה אֱלֹ֫הִ֥ים חֵ֣ן וְ֭כָבוֹד יִתֵּ֣ן יְהוָ֑ה לֹ֥א יִמְנַע־ט֝֗וֹב לַֽהֹלְכִ֥ים בְּתָמִֽים׃
--(E 84:11) 84:12 תהלים
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Re: (relatively) easy Psalms?
kwrandolph wrote: If I remember correctly, most of the Psalms after 100 tend to be easier to read.
Thanks, Karl and Dwayne. 16, 100 and 101 were in fact much easier. I guess we could add Jonah chapter 2 to the list as well.talmid56 wrote:Here are some suggestions.
Easy Psalms:
8, 16, 19, 22, 23, 51, 100, 110, 118, 119, 139
I hope to as well (I've read them all in Greek.) You are an inspiration for me in stuff like this.kwrandolph wrote:...I read them all.
talmid56 wrote: Listening to them in Hebrew also helps; I prefer the reader who recorded the ones on the Mechon Mamre site.
Dewayne Dulaney
Yes, that's the great Abraham Shmuelof. I discovered him early and listen to him often. He is easy to understand, enunciates each word clearly, speaks neither too fast nor slow, and has a pleasant voice.
Thanks again for the replies.
שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם
Mark Lightman
Mark Lightman