RR Psalm 62:8 Part 4

(Early) Shabbat Shalom,

Psalm 62:8 On God, my salvation and my glory is the rock of my strength. My refuge is in God.

Let’s add the Hebrew… Psalm 62:8 On (Al) God (Elohim), my salvation (Yishi) and my glory (U’K’vodi) is the rock of my strength (Tzur-Uzi). My refuge (Mach’si) is in God (Bay’lohim).  Let’s start with the first word, “Al” (Ayin-Lamed).  This is the second part of Israel’s national airline “El-Al” meaning “God is onboard.”  Significantly, while “Al” routinely means “on,” as we have just seen from the previous example, that’s not the only interpretation.  

Special Note: When it comes to translations of Hebrew prepositions, many are interchangeable.  To tell the difference, one would have to be a student of Hebrew grammar and syntax, which is above my pay grade.  “Al” appears almost 6,000 times in the Hebrew Scriptures.    End SN.  

“Al” can also mean, (according to Strong’s), “above, about, over, according to, after, or even against,” among many other possibilities.  Here, in our subject verse, I might like the translation “concerning,” as in “concerning God.”  The poet is saying… “Let me tell you, concerning my God.  I really can’t say enough about Him, but if I have to use just a few words, here goes.  He is these five things to me: my salvation my glory, my rock, my strength, and my refuge. He is all that and more”

David is consistent.  He had the same “problem” as he turned the kingdom over to his son, Solomon.  1Chronicles 29:10 David blessed Adonai before the whole congregation saying, “Blessed are You, Adonai, God of Israel our father, from eternity to eternity! 11 Yours, Adonai, is the greatness, the power and the splendor, and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything in heaven and earth. Yours is the kingdom, Adonai and You are exalted above all. 12 Both riches and honor come from You. You rule over everything. In Your hand is power and might, in Your hand, to magnify and give strength to all. 13 Now, our God, we give you thanks and praise Your glorious Name.    

We too must fall all over ourselves in our vein attempt to express our thanksgiving toward God for all He has done.  Psalm 147:5  Great is our Lord and mighty in power—His understanding is infinite!  Or, as Buzz Lightyear says, “To infinity and beyond.”  That’s how much we love God.  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri28-Aug 202615th of Elul, 5786
De 28:7-29:1[28:69]Ob 12 Ch 12Heb 11:1-19  (Ac 7:1-29)