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Commentaries of the book of Psalms

According to Vermes, the dead seas scrolls put a lot of emphasis on the rules for the

religious communities that occupied the site around the desert cave of Qumran (88). These rules

range from the daily lives of the individuals that occupied the area around the region to their

expected behavior. An essential behavior of these people was their prayer activity. Although the

prayer was more of a personal conversation between these individuals with God, the Dead seas

scrolls helped in the provision of a form of guidance that provided various best practices that

would be followed. The commentaries of Psalms helped in offering guidance with regards to this

vital part of the lives of these individuals (Vermes 123). For example, 4Q83 Psalms covers one

of David’s prayers to God. 4Q83 Psalms verse helps in showing how David, a king, used to pray.

Through it, readers got some of the best practices of having a conversation with God. This paper

will offer a comprehensive discussion about prayer from the perspective of the commentaries of

the Psalm. The paper will use verses from 4Q83 psalms to help in the development of the plot of

the paper.

In 4Q83 psalms David gives three characters. These characters include his character, that

of his enemies and the general people of God. David then subjoins a combined prayer for them.

David uses this prayer to give an account of him, and he uses this account to provide a prayer

about himself. This is an essential aspect of Psalms that is displayed through the old sea scrolls.

Psalms offer a comprehensive description of the lives of its authors. For example, through
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Psalms, readers can get an in-depth understanding of how the authors felt when they were

writing the poems within Psalms (Vermes 342). For example, through 4Q83 Psalms readers get a

full account of the thoughts of David. This thorough account makes readers understand what

drove David to the worship of the Messiah and his perceptions towards his enemies, mainly how

he referred to his enemies when talking to the Messiah.

One of the key attributes of David displayed in 4Q83 Psalms is his resolution to keep a

close connection to God and the Worship of God. This resolution is evident in Psalms 8. In

Psalms 8, David acknowledges the fact that he is a sinner and says that this fact would not drive

him from God and the Worship of God. He affirms that the fact that he is a sinner would drive

him closer to God in an attempt of seeking forgiveness and repentance for his sins. In 4Q83

Psalms David makes various resolutions that are meant to help in the improvement of his

relationship with God. These resolutions include worshipping god and paying Homage to God,

Worshipping God publicly and worshipping God reverently (VanderKam 87). 4Q83 Psalms thus

shows us an essential part of this period. Through 4Q83 Psalms it is easier to see the significance

of God on the lives of the Israelites. If the then King David, went through this extent to mend his

relationship with God, which he thought was broken, then the nation held the word of God in

high regards and used them.

4Q83 Psalms talks about some of the fears of David as a king. For example, in verse 8,

David asks God to lead him through in his righteousness. He asks God to lead him through using

his righteousness because enemies surrounded him. In this verse, David made malice of his

enemies who according to him, were plotting against him. David asks for forgiveness from God

because of the sins that he might have committed without knowing. According to David, his

enemies were continually plotting against him and driving him into sin. This helps in displaying
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an important part of prayer. Through this verse, it is clear that David accepts that he is a sinner.

He accepts that he is a constant sinner (VanderKam, 546). David acknowledges the fact that his

enemies drive him to sin. This is an integral part of prayer and may have been used as the

foundation of prayer during this period.

In verse 12, David prays for his enemies; he acknowledges the fact that they are also the

children of God and deserve forgiveness just like him. He trusts that his prayers will be heard

and pronounces all his enemies blessed. This helps in showing an important aspect of this time.

Although this time was characterized by violence, they still had an urge for peace. This was an

important part of the prayer of the residents of the area around the desert cave of Qumran

(Mowinckel 65). He was considering the significance of the Dead Sea scrolls to the lives of these

people it clear that they valued peace. The religious community that lived around this area used

this text as a source of guidance. The prayer of the residents around the area of Qumran was thus

prayerful with regards to peace and good coexistence among them.

 
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Works Cited

Mowinckel, Sigmund. The Psalms in Israel's worship. Wm. B. Eerdmans

Publishing, 2004.

VanderKam, James. The Dead Sea Scrolls Today, Rev. Wm. B. Eerdmans

Publishing, 2010.

Vermes, Geza. The Dead Sea Scrolls in English. A&C Black, 1995.