RR Psalm 36:4,5,6 Part 2

(Early) Shabbat Shalom,

Psalm 36:4(3) His mouth’s words are iniquity and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and do good. 5(4) Even on his bed he plans sin. He puts himself on a path that is no good, never refusing evil.” 6(5) Your love, Adonai, is in the heavens, Your faithfulness up to the skies.

The rabbi’s have a tradition, never end a reading on a sour note.  In line with that tradition, I have extended today’s reading to include verse 6.  This transition to praising God (and no longer highlighting the problems caused by His enemies) marks a change that will continue until the last two verses of the Psalm, where, once again, the demise of our mutual enemies is requested in prayer.

Rabbi Trail: Yesterday, I didn’t acknowledge the difference in the numbering of the verses between the Jewish Bible and every other non-Jewish Bible.  (We follow the Jewish numbering.)  The Jewish Bible treats the introduction, “Psalm 36:1 For the music director, of David the servant of Adonai.” as a verse unto itself.  The Christian Bible makes the next verse (verse 2) as the second part of verse 1.  Therefore; all the other verses are numbered one off.  End RT.

Smack-dab in the middle of our three verses today, we find this Hebrew phrase concerning the path of evildoers.  “Al Derech Lo-Tov,” meaning “on a way that is not good.”  But suddenly, there is a change of focus, off of those who have departed from wisdom and onto the Lord of heaven Who is full of grace (Chesed) and truth (Emunah).  This duality of “grace and truth” follows us throughout the Scriptures.  

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…. 17 Torah was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Yeshua the Messiah.

Rabbi Trail:  Have you ever noticed how most translations include a “but” in the middle of John 1:17?  Usually, it is in italics meaning it is not in the original manuscripts.  The lesson is not “Moses BUT Yeshua.”  Instead the lesson is “Moses AND Yeshua.”  Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Torah or the Prophets! I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. 18 Amen, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or serif shall ever pass away from the Torah until all things come to pass.”  Let me ask you, “Have all things come to pass yet?”  If not, then the Torah must still be effective.  

Alright, another question, “What does ‘fulfill’ mean?”  I propose it means, “to fill to the full.”  Yeshua came to “fill up” the Torah and the Prophets.  Isaiah 42:21 Adonai was pleased, for the sake of His righteousness, to make Torah great and glorious.  Or, as the KJV puts it… Isaiah 42:21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable.  End RT.

Yeshua said as much during His earthly ministry… John 14:6 Yeshua said to him, “I am the way (Derech), the truth (John 17:17b …Thy word is truth), and the (eternal) life! No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  

That is our faithful God, Whom we love!  Shabbat shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri19 Sep 202526th of Elul, 5785
De 30:11-14Sef 32 Ch 23Rev 8(Ac 16)

Rabbi H Michael Weiner

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