RR Psalm 39:8,9(7,8) Part 4
Shalom,
Psalm 39:8 And now, my Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You. 9 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of a fool.
Rabbi Trail: In verse 8, King David asks the Lord a question. Then immediately, without waiting at all, (Although that is the question, “Why wait?”) he amplifies his original question. He waits because his hope (or rather, ‘expectation’) is in the Lord. Why do I prefer the translation of “Tochelet” to be “expectation” over the more often used, “hope?” In my mind, there is a difference.
Although they are similar (hope and expectation) there is such thing as a “pious hope.” This is something that, although held in anticipation, it is held in anticipation without much basis in reality. In my way of thinking, “expectation” has an increased sense of reality. I’m expecting the Lord to answer says more than I’m hoping the Lord will answer. This is semantical, but being semantical doesn’t render it meaningless.
This didn’t start out as a “Rabbi Trail,” but after I wrote it, it seems like such a rant that it must be labeled as a Rabbi Trail. End RT.
King David is clearly changing gears in Psalm 39 by using the first Hebrew word, “V’Atah,” meaning “And now.” “And now” what? David asks a question whose orientation is “what.” David asks, “Lord, for what am I waiting?” And immediately, instead of answering the “what” question, he answers with the “why question” So David answers himself, (because) “my hope (or expectation) is in You.”
This pattern, in which we ask and God answers, is found throughout the Scriptures. Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to Me, and I will answer you—I will tell you great and hidden things, which you do not know.” And John also wrote… 1John 5:14 Now this is the confidence we have before Him—that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have the requests we have asked from Him.
In verse 9 David goes on to ask for two things, deliverance from sin, and not to be looked down upon by even a fool. We need the Lord to free us from sin. So many proof texts come to mind here. Finally, after much deliberation, I settled on this one (it is a little long, but quite thorough)…. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 training us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live in a manner that is self-controlled and righteous and godly in the present age. 13 We wait for the blessed hope and appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua. 14 He gave Himself for us so that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and so that He might purify for Himself a chosen people, zealous for good deeds. 15 So communicate these things, and encourage and correct with complete authority. Let no one look down on you.
Please join me in prayer today, that we will take this call to righteousness in Messiah Yeshua seriously. Oh God in heaven, “redeem us from every lawless deed.” And in us, purify for Yourself “a chosen people, zealous for good deeds.” Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue18-Nov-202527th of Cheshvan, 5786
Ge 26:13-22Jdg 14-15Ps 38Mt 27:1-31(Ro 9)
Psalm 39:8 And now, my Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You. 9 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of a fool.
Rabbi Trail: In verse 8, King David asks the Lord a question. Then immediately, without waiting at all, (Although that is the question, “Why wait?”) he amplifies his original question. He waits because his hope (or rather, ‘expectation’) is in the Lord. Why do I prefer the translation of “Tochelet” to be “expectation” over the more often used, “hope?” In my mind, there is a difference.
Although they are similar (hope and expectation) there is such thing as a “pious hope.” This is something that, although held in anticipation, it is held in anticipation without much basis in reality. In my way of thinking, “expectation” has an increased sense of reality. I’m expecting the Lord to answer says more than I’m hoping the Lord will answer. This is semantical, but being semantical doesn’t render it meaningless.
This didn’t start out as a “Rabbi Trail,” but after I wrote it, it seems like such a rant that it must be labeled as a Rabbi Trail. End RT.
King David is clearly changing gears in Psalm 39 by using the first Hebrew word, “V’Atah,” meaning “And now.” “And now” what? David asks a question whose orientation is “what.” David asks, “Lord, for what am I waiting?” And immediately, instead of answering the “what” question, he answers with the “why question” So David answers himself, (because) “my hope (or expectation) is in You.”
This pattern, in which we ask and God answers, is found throughout the Scriptures. Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to Me, and I will answer you—I will tell you great and hidden things, which you do not know.” And John also wrote… 1John 5:14 Now this is the confidence we have before Him—that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have the requests we have asked from Him.
In verse 9 David goes on to ask for two things, deliverance from sin, and not to be looked down upon by even a fool. We need the Lord to free us from sin. So many proof texts come to mind here. Finally, after much deliberation, I settled on this one (it is a little long, but quite thorough)…. Titus 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 training us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live in a manner that is self-controlled and righteous and godly in the present age. 13 We wait for the blessed hope and appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua. 14 He gave Himself for us so that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and so that He might purify for Himself a chosen people, zealous for good deeds. 15 So communicate these things, and encourage and correct with complete authority. Let no one look down on you.
Please join me in prayer today, that we will take this call to righteousness in Messiah Yeshua seriously. Oh God in heaven, “redeem us from every lawless deed.” And in us, purify for Yourself “a chosen people, zealous for good deeds.” Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue18-Nov-202527th of Cheshvan, 5786
Ge 26:13-22Jdg 14-15Ps 38Mt 27:1-31(Ro 9)
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