In Psalm 28:5, which mentions God’s “works,” what historical or archaeological evidence can confirm these claimed acts of God? Psalm 28:5 in Context “Because they do not regard the deeds of the LORD or the work of His hands, He will tear them down and never rebuild them.” (Psalm 28:5) This verse highlights the reality that some remain indifferent to what God has done throughout history, despite continuous divine works in creation, deliverance, and judgment. The focus here is on the evidence—particularly historical and archaeological—that supports these “works” of God. Below is an encyclopedia-style treatment that surveys a range of archaeological and historical data often cited to validate scriptural claims. 1. Clarifying the “Works” of God Mentioned in Psalm 28:5 Psalm 28 is a prayer of David calling upon God to show mercy to the righteous and to bring justice upon the wicked. Verse 5 pinpoints an aspect of rebellion: failing to acknowledge God’s power and interventions. These “works” can refer to numerous extraordinary acts recorded throughout Scripture, such as: • Creation of the universe (Genesis 1–2). • Deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt (Exodus). • Establishment of the Israelite monarchy under figures like David and Solomon. • Continuous preservation of God’s people, often confirmed by historical events recorded in Scripture. Archaeology and extra-biblical records provide a remarkable window for examining many of these events. 2. Archaeological Corroboration of Old Testament Events Several major pieces of archaeological data have emerged over the years that shed light on the historical reliability of Israel’s narrative and thus on “the works” of the LORD. 2.1 The Ebla Tablets Discovered in northern Syria in the 1970s, these tablets (c. 2500–2250 BC) reference names and locations reminiscent of patriarchal narratives. While they do not offer a one-to-one confirmation of every biblical event, they affirm the presence of personal and place names consistent with Old Testament passages, suggesting a broader historical context for the patriarchs. 2.2 The Tel Dan Stele Unearthed in northern Israel in the early 1990s, this Aramaic inscription from the 9th century BC explicitly references the “House of David.” Prior to this discovery, some critics doubted David’s historicity. The stele directly supports the existence of a Davidic dynasty as the biblical account describes (2 Samuel). 2.3 The Moabite Stone (Mesha Stele) Dating from about the 9th century BC and discovered in the 19th century, this stone—erected by King Mesha of Moab—mentions the Moabite conflict with Israel. It parallels the narrative in 2 Kings 3 and corroborates the historical context of conflict between Israel and Moab. 2.4 The Sennacherib Prism (Taylor Prism) This clay prism records the Assyrian King Sennacherib’s campaigns, including his siege of Jerusalem during the reign of King Hezekiah (2 Kings 18–19; Isaiah 36–37). Although the prism omits the biblical outcome that God miraculously preserved Jerusalem, it confirms the historical veracity of the siege itself. 2.5 Hezekiah’s Tunnel and the Siloam Inscription Hezekiah’s Tunnel, described in 2 Kings 20:20 and 2 Chronicles 32:30, was excavated by the king to bring water from the Gihon Spring into the city of Jerusalem. Today, visitors can walk the same tunnel. Inside, the Siloam Inscription (found in the late 19th century) narrates how two teams digging from opposite ends met in the middle—tangible evidence of the biblical account. 3. Evidence Pertaining to Creation and “Intelligent Design” Psalm 28:5 broadly encompasses God’s “works” in creation. While archaeology typically focuses on remains from human activity, certain geological and biological fields point to patterns many interpret as indicative of an intelligent Designer. 3.1 Geological Observations of Sudden Catastrophes Some geologic layers display signs of rapid burial and catastrophic events, an interpretation consistent with global or large-scale floods. Although debate exists around the extent and nature of these events, many point to the widespread distribution of sedimentary layers across continents as one potential confirmation of large-scale, sudden catastrophes described in Scripture (e.g., Genesis 6–9). 3.2 Biological Systems and Information Theory Modern scientific inquiries into the complexity of DNA and cellular systems highlight an intricate information structure. Proponents of Intelligent Design argue that such complex specified information indicates a purposeful Designer, echoing the biblical claim that “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). 4. New Testament References to God’s Works in History Though Psalm 28:5 predates the New Testament era, the remarkable works of God continue through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Early Christian writings connect back to the God of the Old Testament, affirming His continuous actions in human history. 4.1 The Pilate Stone Discovered in Caesarea Maritima (a coastal city in Israel), this inscription mentions Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect who governed Judea during the time of Jesus (Luke 3:1). The artifact places Pilate in the location and period recorded in the Gospels, supporting the historical and political context of the New Testament accounts. 4.2 The Caiaphas Ossuary An ornate burial box (ossuary) found near Jerusalem names Caiaphas, the high priest mentioned in the Gospels (Matthew 26:3; John 18:13). This find confirms the existence of the specific historical figure involved in the trial of Jesus. 4.3 Early Manuscript Evidence While not strictly “archaeological” in the sense of places or inscriptions, ancient manuscripts (including portions of the New Testament dating to the second century AD) confirm the preservation of biblical events soon after they took place. Texts like the Dead Sea Scrolls also corroborate the integrity of much of the Hebrew Bible’s content. 5. Significance of Archaeological Findings for Psalm 28:5 These discoveries, though often focused on specific events or persons, collectively reinforce the broader scriptural narrative about God’s interventions in space and time. They lend credence to the biblical portrayal of His might, judgment, and deliverance. Accordingly, when the psalmist laments that some people do not regard these “deeds” of the LORD, he underscores that tangible evidence has always existed—in events, monuments, inscriptions, and the ongoing record of Scripture. Psalm 28:5 thus stands as a reminder that these “works” are more than abstract theological claims. They are historically anchored acts, many of which leave traces in the form of artifacts and written records. 6. Practical Implications 1. Historical Validation: Archaeological and textual discoveries encourage a studied faith. When one reads of David’s encounter with enemies or Hezekiah’s tunnel projects, physical corroboration from steles, tunnels, and inscriptions enhances understanding of the biblical world. 2. Recognition of God’s Sovereignty: Observing how these materials align with biblical chronology points to the sovereignty of God throughout history, whether confounding invading armies or establishing His chosen leaders. 3. Call to Trust and Worship: For the believer, these findings bolster confidence that Scripture’s portrayal of God’s actions is grounded in reality. For the skeptic, the evidence challenges dismissals that label biblical events as purely mythical. 7. Conclusion Psalm 28:5 denounces those who overlook the LORD’s works. Archaeology, historical records, and the tangible remnants of Israel’s past provide substantial confirmation that the Bible’s portrayal of God’s actions in history is credible. From ancient inscriptions like the Moabite Stone and the Tel Dan Stele to the physical remains of cities, tunnels, and manuscripts, a wide array of evidence aligns with scriptural claims. These artifacts echo the psalm’s reminder that God’s works are neither intangible nor elusive, but rather displayed across the landscape of history. “Because they do not regard the deeds of the LORD or the work of His hands, He will tear them down and never rebuild them.” (Psalm 28:5) Far from being without witness, these works have left marks on earth’s stage, calling all generations to acknowledge the Creator who ordains history according to His purpose. |
    |