RR Psalm 34:23 Part 17
Shalom,
Psalms
Psalm 34:23(22) – Part 17
Psalm 34:23(22) Adonai redeems the soul of His servants—no one who takes refuge in Him will be held guilty.
In the RR for yesterday, we studied verse 22 (21 in the Christian Bible) which begins in Hebrew with the last letter of the “Aleph-Bet,” the “Tav.”
Rabbi Trail: Remember the Psalm is written in an acrostic, with each verse starting with the next letter of the Hebrew “Aleph-Bet.” They skipped the sixth letter, “Vav,” so this 23rd verse (22nd in Christian Bibles) is an add-on, summary, concluding verse, that actually starts with a “Peh.” That word is “Podeh” meaning “redemption price” or “ransom.”
The verse speaks of both redemption in the first part and “no condemnation” in the second part. The Hebrew word that is translated as “guilty,” is “Asham.” Could this be where we get our English word “Ashamed?” I doubt it, but there may be a connection.
Here in verse 23 we have the summary of Psalm 34 making the connection to redemption and innocence (not guilty from sin). Wait a minute… we’re reading Hebrew in the Hebrew Scriptures. With all this talk of redemption and “not guilty,” you would think we were reading New Testament. How do Jewish people, who pray this Psalm, think this will be accomplished for them?
The ancient rabbis decided that prayers would be an adequate sacrifice. Surely we can pray our way to salvation. Except God never offers that solution. Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your lives—for it is the blood that makes atonement because of the life. Prayer may be a sacrifice, but still, there is no blood in prayer.
Furthermore; the rabbis also teach that any sin at all equals total condemnation. So, if you ever sin by missing a required prayer, it is as if you never prayed at all. Adam and Eve started a problem in the Garden (called rebellion) that we can never solve (on our own) without divine help. Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of time came, God sent out His Son, born of a woman and born under law— 5 to free those under law, so we might receive adoption as sons.
Let’s pray… Thank You, Lord, for sending Your Son, Your only begotten Son, Yeshua. John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We looked upon His glory, the glory of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth. Yeshua is our provision for redemption, so that we would not be condemned through guilt. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue26-Aug 2025 2nd of Elul, 5785
De 18:1-5Hos 11-122 Ch 3Heb 2 (Jn 18)
Psalms
Psalm 34:23(22) – Part 17
Psalm 34:23(22) Adonai redeems the soul of His servants—no one who takes refuge in Him will be held guilty.
In the RR for yesterday, we studied verse 22 (21 in the Christian Bible) which begins in Hebrew with the last letter of the “Aleph-Bet,” the “Tav.”
Rabbi Trail: Remember the Psalm is written in an acrostic, with each verse starting with the next letter of the Hebrew “Aleph-Bet.” They skipped the sixth letter, “Vav,” so this 23rd verse (22nd in Christian Bibles) is an add-on, summary, concluding verse, that actually starts with a “Peh.” That word is “Podeh” meaning “redemption price” or “ransom.”
The verse speaks of both redemption in the first part and “no condemnation” in the second part. The Hebrew word that is translated as “guilty,” is “Asham.” Could this be where we get our English word “Ashamed?” I doubt it, but there may be a connection.
Here in verse 23 we have the summary of Psalm 34 making the connection to redemption and innocence (not guilty from sin). Wait a minute… we’re reading Hebrew in the Hebrew Scriptures. With all this talk of redemption and “not guilty,” you would think we were reading New Testament. How do Jewish people, who pray this Psalm, think this will be accomplished for them?
The ancient rabbis decided that prayers would be an adequate sacrifice. Surely we can pray our way to salvation. Except God never offers that solution. Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your lives—for it is the blood that makes atonement because of the life. Prayer may be a sacrifice, but still, there is no blood in prayer.
Furthermore; the rabbis also teach that any sin at all equals total condemnation. So, if you ever sin by missing a required prayer, it is as if you never prayed at all. Adam and Eve started a problem in the Garden (called rebellion) that we can never solve (on our own) without divine help. Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of time came, God sent out His Son, born of a woman and born under law— 5 to free those under law, so we might receive adoption as sons.
Let’s pray… Thank You, Lord, for sending Your Son, Your only begotten Son, Yeshua. John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We looked upon His glory, the glory of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth. Yeshua is our provision for redemption, so that we would not be condemned through guilt. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue26-Aug 2025 2nd of Elul, 5785
De 18:1-5Hos 11-122 Ch 3Heb 2 (Jn 18)
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