Psalm 7 and "sleep[ing] in the dust"

I came across this interesting passage in Psalm 7 while studying a different topic.

Recently, I posted about "fear and darkness." The fundamental idea is that those who are unprepared for the day of judgment attempt in vain to hide within the creation. This is a deeply symbolic reference to the creation-covenant connection.  The earth was created for the specific purpose of serving as a barrier between mortal man and God and to give us space to be tested (see Abraham 3:24-25 and Alma 42:3-4).

While speaking to a group of wicked Nephites, Alma-2 phrases it like this:

14 For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence. (Alma 12)

It seems that the Nephites understood the consequences of violating their covenants on a deep level. See also Deuteronomy 28:15-50.

With that backdrop, notice the similar understanding on the part of the psalmist at offending God:

3 Lord my God, if I have done this
and there is guilt on my hands—
4 if I have repaid my ally with evil
or without cause have robbed my foe—
5 then let my enemy pursue and overtake me;
let him trample my life to the ground
and make me sleep in the dust. (Psalm 7, NIV)

Instead of trying in vain to hide in the dust, the psalmist understands that the consequence of violating the covenant is to be trampled into the ground and made to sleep in the dust. We're right back to that temple theme.

This also underscores the description of the Book of Mormon "as the voice of one crying from the dust" (see 2 Nephi 33:13). Moroni, as the final survivor of the Nephites, acknowledges this quite plainly in one of his farewells to us as readers. We are to strip ourselves of worldly vices (verse 28), and make and keep covenants with God (verse 29). By so doing, we can be "more wise than [the Nephites] have been":

28 Be wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God.
29 See that ye are not baptized unworthily; see that ye partake not of the sacrament of Christ unworthily; but see that ye do all things in worthiness, and do it in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God; and if ye do this, and endure to the end, ye will in nowise be cast out.
30 Behold, I speak unto you as though I spake from the dead; for I know that ye shall have my words.
31 Condemn me not because of mine imperfection, neither my father, because of his imperfection, neither them who have written before him; but rather give thanks unto God that he hath made manifest unto you our imperfections, that ye may learn to be more wise than we have been. (Mormon 9)

A closer look at possible "Psalm-language" in Alma 60:34

I've been taking a detailed look at the use of Psalm-language in the Book of Mormon. I've learned interesting things in the process.

In this post, we'll look at the curious example of Psalm 119 and Alma 60:34.  It isn't entirely clear whether or not this is a coincidence or intentional. In studying both passages, I've come to a firm conclusion.  I'll see if I can convince you to see it my way.

Here is a side-by-side comparison:

115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. (Psalm 119)

34 And now behold, I, Moroni, am constrained, according to the covenant which I have made to keep the commandments of my God; therefore I would that ye should adhere to the word of God, and send speedily unto me of your provisions and of your men, and also to Helaman. (Alma 60)

On the one hand you have a 6 word phrase that matches word for word.  On the other hand, the three most unique words in that phrase are "keep," "commandments," and "God."  Those are pretty common, and they naturally fit together. My first instinct was to dismiss this as a coincidence.

My opinion shifted when I looked at both verses in broader context.  I knew the context of Alma 60 already -- Moroni is writing an angry letter to Pahoran, accusing him of negligence and treason, and threatening to march his army to Zarahemla and take provisions by force unless Pahoran sends relief.

Psalm 119 is pretty unfamiliar to me, but as I looked at the context, I found a few interesting connections. Below is a side-by-side comparison of both passages, with some color coding to highlight what I believe are similar themes:

Psalm 119                                 Alma 60

113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.	29 Behold it is time, yea, the time is now at hand, that except ye do bestir yourselves in the defence of your country and your little ones, the sword of justice doth hang over you; yea, and it shall fall upon you and visit you even to your utter destruction.
114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.	30 Behold, I wait for assistance from you; and, except ye do administer unto our relief, behold, I come unto you, even in the land of Zarahemla, and smite you with the sword, insomuch that ye can have no more power to impede the progress of this people in the cause of our freedom.
115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.	31 For behold, the Lord will not suffer that ye shall live and wax strong in your iniquities to destroy his righteous people.
116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.	32 Behold, can you suppose that the Lord will spare you and come out in judgment against the Lamanites, when it is the tradition of their fathers that has caused their hatred, yea, and it has been redoubled by those who have dissented from us, while your iniquity is for the cause of your love of glory and the vain things of the world?
117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.	33 Ye know that ye do transgress the laws of God, and ye do know that ye do trample them under your feet. Behold, the Lord saith unto me: If those whom ye have appointed your governors do not repent of their sins and iniquities, ye shall go up to battle against them.
118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.	34 And now behold, I, Moroni, am constrained, according to the covenant which I have made to keep the commandments of my God; therefore I would that ye should adhere to the word of God, and send speedily unto me of your provisions and of your men, and also to Helaman.
119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.	35 And behold, if ye will not do this I come unto you speedily; for behold, God will not suffer that we should perish with hunger; therefore he will give unto us of your food, even if it must be by the sword. Now see that ye fulfil the word of God.
120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

From this side-by-side comparison, I see multiple poetic allusions to the same section of Psalm 119 with the 6-word phrase. A condemnation of vanity. An ominous reminder of the justice/judgements of God against the wicked. Moroni accuses Pahroan of "trampling" the laws of God and suggests he'll be trodden down by God as a result. Mormon hopes in God's word and twice reminds Pahoran to "adhere to" and "fulfil" the word of God.

Pahoran's Response

The details above are enough to convince me this was intentional. Reading Pahoran's measured response to Moroni's fire and brimstone makes it even clearer:

12 We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage if it were requisite with the justice of God, or if he should command us so to do.
13 But behold he doth not command us that we shall subject ourselves to our enemies, but that we should put our trust in him, and he will deliver us. (Alma 61)

Compare to three Psalms:

1 O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: (Psalm 7)

20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. (Psalm 25)

1 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. (Psalm 31)

Conclusion

Is this intentional?  In my mind, there is no doubt that both Moroni's accusation and Pahoran's meek reply contain clear references to the Psalms.

Psalms in the Book of Mormon, Mosiah - Alma 7

Note that several examples of Psalm-language in the Book of Alma have already been referenced in the earlier posts in this series.  It is clear to me that as a keeper of the Nephite records, Alma studied the small plates and when he made reference to the Psalms, he made sure to quote those passages that had already been quoted by Nephi and Jacob.  That's a remarkable detail and I'll dedicate an entire post to in the near future.

In this post, we'll review the next batch of examples of Psalm-language, from Mosiah through the first half of Alma.

Put my trust ... deliver

1 O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: (Psalm 7)

20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. (Psalm 25)

1 In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. (Psalm 31)

See also 1 Chronicles 5:20; Isaiah 57:13; Jeremiah 39:18.

33 But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage. (Mosiah 7)

See also Mosiah 29:20, Alma 36:27; 38:5; 61:13.

Son/s ... this day ... begotten you

7 I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. (Psalm 2)

7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters. (Mosiah 5)

At the right hand of God

1 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. (Psalm 110)

9 And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ. (Mosiah 5)

Break ... bands ... death

14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. (Psalm 107)

8 And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men (Mosiah 15)

King of all the earth

7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. (Psalm 47)

50 Yea, thus saith the Spirit: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand; yea, the Son of God cometh in his glory, in his might, majesty, power, and dominion. Yea, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, that the Spirit saith: Behold the glory of the King of all the earth; and also the King of heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of men. (Alma 5)

From this time forth and forever

2 Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. (Psalm 113)

See also Psalm 115:18; 121:8.

27 And now, may the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess, your women and your children, according to your faith and good works, from this time forth and forever. And thus I have spoken. Amen. (Alma 7)