"Be still and know that I am God." Verse 8 is about all many Christians remember of Psalm 45. This is one of those classic cases of taking a verse out of context. Fred Sanders puts it back in the chapter and explores what the Psalmist's meaning is. Sanders quotes Calvin's commentary on the passage:
the Psalmist exhorts the world to subdue and restrain their turbulent affections, and to yield to the God of Israel the glory which he deserves; and he warns them, that if they proceed to act like madmen, his power is not enclosed within the narrow limits of Judea, and that it will be no difficult matter for him to stretch forth his arm afar to the Gentiles and heathen nations, that he may glorify himself in every land.
Too often interpretation is replaced by immediate application, which lends itself to reading meaning into passages that isn't justified by the passage itself. Paul's admonition to "guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you" (2 Timothy1:14) includes properly understanding God's revelation to us.
Application and illumination are important steps in understanding God's word, but it seems too often that they are the only steps Christians practice when "studying" the Bible. The proper question is not "what does this passage mean to me?" It's "what does this passage mean?" Once that question is asked, it's proper to ask 'what does this passage mean for me?"
The verse reference is Ps 46:10, not 45:8.
Posted by: Jason Dulle | June 29, 2006 at 09:20 AM
"Your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad."
-Psalm 45:8
I don't hear this one quoted as much....
Posted by: Red Loser | July 02, 2006 at 09:44 AM