RR Psalm 38:20,21(19,20) Part 9
Rabbi’s Reflections - Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Shalom,
Psalm 38:20 My lively enemies are numerous. Many hate me wrongfully. 21 Those who repay evil for good oppose me because I pursue what is good.
Tomorrow we will finish this Psalm with the last two verses, but first, we have these two verses today. First, my enemies are wrong to hate me! But why are they wrong? Because “I pursue what is good.” This is not the first time King David has gone to this refrain.
Psalm 25:2 O my God, in You I trust, so I will not be ashamed, and my enemies will not gloat over me. 3 Surely no one who waits for You will be ashamed. But the treacherous without cause will be ashamed.
And it won’t be the last time either… (All of Psalm 71 really applies here, but I had to keep this short by selecting just a few of the verses.). Psalm 71:5 For You are my hope, Adonai my Lord—my trust from my youth…. 10 For my enemies speak against me. Those who watch for my soul conspire together,… 12 O God, be not far from me! My God, come quickly to help me.
Yes, we are commanded to trust in God, which is actually our call to a relationship with Him. All relationships are built upon trust which is synonymous with faithfulness. Of course, we trust God, which is our faith. After all, He is perfectly trustworthy. 2Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is trustworthy—and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
And at the same time, God wants to mature us so that we also are trustworthy. We must be faithful to Him. Of course we must quote from Hebrews, chapter 11 (the “faith” chapter). Hebrews 11:6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God. For the one who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
We put our trust in God, and He becomes our protector. Psalm 91:2 I will say of Adonai, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. 3 For He will rescue you from the hunter’s trap and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge. His faithfulness is body armor and shield. There we have it, a match made in heaven. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue11-Nov-202520th of Cheshvan, 5786
Ge 24:10-26Jdg 6Ps 32Mt 23(Ro 3)
Shalom,
Psalm 38:20 My lively enemies are numerous. Many hate me wrongfully. 21 Those who repay evil for good oppose me because I pursue what is good.
Tomorrow we will finish this Psalm with the last two verses, but first, we have these two verses today. First, my enemies are wrong to hate me! But why are they wrong? Because “I pursue what is good.” This is not the first time King David has gone to this refrain.
Psalm 25:2 O my God, in You I trust, so I will not be ashamed, and my enemies will not gloat over me. 3 Surely no one who waits for You will be ashamed. But the treacherous without cause will be ashamed.
And it won’t be the last time either… (All of Psalm 71 really applies here, but I had to keep this short by selecting just a few of the verses.). Psalm 71:5 For You are my hope, Adonai my Lord—my trust from my youth…. 10 For my enemies speak against me. Those who watch for my soul conspire together,… 12 O God, be not far from me! My God, come quickly to help me.
Yes, we are commanded to trust in God, which is actually our call to a relationship with Him. All relationships are built upon trust which is synonymous with faithfulness. Of course, we trust God, which is our faith. After all, He is perfectly trustworthy. 2Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is trustworthy—and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
And at the same time, God wants to mature us so that we also are trustworthy. We must be faithful to Him. Of course we must quote from Hebrews, chapter 11 (the “faith” chapter). Hebrews 11:6 Now without faith it is impossible to please God. For the one who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
We put our trust in God, and He becomes our protector. Psalm 91:2 I will say of Adonai, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. 3 For He will rescue you from the hunter’s trap and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge. His faithfulness is body armor and shield. There we have it, a match made in heaven. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue11-Nov-202520th of Cheshvan, 5786
Ge 24:10-26Jdg 6Ps 32Mt 23(Ro 3)
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