RR Psalm 35:13 Part 8

(Early) Shabbat Shalom,

Psalm 35:13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth. I afflicted my soul with fasting, my prayer kept returning to my heart.

In our subject verse for today, David is lamenting his sad state of affairs, and at the same time prophesying over Yeshua, who will similarly (but even more severely) be rejected by those who once loved Him.  David had everyone taken from him.  He had to save his parents from King Saul by moving them to Moab (1Samuel 22:3,4).  He had his wife, Michal, taken from him.  He lost his best friend, Jonathan.  All of Saul’s officials had sought the recognition and favor of the beloved son-in-law of the king, and suddenly, none of them could even have contact with him or they would risk losing their lives.  Likewise, Yeshua…

Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief, One from whom people hide their faces. He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

Yet, this “man of sorrows,” like David, did not try to avoid His divine destiny.   Moments before His betrayal, Yeshua was praying… Luke 22:41 And He pulled back about a stone’s throw from them, got on His knees, and began to pray, 42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” 43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.

Psalm 35, verse 13 ends with the Hebrew phrase, “U’T’fi’la’ti Al-Chay’qi Ta’shuv,” meaning “and (as for) my prayer, (it) will return to my bosom.”  This is a cryptic reference to what happens so much of the time when we pray.  Part of the benefit is that we get to hear our own prayer.  God hears us, but very importantly, we hear ourselves too.  

Our words, spoken to God, encourage us.  The Psalmist is saying that, by fasting, to show God I can have victory over the urge to feed my hunger, our prayers fortify us, and our broken hearts are healed through God, Who returns our prayers to us with power.

Psalm 19:15(14) May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before You, Adonai, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri5-Sep-202512th of Elul, 5785
De 24:5-13Amos 8-92 Ch 11Heb 11:1-19 (Ac 6)

Rabbi H Michael Weiner

Recent

Archive

 2025

Categories

Tags