RR Psalm 35:28 Part 16
Shalom,
Psalm 35:28 Then my tongue will declare aloud Your justice and Your praises all day.
The Hebrew word is “Hagah” (Hey-Gimel-Hey). It is translated above as “declare aloud,” but the connotation is so much more than that.
Rabbi Trail: One of our principles (a “principle” by definition cannot be violated) is called the principle of first use. It means that any word used in Scripture must receive its meaning from the context of its first use. We can’t just grab meanings out of thin air after a word has been used in another way previously. Please note that I’m not suggesting this is what is being done in this instance. I’m simply reminding us that this principle exists. End RT.
Our Shoresh “Hagah” is first used in Joshua 1:8 This book of the Torah should not depart from your mouth—you are to meditate (V’Ha’gi’ta) on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will make your ways prosperous and then you will be successful.
The word, “Hagah,” therefore, means to meditate or ponder, which adds another dimension to “declare aloud.” The point is that it is necessary to think before you speak. Now, if I could only practice what I’m preaching.
Rabbi Trail: From the time I was very young, my mother would say, “Howard (Howard is my given first name. Michael is my middle name which I did not use until I graduated college. Long story.) your mouth is going to get you into trouble.” Now that I’m 73 years old and my mother is no longer here to defend herself, I would say she was correct. End RT.
The same word is also used in Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the Torah of Adonai, and on His Torah he meditates (Yeh’geh) day and night.
The important thing is that we always have something good to say concerning God and His lovingkindness toward us. As followers of Yeshua, this is one of our chief characteristics.
Psalm 71:23 My lips will shout for joy—when I sing praises to You—and my soul, which You have redeemed. 24 Also my tongue will tell of Your righteousness all day. For those who seek my hurt have been put to shame and confusion.
Yes, there is a difference between those who are for me and the Lord and those who are against me and the Lord. Nobody has ever made this clearer than Elijah, when he mocked and then slew the prophets of Ba’al.
1Kings 18:21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If Adonai is God, follow Him; but if Baal is, follow him.” But the people did not answer him, not even a word…. 27 Now when it was about noon, Elijah mocked them and said, “Shout louder! After all, he is a god! Maybe he’s deep in thought, or he’s relieving himself, or he’s off on a journey, or perhaps he’s asleep and must wake up!”… 36 Now it was at the time of offering up the evening sacrifice that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Adonai, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that You are God in Israel, that I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. 37 Answer me, Adonai, answer me, so that these people may know that You, Adonai, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.” 38 Then the fire of Adonai fell and consumed the burnt offering—and the wood, the stones and the dust—and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces, and they said, “Adonai, He is God! Adonai, He is God!”
I love that story. May we join Elijah in singing the praises of Adonai forever. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed17 Sep 202524th of Elul, 5785
De 30:1-6Hab 32 Ch 21Rev 6(Ac 14)
Psalm 35:28 Then my tongue will declare aloud Your justice and Your praises all day.
The Hebrew word is “Hagah” (Hey-Gimel-Hey). It is translated above as “declare aloud,” but the connotation is so much more than that.
Rabbi Trail: One of our principles (a “principle” by definition cannot be violated) is called the principle of first use. It means that any word used in Scripture must receive its meaning from the context of its first use. We can’t just grab meanings out of thin air after a word has been used in another way previously. Please note that I’m not suggesting this is what is being done in this instance. I’m simply reminding us that this principle exists. End RT.
Our Shoresh “Hagah” is first used in Joshua 1:8 This book of the Torah should not depart from your mouth—you are to meditate (V’Ha’gi’ta) on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will make your ways prosperous and then you will be successful.
The word, “Hagah,” therefore, means to meditate or ponder, which adds another dimension to “declare aloud.” The point is that it is necessary to think before you speak. Now, if I could only practice what I’m preaching.
Rabbi Trail: From the time I was very young, my mother would say, “Howard (Howard is my given first name. Michael is my middle name which I did not use until I graduated college. Long story.) your mouth is going to get you into trouble.” Now that I’m 73 years old and my mother is no longer here to defend herself, I would say she was correct. End RT.
The same word is also used in Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the Torah of Adonai, and on His Torah he meditates (Yeh’geh) day and night.
The important thing is that we always have something good to say concerning God and His lovingkindness toward us. As followers of Yeshua, this is one of our chief characteristics.
Psalm 71:23 My lips will shout for joy—when I sing praises to You—and my soul, which You have redeemed. 24 Also my tongue will tell of Your righteousness all day. For those who seek my hurt have been put to shame and confusion.
Yes, there is a difference between those who are for me and the Lord and those who are against me and the Lord. Nobody has ever made this clearer than Elijah, when he mocked and then slew the prophets of Ba’al.
1Kings 18:21 Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If Adonai is God, follow Him; but if Baal is, follow him.” But the people did not answer him, not even a word…. 27 Now when it was about noon, Elijah mocked them and said, “Shout louder! After all, he is a god! Maybe he’s deep in thought, or he’s relieving himself, or he’s off on a journey, or perhaps he’s asleep and must wake up!”… 36 Now it was at the time of offering up the evening sacrifice that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Adonai, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that You are God in Israel, that I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. 37 Answer me, Adonai, answer me, so that these people may know that You, Adonai, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.” 38 Then the fire of Adonai fell and consumed the burnt offering—and the wood, the stones and the dust—and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 When all the people saw it, they fell on their faces, and they said, “Adonai, He is God! Adonai, He is God!”
I love that story. May we join Elijah in singing the praises of Adonai forever. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed17 Sep 202524th of Elul, 5785
De 30:1-6Hab 32 Ch 21Rev 6(Ac 14)
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