Word counts in the Psalms

I hope everyone had a good and blessed holiday.

I thougth this was interesting.

Word counts can be very misleading.
They are easily missued.
With this in mind...


iniquity
AV1873 62X
NASB 45X
ESV 34X
Holman CSB 3X
NET 0X

wrath
AV1873 29X
NASB 22X
ESV 34X
CSB 3X
NET 0X

transgression
AV1873 16X
NASB 14X
ESV 14X
CSB 6X
NET 0X

judgment
AV1873 29X
NASB 29X
ESV 27X
CSB 16X
NET 1X

Rob

 

Here are some more:

faith
AV1873 20X
NASB 32X
ESV 55X
Holman’s CSB 131X
NET 81X

love
AV1873 31X
NASB 45X
ESV 166X
CSB 169x
NET 143X

Rob

 

It's a common misconception that the God of the OT is one of wrath,
whereas the God of the NT is a God of love?

Perhaps the reason is a matter of translation.

Particularly in the Psalms, the AV/KJV uses the word “love” quite sparingly, frequently translating the Hebrew word as “mercy”.
The translators were quite reluctant to use the word “love”.

The Hebrew language is rich with words for love.
How many of us know the three Greek words for love.
Many I'm sure!
But how many know the more than 15 Hebrew words translated as love.

Each of these words have a wide semantic range and can be communicated in numerous ways.

Here's a few:

hased (found ~37X in the Psalms)

Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine.
Hosea 3:1 AV 1873

He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love [abib - translated as ‘goodness’ in the KJV] of the LORD.
Psalm 33:5 ESV


ahab (~120X in the Psalms)

And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
Exodus 34:6-7 AV 1873

Here's the same verse in the ESV:
The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”
Exodus 34:6-7 ESV

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1 ESV

ahabah [abab] (2x in Psalms [Ps 109:4,5])

He brought me to the banqueting house,
and his banner over me was love.
Song of Solomon 2:4 ESV

raham

I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.
Psalm 18:1 AV1873

yadid (2X in Psalms [Ps 45:1 [title] / Ps 89:1])

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD of hosts!
Psalm 84:1 ESV

How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!
Psalm 84:1 AV1873

Rob