RR Psalm 31:25 Part 21
Rabbi’s Reflections - Thursday July 3, 2025
Shalom,
Special Announcement: Thursday, July 3rd at 8AM there will be a prayer gathering at the Old Courthouse in downtown Knoxville. All are invited to attend. Here is a link to more information.
https://www.pray4tn.us/?cid=960c7eda-409a-44dc-96e2-7a71163ba750
Psalms
Psalm 31:25(24) – Part 21
Psalm 31:25 Chazak! Let your heart take courage, all you who wait for Adonai.
Today we conclude our series on Psalm 31. This final verse is a summary admonition. It starts with a form of the well known phrase, “Chazak V’Amatz.” Deu 31:6a Chazak! Be courageous! (Be strong and courageous!) This is not just a call to bravery, but an exhortation to be determined in our resolve to be faithful to God’s call on our lives.
And there is something special about “all you who wait for Adonai” that might be missed in the English translation from the Hebrew. In Hebrew, the word is “Ha’M’Yachalim.” Let’s break it down. “Ha” means “the.” Like in English, it is more than just an article. Here it is a determiner. In English we might translate it “those who…,” while in the South we would say, “All y’all.” The “M” (Mem is the Hebrew letter) identifies what is usually a verb as a noun form. The “I-M” ending is plural.
This leaves us with the Shoresh, (The “root” or 3 letter basis for most Hebrew words. Hebrew is a highly structured language.) “Ya’chal” (Yud-Chet-Lamed) which is frequently translated as wait or waiting. But “Ya’chal” is more than just waiting, it is waiting with expectation. This then, becomes a very acceptable definition of hope. And in what do we place our hope? In God’s promises of course.
2Peter 1:4 Through these things He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, since you have escaped the corruption that evil desires have brought into the world.
Rabbi Trail: Thomas Paine, an American patriot during the Revolutionary War, wrote a pamphlet titled “The Crisis.” It was published on December 23, 1776 and has this for an opening sentence. “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Almost 249 years later, and only one day before July 4th, not that much has changed. We still need the anointing of God to be strong and courageous, though tried and tested, now more than ever, we must stand firm in faith. Galatians 5:1 For freedom, Messiah set us free—so stand firm, and do not be burdened by a yoke of slavery again. End RT.
Therefore; as we have seen, the Psalm concludes with an admonition to “Be courageous (firm in our resolve) as we hope (wait with expectation) for Adonai(YHVH) to fulfill all His promises.” The admonition is to leave the cares and concerns of this world behind. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. Go forth in victory. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu3-July 20257th of Tamuz, 5785
Nu 20:22-21:9Jer 50Ezr 92 Co 11 (Lk 8:1-25)
Shalom,
Special Announcement: Thursday, July 3rd at 8AM there will be a prayer gathering at the Old Courthouse in downtown Knoxville. All are invited to attend. Here is a link to more information.
https://www.pray4tn.us/?cid=960c7eda-409a-44dc-96e2-7a71163ba750
Psalms
Psalm 31:25(24) – Part 21
Psalm 31:25 Chazak! Let your heart take courage, all you who wait for Adonai.
Today we conclude our series on Psalm 31. This final verse is a summary admonition. It starts with a form of the well known phrase, “Chazak V’Amatz.” Deu 31:6a Chazak! Be courageous! (Be strong and courageous!) This is not just a call to bravery, but an exhortation to be determined in our resolve to be faithful to God’s call on our lives.
And there is something special about “all you who wait for Adonai” that might be missed in the English translation from the Hebrew. In Hebrew, the word is “Ha’M’Yachalim.” Let’s break it down. “Ha” means “the.” Like in English, it is more than just an article. Here it is a determiner. In English we might translate it “those who…,” while in the South we would say, “All y’all.” The “M” (Mem is the Hebrew letter) identifies what is usually a verb as a noun form. The “I-M” ending is plural.
This leaves us with the Shoresh, (The “root” or 3 letter basis for most Hebrew words. Hebrew is a highly structured language.) “Ya’chal” (Yud-Chet-Lamed) which is frequently translated as wait or waiting. But “Ya’chal” is more than just waiting, it is waiting with expectation. This then, becomes a very acceptable definition of hope. And in what do we place our hope? In God’s promises of course.
2Peter 1:4 Through these things He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, since you have escaped the corruption that evil desires have brought into the world.
Rabbi Trail: Thomas Paine, an American patriot during the Revolutionary War, wrote a pamphlet titled “The Crisis.” It was published on December 23, 1776 and has this for an opening sentence. “These are the times that try men’s souls.” Almost 249 years later, and only one day before July 4th, not that much has changed. We still need the anointing of God to be strong and courageous, though tried and tested, now more than ever, we must stand firm in faith. Galatians 5:1 For freedom, Messiah set us free—so stand firm, and do not be burdened by a yoke of slavery again. End RT.
Therefore; as we have seen, the Psalm concludes with an admonition to “Be courageous (firm in our resolve) as we hope (wait with expectation) for Adonai(YHVH) to fulfill all His promises.” The admonition is to leave the cares and concerns of this world behind. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. Go forth in victory. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Thu3-July 20257th of Tamuz, 5785
Nu 20:22-21:9Jer 50Ezr 92 Co 11 (Lk 8:1-25)
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