The Sons of Korah

4 February 2012

THE SONS OF KORAH

1. They were Levites

2. Some functioned as Psalm writers

3. They assisted the priests in maintaining the service of the Tabernacle/Temple

THE FOLLOWING KORAHIC PSALMS FEATURED GOD AS KING

1. Prayer to God as King          Psalm 44

2. Praise to God as King (Israel)          Psalm 45

3. Praise to God as King (The earth)          Psalm 47

4. Praise to God as King reigning in Mount Zion          Psalm 48

PRAYING TO GOD AS KING Psalm 44

1. Appreciation of the Role of the King in establishing Israel as a kingdom          Psalm 44:1-8

a) Drove out the inhabitants of Canaan

b) Planted Israel in Canaan

c) Glorying in the King

2. Approaching the King with the problems facing the nation of Israel          Psalm 44:9-16

a) The enemies have the upper hand

b) Israel is defeated and scorned by the enemies

c) The nation is in danger of being destroyed

3. Appealing to the King for justice          Psalm 44:17-22

a) Pleading innocence

b) Not guilty of playing false with God’s covenant

c) Not guilty of departing from God

d) Not guilty of forgetting God’s name

4. Appealing to God to arise and to come to the rescue of His people          Psalm 44:23-26

a) Desperate plea for immediate help

b) Pleading the mercies of God

DISCUSSION

1. How well do we understand the role of the priests and Levites?

2. How should we understand the strong language employed by the Sons of Korah?

3. How may we practise the idea of praying to God as King?