The Tanakh Podcast

David calls to God from a distance - "from the ends of the earth", but he years for closeness, "under God's wing." Even as king, he sees himself as in God's presence.

Here we find David praying for the success of his armed forces after a particularly surprising and upsetting defeat. His prayer is raw and bold, it is passionate and unrestrained.

David is surrounded. Wild dogs roam the streets. But God is David's strength and refuge.

Here David speaks about corrupt figures in positions of power and authority, who pretend to speak for and implement the law, but are supporting and sustaining a corrupt regime, who are a threat to truth. Using some lovely metaphors from the animal kingdom, he asks God to take them down and to restore societal harmony and integrity.

As David escapes from King Saul, he expresses his desire to sing and produce music to praise God. Is this typical behaviour for a fugitive on the run? How do we piece together the puzzle of David's persona, and the conflicting elements within his character?

Today we speak about the power of tears

The city contains violence and conspiracy. The wilderness is a refuge. We discuss this as a trans-biblical theme.

David feels utterly abandoned, betrayed, lonely. He turns to God. What is the nature, the texture of this type of faith? How does it manifest itself?

The evildoers says "There is no God!" If we feel that there is no comeuppance, no consequences, no judge and no law, then humans are capable of the most dastardly things, jeopardizing our collective harmony.

This chapter attacks people whose tongues are like razors, cutting down the innocent, causing devastation, under the guise that they are serving the collective good.