Page 72 - The Poetic Books - Student Text

One of the ways to check the truth of this suggestion is by looking at a Psalm that occurs in both sections
with minor differences. Psalm 53 repeats Psalm 14 with variations in one verse. Psalm 14 uses Yahweh
four times and Elohim three times. Psalm 53 uses Elohim exclusively. Does this indicate a difference in
topic with Psalm 14 about Yahweh’s personal presence in the life of a believer and Psalm 53 more about
Elohim’s sovereignty over all humans? Could these two psalms, so similar, indicate the core difference
between Book 1 and Book 2?

Psalm 14 considers the fool who does not believe in God. Such a person has certain characteristics. He is
corrupt and does no good. The fool is at odds with God’s people. He devours them like bread and never
calls on Yahweh. The first half of verse five observes his dread. The second half gives the reason, “God is
present in the company of the righteous.” Psalm 53 begins in the same manner. A difference begins in
53:5b. Instead of God’s presence filling them with dread, they are overwhelmed “where there was
nothing to dread.” The differences continue, although both psalms end on the same notes of longing,
confidence in God, and joy in the prospect.

14:6 You evildoers frustrate the plans 53:5c God scattered the bones of those
Of the poor who attacked you;
but the LORD is their refuge. you put them to shame
for God despised them.

14:7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come 53:6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come
out of Zion! out of Zion!
When the LORD restores his people, When God restores his people,
Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

The differences between the two psalms are certainly deliberate and probably indicate something of the
differences between Book I and Book II. “Psalm 14 fits well into the emphases of David 1…. The psalm
relates Yahweh’s provision of refuge [Note “refuge” in 14:6b.] ....
The altered form in Psalm 53, on the other hand, makes this
almost entirely a denunciation of the wicked, like Psalm 52, to
which it is juxtaposed [put near].” Book I describes the
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righteous in close association with Yahweh in various settings,
including that of persecution by the wicked. Book II keys in on
the nature of the wicked and God’s rejection of them. The
repetition provides a benchmark by which to check our
understanding of other psalms in these two collections. The
repetition may also underscore Paul’s quotation in Romans 3:12
Figure 37: 1955 Benchmark of Psalm 14:1-3 and 53:1-3. Humans are sinners in need of God’s
salvation whether part of Israel or among the nations.

Another duplicate Psalm confirms this general distinction between Book I and Book II. Psalm 70 repeats
part of Psalm 40 (13-17). Both are by David. Only minor variations exist between the two. Psalm 40
begins with a graphic description of the writer’s trust in Yahweh during a particularly difficult time. In

118 Creach, Yahweh as Refuge, 85.
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