When I wrote my book on Proverbs, I pointed out that the book was framed as advice to a son from a parent–first, from Solomon as father, then ending with the wisdom of a mother (who also represents Wisdom–v. 32). I stressed that, the literary device of a father advising a son, or a king talking to a royal heir, Proverbs was to be read and heeded by everyone.
Thus, I wrote on page X of the preface, that the “intended audience of Proverbs is more than just those who are set to inherit political authority. Proverbs was published as wisdom for everyone.” And again: “Proverbs seems to be Wisdom’s call to everyone to seek to be true sons (and also daughters) of Solomon.” And again: “Young men are in a transitional stage. They are on the cusp of adulthood. Proverbs is especially aimed at them, though everyone can and should profit from the book.”
It is obvious to me that, to the extent that one is concerned about Biblical masculinity, that Proverbs is especially relevant. But the results may surprise some. One would expect a book on masculinity to contrast it with femininity. There is some of that (i.e. Proverbs 11:16) but more attention is paid to the difference between children and adults. Proverbs has far more to say about the authority of mothers over their sons than about the authority of husbands over their wives.
Since I wrote my book, my impression is that the interest in understanding masculinity has increased among Evangelicals. I have no scientific evidence for this impression and it may just mean I need to have a broader group of acquaintances. But I am writing this post in case there is some truth to that impression.
THE PSALMS ARE FOR EVERYONE
I have written before that the Psalms are related to Proverbs and are an element in the Proverbs origin story. Many of them came first and Solomon was raised have them used in public worship.
The Psalms are the Bible’s hymn book. Certain ways of understanding how the “New Testament” allegedly supersedes the Old Testament would mean that they Bible contains no inspired hymn book for Christians. In my opinion, that’s a litmus test: Any view that leaves us without the Psalms as God’s gift and discipleship tool for Christian public worship is inaccurate.
The Psalms are incredibly diverse! And they were meant to be sung and heard by children and adults, men and women of all ages. The basically provide training in prayer, thinking about God and life, and feeling toward God an life.
Just a few samples of the kind of expressions that are present in the Psalms:
- “I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping. My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes” (Psalm 6:6–7).
- “YHWH judges the peoples; judge me, O YHWH, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me. Oh, let the evil of the wicked come to an end, and may you establish the righteous—-you who test the minds and hearts, O righteous God!” (Psalm 7:8–9).
- You made my enemies turn their backs to me, and those who hated me I destroyed. They cried for help, but there was none to save; they cried to YHWH, but he did not answer them. I beat them fine as dust before the wind; I cast them out like the mire of the streets (Psalm 18:40–42).
- I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread (Psalm 37:25).
- The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked. Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth” (Psalm 58:10–11).
- Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me. They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together. You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness (Psalm 88:16–18 [Note: this is how the Psalm concludes!).
- “O YHWH, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me” (Psalm 131:1b–2 ESV).
- “Hear my prayer, O YHWH give ear to my pleas for mercy! In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you” (Psalm 143:1–2 ESV).
- Blessed be YHWH, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle (Psalm 144:1b).
- Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron (Psalm 149:5–8).
These are a few quotes (from the ESV but with “the LORD” fixed). I could have included many more of each type of phrase. Perhaps Psalm 31 is a relative outlier. Psalm 88 perhaps also because it offers no resolutions at all! But neither are any less inspired for all that.
THE PSALMS TRAIN US TO FEEL
These words, though vastly different in effect and thought, were meant to be sung and prayed by the Israelite congregation in public worship. They were meant to be sung enthusiastically and sincerely. They were meant to be sung regularly. When you were going through personal crisis and tragedy you might have to sing an exulting song. When you were basking in blessing, you might have to sing Psalm 88. As a little child who had no real experience with either of these states, you would learn to sing about realities you did not yet know.
And you had to sing these whether you were a man of women.
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and maidens together, old men and children! Let them praise the name of YHWH, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.
Psalm 148:11–13
I think this needs to set a limit to what is claimed about different mindsets or emotional natures in the two (and only two) sexes of humanity that God created in His image. When it comes to the Psalms, truly “there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).