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Frequently Occurring
Biblical Quotations
In Reggae Songs
Characters of the Old Testament
There are many accounts in the Old Testament of faith
conquering adversity. Here are a few examples that we
could all benefit from taking to heart...
Joseph
cast into the pit
Genesis 37:23-28
Joseph
was hated by his envious brothers, who initially decided
to murder him, but instead cast him into a pit, before
dragging him out again, only to sell him on to Ishmaelite
slave-traders. Joseph soon found himself in prison,
scorned and far from home, but through God's help he
became very successful, even being put in charge "over
all the land of Egypt", where he saved
the people, including his own family, from starvation
during seven years of famine. Joseph was eventually
reunited with his brothers. ... See, for example, 'Redemption Song', by Bob Marley, the opening
lines of which retell Joseph's story.
Joshua
commands the Sun and Moon
Joshua 10:12-14
Joshua
prayed to God for extended time to finish a battle,
commanding, "Sun, stand thou still upon
Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon."
Thus the sun delayed in setting and the moon remained
visible throughout the day, and Joshua's army was
victorious. ... See, for example, the song 'Rastaman' by Bunny Wailer.
David
and Goliath
1 Samuel 17:32-50
Armed
only "with a sling and with a stone",
the small shepherd-boy David triumphed over the nine-foot
giant Goliath. David's faith in God served him well, for
he went on to become the King of Israel. ... See, for
example, 'Rastaman Live Up', by Bob Marley.
Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego
Daniel 3:14-28
Originally
named Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, these famous three
were renamed by the chief of the eunuchs in the
Babylonian court, and hence are better known by their
Babylonian names: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (see Daniel
1:7). They
angered King Nebuchadnezzar by refusing to bow down in
worship to the golden idol that he had created.
Therefore, they were thrown into the fiery furnace, but
God prevented his faithful servants from being harmed.
... See, for example, 'Miracle' by the Viceroys, 'Survival' by Bob Marley, 'La Bam Bam' by the Congos, and 'Murderer' by Buju Banton. ... By way of
comparison, you may also be interested to see how the
same story has been used in a Gospel song, 'Shadrach', performed by Louis Armstrong.
Daniel in the lions' den
Daniel 6:16-23
Daniel
was thrown into the lions' den for continuing to pray to
the one true God, despite being ordered only to pray to
King Darius. But an angel "shut the
lions' mouths", and Daniel was spared.
... See, for example, 'La Bam Bam' by The Congos.
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Frequently Occurring Biblical Quotations in Reggae Lyrics
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