The Psalms and economic justice (original) (raw)
Related papers
The poor in the Psalms: A variety of views
Verbum et Ecclesia, 2015
Since the psalms are religious, poetic, existential expressions of life, entailing both extreme joy and intense suffering, it stands to reason that poverty (in its literal sense and otherwise) would receive considerable attention. Focussing on material poverty and challenging the idea of a homogeneous view on poverty (e.g. Armenfr�mmigkeit) in the psalms, the diversity of views on poverty in the psalms is explored. Attention is paid to YHWH or God caring for the poor, the (Israelite) king as champion for the poor, the gods (heavenly assembly) (non)caring for the poor, caring for the poor in Zion theology, God as crusher of the poor and mutual human charity. The article concludes with some remarks regarding the possible present-day appropriation of the views in the psalms.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article challenges the traditional notion on Armenfr�mmigkeit in the psalms. This is important for contexts where identifying with the poor are fed by sel...
Good News for the Poor: The Quest for Human Flourishing in the Psalms
The Baptist Theological Journal Vol 32, 2023
The Hebrew Bible reflects a rich association of images and metaphors for human flourishing, not least in the book of Psalms. Beginning with some of these iconic images, the article then turns to focus on seven psalms. In each psalm there is the juxtaposition of two groups, namely the wicked or the powerful and a collection of their victims, namely the poor, widows, orphans and the afflicted. But what is most striking about these psalms is that the writer is making his appeal on behalf of the latter group rather than on behalf of himself. The Psalmist calls out to God to intervene in society and to make his presence known in the form of justice and mercy. The prayers are proleptic as the poet anticipates the actions of God in the reordering of our world to create a place where all the people of God can flourish. Key to this appeal, is the bestowal of honour and dignity by means of some anticipated action of God and his agents. The conclusion in this article is that it is the righteous people of God who are to be the vehicle of God's gracious actions and of bearing the good news of an inclusive human flourishing.
Ecclesiastical Response on Economic Justice – A Biblical Theology of Wealth
BIBLICAL STUDIES JOURNAL, 2021
The fundamental needs of humans are food, shelter and clothing. Despite progress, the existence of absolute poverty for many hundreds of millions of people involving malnutrition, illiteracy, disease and starvation is a fact of today's world. What is Jesus's attitude and teaching of Jesus on Poverty? What does the church as a community say when there is economic injustice going on in society? What does the Bible teach about the economic welfare of people? How can the Church at the local, national, and global levels play a vital role in the economic welfare of people? I attempt to briefly present the Biblical Theology of wealth or Economic Justice in the light of the present-day global economic inequalities.
A Polysemiotic Approach to the Poor in the Psalms
Discussion of the language of the poor in the Psalms has centered primarily on the various meanings of n ]U and 13U. Yet a proper understanding of the poor in the Psalms necessitates an analysis of terms that extends beyond the tradition ally considered terms related to poverty, *1ΰ and 13U. As a result, a broader concept of poverty in the Psalter needs to be established, with various terms that comprise the word field noted. Such an exercise will establish the semantic do main of poverty as expressed in the Psalter. To further refine the meaning, or meanings, behind the terms that appear in the word field, the polysemiotic na ture of each term demands attention. 1 A polysemiotic approach offers a helpful and necessary tool in deciphering the multivalent nature of each term.
You Shall Not Bow Down and Serve Them: Economic Justice in the Bible
Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology, 2015
In the context of our modern global economy in which the richest one percent of the population becomes richer, while the poor grow ever poorer, this essay draws attention to the many biblical texts that announce God’s concern for economic justice. From teachings that govern community life in the torah of Moses, to the indictments of injustice made by the prophets, and to the good news proclaimed by Jesus in the Gospels, the Bible contains a radical message of God’s favor for the poor and God’s condemnation for those who exploit the poor and sustain systems of economic injustice. Society today tends to compartmentalize “religion” and “real life” in order conveniently to ignore these biblical imperatives.1
Psalms 69:33-34 in the light of the poor in the Psalter as a whole
Verbum Et Ecclesia, 2007
The Psalter has very often been regarded as the prayer book of the poor. In the Psalms God is portrayed as the saviour of the poor, their hope, their stronghold and liberator-whether these are prayers of an individual or prayers of the community. The high concentration of the term(s) for the "poor" in the Psalter, in relation to the rest of the books of the Old Testament (OT), indeed indicates a profound affinity for the "poor" in the Psalter, which is an indication that the Psalter underwent a redaction of the "theology of the poor". In this article the focus will be on Psalm 69, as it seems to have undergone a "redaction of the poor". The main focus will be on the verses 33 and 34, as they, specifically, contain terminology of the "poor". Special attention will also be given to the different terms used for the poor in this text.
A warm welcome to this edition of Encounters, focused around the theme of economic (in) justice. A number of topics are considered which address economic issues of concern affecting us both here in the UK and in other contemporary global contexts. What emerges is the need to engage critically with ideologies, theories, structures and practices, which frequently lead to economic injustice(s) occurring in societies and cultures around us. These require both personal and corporate responses as part of the wider Christian community's engagement in contemporary mission contexts.
Psalm 69:33-34 in the light of the poor in the Psalter as a whole
The Psalter has very often been regarded as the prayer book of the poor. In the Psalms God is portrayed as the saviour of the poor, their hope, their stronghold and liberator -whether these are prayers of an individual or prayers of the community. The high concentration of the term(s) for the "poor" in the Psalter, in relation to the rest of the books of the Old Testament (OT), indeed indicates a profound affinity for the "poor" in the Psalter, which is an indication that the Psalter underwent a redaction of the "theology of the poor". In this article the focus will be on Psalm 69, as it seems to have undergone a "redaction of the poor". The main focus will be on the verses 33 and 34, as they, specifically, contain terminology of the "poor". Special attention will also be given to the different terms used for the poor in this text.