People (nation)
The Bible generally uses two different terms for large groups: “people” and “nations.” When it uses “nation,” it is talking about a group with the desire for good as its ultimate underlying motivation; when it uses the term “people” it is talking about a group whose deep motivation is to seek true ideas and concepts. As with all symbolism in the Bible, this can be also used in a negative sense, to describe groups with the lust for evil or those driven by false concepts. It can also be used in the abstract, with “nation” representing desires for good themselves and “people” representing true ideas themselves. In a way, these meanings make sense if we look at the two words themselves. “People” brings to mind a collection of individuals, and that is somewhat how it is with ideas -- you can have many of them that inter-relate, but also stand somewhat on their own, individually. “Nation” is a more unified term, reflecting the way that a desire for good tends to unify other feelings.
Psalms 64
1
Hear my voice, God, in my complaint. Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
2
Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the noisy crowd of the ones doing evil;
3
who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and aim their arrows, deadly words,
4
to shoot innocent men from ambushes. They shoot at him suddenly and fearlessly.
5
They encourage themselves in evil plans. They talk about laying snares secretly. They say, "Who will see them?"
6
They plot injustice, saying, "We have made a perfect plan!" Surely man's mind and heart are cunning.
7
But God will shoot at them. They will be suddenly struck down with an arrow.
8
Their own tongues shall ruin them. All who see them will shake their heads.
9
All mankind shall be afraid. They shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely ponder what he has done.
10
The righteous shall be glad in Yahweh, and shall take refuge in him. All the upright in heart shall praise him! For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. A song.
