However repetitive this may be, I was more fascinated by the purpose of the psalms than their actual content. They are a collection of artificially clumped songs or poems which repeat the same messages in slightly different fashions. While the psalms were originally written in Hebrew, they have been applied to several different denominations of Christianity. This is possible because of the all-encompassing and pleasant wording that lends itself to multiple interpretations and translations. The Book of Psalms is a means for many people of different religions to develop a more personal connection with God.
Their original purpose was also to create a sense of community within Judaism. They discuss how God as they worship it is the only proper God, and that the Jewish people are the chosen people of that God. This is ironic because while the Psalms bring people together, they also cause conflict between the different religions that employ it. The forgiving language lends itself to a broader audience, while also leading people to reject each other's inevitable differentiated interpretations. This is the tragic flaw of religion as discussed in our first New York Times reading, that while it creates an aura of factuality, that aura is very judgemental and intolerant.
I agree with what you wrote. I feel like the Psalms is simply repeating itself throughout the entire book, stating the same thing over and over in just a different way.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see you expand on the repetitive nature of the psalms.. What are these main themes that come up over and over? And while the psalms were certainly used by many traditions, that could not have been what they were meant for..
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