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Psalms and Song of Songs

  1. Lesson One
    Overview of Poetry
    31 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  2. Lesson Two
    Poetic Structures
    22 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  3. Lesson Three
    Praise and Lament
    24 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  4. Lesson Four
    The Diversity of Psalms
    28 Activities
  5. Lesson Five
    Song of Songs
    20 Activities
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

Participants 24

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Psalms and Song of Songs Praise and Lament In | “Flesh” in the Psalms
Lesson 3, Activity 9

In | “Flesh” in the Psalms

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The biblical concept of “flesh” is a multifaceted category that describes what it means to be human, dependent on and created by God. It describes not only our mortal limitations, but also our joys, desires and need for God. Before we move on, we’ll close with a brief comment from Dr. Hans-Joachim Kraus, who summarizes the psalmists’ theology of flesh:

(In Psalms) it is not that humans have flesh, they are “flesh.” “Flesh” is the form of the physical body . . . The skeleton of the body is covered with “flesh” (Psalms 102:5; 38:3). The human body is vulnerable and perishable. The hostile powers want to “eat up the flesh” of their victims (Psalms 27:2 KJV), the way beasts devour their prey. The body (“flesh”) is weak and feeble when trouble and sickness befall it. Then the “flesh” faints “as in a dry and weary land where no water is” (Psalms 63:1; 42:2; 143:6). Without Yahweh’s protective power the human “flesh” is subject to insecurity and decay (Psalms 16:9–10). Humans are pitiable in their perishable existence in “flesh” (Psalms 78:39).

 

On the other hand, it must be remembered that humans who act arrogantly are only “flesh” (Psalms 56:4), weak, stumbling beings. Indeed, all humans are united to each other in that they share the common substance “flesh.” “All flesh,” that is, all human beings, come into the presence of Yahweh and praise Him (Psalms 65:2; 145:21). “He gives food to all flesh” (Psalms 136:25).

Source: Hans-Joachim Kraus, Theology of the Psalms, 1992, pp. 144-145.

“Flesh” is a comprehensive theme that helps frame a biblical understanding of what it means to be human. The Psalms don’t use it in any clinical sense, but rather to describe the human situation of mortal beings that are distant from, but dependent on, God. We’re frail and condemned to die, like “a wind that passes and comes not again.” But there is hope for revival and a greater life in YHWH:

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1 (ESV)