This is a long, bootlicking psalm written by a young guy named Ethan the Ezrahite. Basically, he was to his king what MAGA pundits and plotters are to their preferred president: a propagandist.
According to Wikipedia — the last word on all things, until the article’s next edit — Ethan was “a boy at King David’s court well known for his wisdom.” Well, he knew how to shovel shit, anyway.
In a nutshell, Ethan’s 52 verses claim that all-powerful YHWH chose David and his descendants to rule Israel forevermore, and that anyone who opposes David’s reign also opposes YAH’s will.
And so, erudite little Ethan wants to know why YHWH won’t just smack David’s enemies down. “How long, Lord?” Ethan poses. “Will You hide Yourself forever? / Will Your wrath burn like fire?”
There are so many contentions in this screed that I could jump on, but the worst idea deals with why YHWH ever chose David to be king. Spoiler alert: Little David rocked big ol’ Goliath’s world.
“I have given help to one who is mighty,” says Lord YHWH. “I have exalted one chosen from the people.” (That’s “from,” not “by,” in case you were thinking that YAH might advocate democracy.)
So, might does make right? Is that our lesson here? I mean, I’m not a policy geek like Ethan the Ezrahite, but didn’t YAH also say, “The meek shall inherit the earth” and “Turn the other cheek”?