RR Psalm 32:11 Part 12

Shalom,

Psalm 32:11 Be glad in Adonai and rejoice, you righteous, and shout for joy, all who are upright in heart.

Today we conclude our study on Psalm 32 with three happy thoughts, “Simchu, V’Gilu, V’Har’i’nu,” translated as “be glad, and rejoice, and shout for joy.”  These happy thoughts are commanded to those who are “in Adonai (BaYehovah), (are) righteous (Tzadikim), and (are) upright in heart (Yishre Lev).  It forms a beautiful ending to a Psalm labeled, “A contemplative Psalm” in the introduction.

“Simchu” is from the Shoresh “Samach” which is first used to command our joyous (week long) response to Sukkot in Leviticus 23:40 On the first day you are to take choice fruit of trees,… and rejoice before Adonai your God for seven days.  Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, it is used 270 times to indicate times of gladness.

“Gilu” is a word used far less frequently, almost exclusively in the Psalms and Proverbs.  The connotation is to be so glad that you’re dancing in circles.  Psalm 2:11 Serve Adonai with fear, and rejoice (Gilu) with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest He become angry, and you perish along your way—since His wrath may flare up suddenly. Happy (Ashre) is everyone taking refuge in Him!  Here, in Psalm 2, we are commanded to dance in circles, yet with fear and trembling at the same time.

And finally, “Harinu” from the Shoresh “Ranan,” which again is almost used exclusively in the Psalms (almost 50 times) to describe a corporate shout for joy when God intervenes.  Psalm 20:6 We will shout for joy in your victory and lift up our banners in the Name of our God! May Adonai fulfill all your petitions.  We should maintain an attitude of joyous gratitude over what the Lord has done for us.  Psalm 92:5 For You made me glad, Adonai, by Your deeds. I sing for joy at the works of Your hands.

The last two words of the Psalm are famous in Jewish culture and high holiday liturgy, being repeated throughout the Scriptures, especially in the Psalms.  As in our subject verse, “Yishre-Lev” is translated consistently as “upright in heart.”  God knows that if the heart is upright, everything else will follow.  

Psalm 97:11 Light is sown for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart. 12 Rejoice in Adonai, you righteous ones, and praise His holy Name.

Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Fri18-July 202522nd of Tamuz, 5785
Nu 28:16-29:11Ez 20Neh 13Eph 6 (Lk 18)

Rabbi H Michael Weiner

Recent

Archive

 2025

Categories

Tags