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What are the motifs/themes in Wisdom Psalms?

1) Praise and Thanksgiving
2) Wisdom and Instruction
3) Trust and Confidence
4) All of the above

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Wisdom Psalms deal with living a moral life, the contrast between the righteous and wicked, and divine guidance. They suggest that wisdom and a moral order come from God and adherence to His laws results in joy and prosperity. These themes resonate with the universal human desire for divine connection, as seen in various cultural and religious traditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Wisdom Psalms are a collection of poems within the Book of Psalms that deal with the theme of wisdom, providing guidance on how to live a good and moral life. They often emphasize themes such as the importance of living in accordance with God's will, the contrast between the righteous and the wicked, and the value of divine guidance and instruction. One of the recurring motifs in Wisdom Psalms is the portrayal of life as a path or way, featuring the choices between the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. This invites reflection on the consequences of one's actions and adherence to moral principles.

Wisdom Psalms also underscore the notion that true wisdom comes from God and adherence to the law (Psalms 19:7-8), which results in joy and enlightenment. The Psalms convey that the world has an inherent moral order, established by God, and that individuals achieve contentment and prosperity through following this order (Psalm 145:9). They often include a call to learn and reflect upon the experiences and teachings of the past, particularly the life and music of King David, as a model for just living (Micah 7:2).

Ultimately, these themes underline a universal human desire for connection with the Divine, represented in different ways across cultures and religions, as seen in the ecstatic poetry of Rumi, Hafiz, and Kabir, as well as the philosophical writings of Plato on virtues like wisdom and civil harmony (Plato's 'Republic').

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