RR Psalm 34:3 Part 2
Shalom,
Psalm 34:3 My soul boasts in Adonai. The humble ones hear of it and rejoice.
“Yish’m’u (from Shema) V’Yis’m’chu (from Sameach)” means “they will hear and they will rejoice.” This raises two questions, who are “they,” and what do they “hear?” The verses answers both questions for us. They (who hear and rejoice) are the humble ones, while what they hear is “my soul ‘Tit’ha’lel’ rejoices.” But it is an interesting choice of word form.
“Tit’ha’lel” is a “Hitpael” verb form which can be used (as it is here) to express an intensive type of action with a reflexive voice. So, this is no ordinary praise (as in Hallelujah), but intensive praise that is self generated (reflexive means something you are doing to yourself). It is like “slapping yourself silly.”
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance offers these possible meanings… 1. to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color - to be transparent) 2. to shine 3. (hence) to make a show, to boast 4. and thus to be (clamorously) foolish 5. to rave 6. causatively, to celebrate 7. also to stultify. (I had to look this one up… Stultify can mean to cause something to appear foolish or absurd.)
I found the last four definitions particularly useful in applying the use of “Tit’hallel” here in light of the opening verse. “Psalm 34:1a Of David, when he feigned insanity…” Now, in verse three we find “boastful souls” (those who are making themselves joyful to the point of delirium), ministering to “humble souls.” Yeshua taught His disciples… John 4:32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
Those who are humble are willing to deny themselves (especially of food, described as fasting). Are we going to make our own decisions, or will we “live and let God?” Among many possible definitions, the word “father” can mean “decider.” When we pray, “Matthew 6:9b “Our Father in heaven, sanctified be Your name,” we are putting God on the throne of our hearts and making Him our “decider,” in agreement with Yeshua… Matthew 16:24 Then Yeshua said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. And Paul, who wrote… 1Corinthians 4:10a We are fools for Messiah’s sake.
Yeshua blessed those who have denied themselves in various ways, however; they are all “blessed”… (Selections from Matthew 5, beginning in verse 3 and following) “Blessed are the poor in spirit… those who mourn… the meek… those who hunger and thirst for righteousness… the merciful… the pure in heart… the peacemakers… those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness… you, when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me.” And the conclusion is well worth the price of self sacrifice… Matthew 5:12a Rejoice and be glad, (even to the point of being ecstatic) for your reward in heaven is great! Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue5-Aug 202511th of Av, 5785
De 4:5-40Ez 361 Ch 142 Th 1 (Jn 4:31-54)
Psalm 34:3 My soul boasts in Adonai. The humble ones hear of it and rejoice.
“Yish’m’u (from Shema) V’Yis’m’chu (from Sameach)” means “they will hear and they will rejoice.” This raises two questions, who are “they,” and what do they “hear?” The verses answers both questions for us. They (who hear and rejoice) are the humble ones, while what they hear is “my soul ‘Tit’ha’lel’ rejoices.” But it is an interesting choice of word form.
“Tit’ha’lel” is a “Hitpael” verb form which can be used (as it is here) to express an intensive type of action with a reflexive voice. So, this is no ordinary praise (as in Hallelujah), but intensive praise that is self generated (reflexive means something you are doing to yourself). It is like “slapping yourself silly.”
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance offers these possible meanings… 1. to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color - to be transparent) 2. to shine 3. (hence) to make a show, to boast 4. and thus to be (clamorously) foolish 5. to rave 6. causatively, to celebrate 7. also to stultify. (I had to look this one up… Stultify can mean to cause something to appear foolish or absurd.)
I found the last four definitions particularly useful in applying the use of “Tit’hallel” here in light of the opening verse. “Psalm 34:1a Of David, when he feigned insanity…” Now, in verse three we find “boastful souls” (those who are making themselves joyful to the point of delirium), ministering to “humble souls.” Yeshua taught His disciples… John 4:32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
Those who are humble are willing to deny themselves (especially of food, described as fasting). Are we going to make our own decisions, or will we “live and let God?” Among many possible definitions, the word “father” can mean “decider.” When we pray, “Matthew 6:9b “Our Father in heaven, sanctified be Your name,” we are putting God on the throne of our hearts and making Him our “decider,” in agreement with Yeshua… Matthew 16:24 Then Yeshua said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. And Paul, who wrote… 1Corinthians 4:10a We are fools for Messiah’s sake.
Yeshua blessed those who have denied themselves in various ways, however; they are all “blessed”… (Selections from Matthew 5, beginning in verse 3 and following) “Blessed are the poor in spirit… those who mourn… the meek… those who hunger and thirst for righteousness… the merciful… the pure in heart… the peacemakers… those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness… you, when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me.” And the conclusion is well worth the price of self sacrifice… Matthew 5:12a Rejoice and be glad, (even to the point of being ecstatic) for your reward in heaven is great! Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue5-Aug 202511th of Av, 5785
De 4:5-40Ez 361 Ch 142 Th 1 (Jn 4:31-54)
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