Onheil dat voorbijgaat. Psalm 91 en de (oudoosterse) bedreiging door demonen

Abstract

This study concerns the question how in biblical times people have dealt with the presence and reality of evil spirits and demons. In the modern western worldview the reality of evil spirits and demons seems to be something of the past. Science on the one hand deals with the natural world, which can be directly experienced. Religion on the other hand focuses on the ultimate questions of the origin, purpose and destiny of individuals, societies and the universe. The scientific worldview draws a sharp line between spirit and matter, between the natural world of human beings, animals, plants and the supernatural world of God, gods, angels, evil spirits and demons. However there is a growing doubt that this modern dualism can make sense out of life and an awareness that the dualism needs to be replaced by some form of holism that integrates the natural and the spiritual world. Mainly as a reaction against the dualistic worldvision, we see in our western culture a growing interest in the supernatural. Books, films and internet are full of super men, witches, magic, spirits and demons. The very presence of these ideas opens the door to the acceptance of their reality. White witchcraft, divination, palmistry, fortune-telling and astrology are gaining credibility and acceptance. Many bookshops now have set aside for the occult. From the Bible, especially the New Testament, it becomes clear that the contact with 'the other side' of spirits and demons often has serious negative consequences. In this investigation we analyse how in the time of the Old Testament is dealt with the reality of evil spirits and demons. It results that some texts of the Hebrew Scriptures, especially Psalm 91, areoften connected with demons. This psalm – or fragments of it – can be found on amulets and magical plates meant to protect people from evil spirits. These facts ask for an explanation: why is this psalm used? Is it because of the protection that the psalm profiles or is the threat the psalm presupposes perhaps a form of demonic doom? In this study we try to answer these questions. Analysis of literature from the countries that played a major part in the history of ancient Israel (Egypt, Canaan and Mesopotamia)shows clearly that they do not flinch from seeing demonic activity in sickness and doom. The same can be said for ancient Israel. The presence of amulets and apotropaic objects showsthat they also coped with the fear of evil and demonic doom in their everyday lives. Analysis of terms concerning threat in Psalm 91 shows that in many of these terms associations resound of sorcery and magic, incantations and curses, diseases and demonic threat. This explains why Psalm 91 has repeatedly been linked to the reality of demons. The psalm takes demonic threat serious, but points also to the power and faithfulness of JHWH. By means of current examples is indicated how a contextual interpretation of Psalm 91 can critically improve our present understanding of demons and demonic powers.