RR - Psalm 30:9-11 Part 8
Shalom,
Psalms
Psalm 30:9-11(8-10) – Part 8
Psalm 30:9 To You, Adonai, I called, and to my Lord I made my plea: 10 “What gain is there in my blood, in my going down to the Pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth? 11 Hear, Adonai, and be gracious to me. Adonai, be my help.”
Rabbi Trail: As I write this, I am convicted how difficult these concepts are. The word choices in the Hebrew present challenges (which may be due to my limited abilities). For instance, the word for “gain” used in verse 10 is “Betzah”(Bet-Tzadi-Ayin), which is first used by Josephs brothers as a reason not to kill him, after they threw him in the pit. It represents dishonest gain (called “filthy lucre” in old English). Come to think of it, David is using several words here from the story of Joseph. I hope you see what I mean by “difficult.” End RT.
This “plea” by David is an appeal to the Lord for mercy. We must all make such an appeal. The Hebrew word translated as “plea” is “Etchanan,” with “Chen” at the heart of it. David Harwood is still writing an excellent series, which continues this Saturday, on “Chen”/“Karis”(Greek) which is grace. I highly recommend his writings (appearing in the Saturday RRs) on the subject.
In David’s plea for undeserved mercy, he is offering a reminder to God that if he were to die prematurely, his blessing of praise to God will cease, because “dust” does not praise God. Here again, the word choice is important. This “praise” is not the “Hallelujah” type of praise, but the “Yadah” (Yud-Dalet-Hey) offering of the open hand, from which we get “Todah” meaning “thanks.” Offering God thanksgiving is a type of praise for His undeserved favor.
Rabbi Trail: Actually, Psalm 100:4 uses both words. Psalm 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (T’hilah)! Praise (Hodu) Him, bless His Name. End RT.
David concludes his appeal to heaven with this phrase… Psalm 30:11b “Adonai(YHVH), be my help.” That’s a good place for us to end up. Let’s be done trying to help ourselves. We start our appeal “To You, Adonai, I call”… (and end up) “Adonai, be my help.” This is the life of faith. The humanists falsely believe that if we humans work hard enough, we the people will be able to solve their own problems. This ignores the fact that we ARE the problem.
Do you believe in circular reasoning? (Not wise.) It goes like this… “If I only had more of the problem, I wouldn’t have any problem at all. That kind of reasoning is the equivalent of “circling” the drain. Here’s the truth… Rely upon God, He will never fail. Frequently lately we have been ending up with Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Surely I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. However; today I want to close with this… Psalm 46:2(1b) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 3a(2a) Therefore we will not fear. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu5-June 20259th of Sivan, 5785
Day 47 of the Omer
Nu 5:1-10 Jer 20-21Job 401 Co 4 (Mk 7)
Psalms
Psalm 30:9-11(8-10) – Part 8
Psalm 30:9 To You, Adonai, I called, and to my Lord I made my plea: 10 “What gain is there in my blood, in my going down to the Pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth? 11 Hear, Adonai, and be gracious to me. Adonai, be my help.”
Rabbi Trail: As I write this, I am convicted how difficult these concepts are. The word choices in the Hebrew present challenges (which may be due to my limited abilities). For instance, the word for “gain” used in verse 10 is “Betzah”(Bet-Tzadi-Ayin), which is first used by Josephs brothers as a reason not to kill him, after they threw him in the pit. It represents dishonest gain (called “filthy lucre” in old English). Come to think of it, David is using several words here from the story of Joseph. I hope you see what I mean by “difficult.” End RT.
This “plea” by David is an appeal to the Lord for mercy. We must all make such an appeal. The Hebrew word translated as “plea” is “Etchanan,” with “Chen” at the heart of it. David Harwood is still writing an excellent series, which continues this Saturday, on “Chen”/“Karis”(Greek) which is grace. I highly recommend his writings (appearing in the Saturday RRs) on the subject.
In David’s plea for undeserved mercy, he is offering a reminder to God that if he were to die prematurely, his blessing of praise to God will cease, because “dust” does not praise God. Here again, the word choice is important. This “praise” is not the “Hallelujah” type of praise, but the “Yadah” (Yud-Dalet-Hey) offering of the open hand, from which we get “Todah” meaning “thanks.” Offering God thanksgiving is a type of praise for His undeserved favor.
Rabbi Trail: Actually, Psalm 100:4 uses both words. Psalm 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (T’hilah)! Praise (Hodu) Him, bless His Name. End RT.
David concludes his appeal to heaven with this phrase… Psalm 30:11b “Adonai(YHVH), be my help.” That’s a good place for us to end up. Let’s be done trying to help ourselves. We start our appeal “To You, Adonai, I call”… (and end up) “Adonai, be my help.” This is the life of faith. The humanists falsely believe that if we humans work hard enough, we the people will be able to solve their own problems. This ignores the fact that we ARE the problem.
Do you believe in circular reasoning? (Not wise.) It goes like this… “If I only had more of the problem, I wouldn’t have any problem at all. That kind of reasoning is the equivalent of “circling” the drain. Here’s the truth… Rely upon God, He will never fail. Frequently lately we have been ending up with Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Surely I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. However; today I want to close with this… Psalm 46:2(1b) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 3a(2a) Therefore we will not fear. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu5-June 20259th of Sivan, 5785
Day 47 of the Omer
Nu 5:1-10 Jer 20-21Job 401 Co 4 (Mk 7)
Recent
Archive
2025
May
RR Psalm 28:5 Part 5RR Psalm 28:6 Part 6RR Psalm 28:7a Part 7RR Psalm 28:7b Part 8RR Psalm 28:7c Part 9RR Psalm 28:7d Part 10RR Psalm 28:8 Part 11Rabbi’s Reflections - Saturday, May 10, 2025 by David HarwoodRR Psalm 28:9 Part 12RR Psalm 28:9 Part 13RR Psalm 28:9 Part 14RR Psalm 28:9 Part 15RR Psalm 29:1 Part 1RR Psalm 29:2 Part 2Favor From a Fooled Philistine By David HarwoodRR Psalm 29:3 Part 3RR Psalm 29:4 Part 4RR Psalm 29:5 Part 5RR Psalm 29:6 Part 6RR Psalm 29:7 Part 7RR Psalm 29:7 Part 7Favor/Grace in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings By David HarwoodRR Psalm 29:8 Part 8RR Psalm 29:10 Part 10RR Psalm 29:9 Part 9RR Psalm 29:11 Paert 11RR Psalm 30:1,2 Part 1RR Psalms 30:3 Part 2RR Psalm 30:4 Part 3Favor (Chen/Charis) in the Psalms By David HarwoodRR Psalm 30:5 Part 4