How does archaeology affirm the truths in Psalm 111:3? Psalm 111:3 “Splendid and majestic is His work; His righteousness endures forever.” Overview—How Archaeology Speaks to Psalm 111:3 Archaeology routinely uncovers physical reminders of God’s “splendid and majestic” acts in history and of a moral order that “endures forever.” From monumental structures and inscribed stones to humble household bullae, the ground continues to yield artifacts that dovetail with the biblical record, strengthening confidence that the works and righteousness of Yahweh stand secure. Stone Testimony to a People Redeemed • Merneptah Stele (c. 1208 BC, Cairo Museum): The earliest extra-biblical mention of “Israel” appears on this victory monument, echoing Scripture’s claim that a covenant people already existed in Canaan in the late 13th century BC. Their very presence affirms the “splendid” Exodus-Conquest acts recounted in Psalm 111’s context of redemptive history (vv. 6–9). • Mesha (Moabite) Stone (c. 840 BC, Louvre): Names “Yahweh,” “Israel,” and the “House of David,” mirroring 2 Kings 3. The artifact validates divine interventions on behalf of Israel and the Davidic line central to God’s enduring righteousness. • Tel Dan Inscription (c. 9th century BC, Israel Museum): The phrase “House of David” carved in Aramaic verifies a real Davidic dynasty rather than a legendary figure, rooting Psalm 111’s praise in tangible royal history. Monuments of Deliverance and Majesty • Hezekiah’s Tunnel & Siloam Inscription (701 BC, City of David): The 1,750-foot tunnel and paleo-Hebrew inscription corroborate 2 Kings 20:20. Engineering ingenuity under divine guidance preserved Jerusalem during Assyrian threat, an echo of God’s “splendid” works. • Sennacherib Prism (c. 690 BC, British Museum): Records the siege of Jerusalem yet conspicuously omits its capture, harmonizing with 2 Kings 19:35-36. Archaeology thus underlines Yahweh’s righteous protection of His people. • Cyrus Cylinder (539 BC, British Museum): Details the Persian policy of repatriating exiles, paralleling Isaiah 44:28–45:1 and Ezra 1:1–4. The document showcases God’s enduring righteousness in keeping covenant promises of restoration. Personal Seals, Household Bullae, and Covenant Faithfulness • Hezekiah Bullae (Ophel excavations, 2009 & 2015): “Belonging to Hezekiah son of Ahaz, king of Judah.” Confirms a historical king who “trusted in the LORD” (2 Kings 18:5), reinforcing Psalm 111’s claim that God’s righteous dealings span generations. • Isaiah Bullae? (Ophel, 2018): The partially preserved “Yesha‘yah[u] nvy” (“Isaiah the prophet”) found near Hezekiah’s seal potentially links two biblical figures whose joint ministry demonstrated God’s righteous judgments and mercies. • Bullae of Baruch, Gemariah & Jerahmeel (City of David, 1975): Name Jeremiah’s scribe and royal officials (Jeremiah 36), asserting the prophet’s historical milieu in which Yahweh’s righteousness was proclaimed despite national apostasy. Law Codes and Ethical Continuity • Sinai Covenant Tablet Fragments? While the original tablets are lost, comparative finds—Hittite suzerainty treaties (c. 14th–13th centuries BC, Boghazköy)—match the biblical covenant structure (preamble, stipulations, blessings/curses). Archaeology thus supports the antiquity of Israel’s moral code, underscoring that God’s righteousness “endures forever.” • Ketef Hinnom Silver Scrolls (c. 7th century BC, Israel Museum): Contain the priestly benediction of Numbers 6:24-26; the oldest extant biblical text predating the Dead Sea Scrolls by four centuries. Its survival attests to the preservation of righteousness in written form. New Testament Era—Artifacts of Splendor and Enduring Moral Purpose • Pilate Stone (1961, Caesarea): Latin inscription “Pontius Pilatus, Prefect of Judea.” Verifies the historicity of the prefect who authorized Jesus’ crucifixion, anchoring the Resurrection—the supreme “splendid work”—in real time. • Caiaphas Ossuary (1990, Jerusalem): Family tomb bearing the high priest’s name from Jesus’ trial (Matthew 26:3). • Nazareth Inscription (1st century AD, Paris): Imperial edict forbidding tomb robbery “because of the gods.” Most scholars trace it to Galilee; the decree’s severity suggests an early imperial reaction to the empty-tomb proclamation, indirectly affirming the Resurrection event that perfects Psalm 111:3. • Magdala Stone & Synagogue (dated to Jesus’ ministry years): Provide the earliest carved menorah and first-century setting for Galilean preaching, illustrating how the Messiah’s works unfolded in tangible locales. Dead Sea Scrolls—Textual Echoes of Ever-Enduring Righteousness Discovered 1947–56, the scrolls (c. 250 BC–AD 70) preserve every Old Testament book except Esther, including 24 copies of Psalms. A Psalm 111 fragment (4QPsª) exhibits wording identical to the medieval Masoretic Text reproduced in modern Bibles, confirming that God’s righteousness, as written, has not faded across millennia. Resurrection-Focused Finds • Early Christian Ossuaries with “Iesous,” fish, and anchor symbols (1st–2nd centuries AD, multiple sites) reflect belief in bodily resurrection. • Catacomb Graffiti in Rome (“ICHTHUS,” “Anastasis,” c. AD 125–150): Archaeological witness to a community centered on the risen Christ—God’s climactic “splendid work.” Such artifacts substantiate that the earliest believers staked everything on an historical event, fulfilling Psalm 111’s claim of enduring righteousness through redemption (vv. 9). Flood and Creation Echoes in the Human Record • World-wide Flood traditions inscribed on the Sumerian King List and Epic of Gilgamesh echo Genesis 6–9. • Babel-like Ziggurat of Etemenanki (excavated Babylon): Provides a material correlate to Genesis 11, affirming Scripture’s historical memory of humanity’s early dispersion. The convergence of these accounts with biblical chronology showcases the breadth of God’s majestic works from creation onward. Practical Implications The artifacts above are not isolated curiosities; they are cumulative sign-posts. Each discovery adds fresh weight to Psalm 111:3—illustrating that God’s deeds shine with splendor, and that His righteous purposes, once set in motion, remain unshaken. Archaeology therefore invites every honest inquirer to reconsider the biblical narrative not as myth, but as verifiable history that demands a personal response to the Lord whose works and righteousness are eternally trustworthy. |
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