RR Psalm 34:9 Part 7

Shalom,

Psalm 34:9 Taste and see how good Adonai is. Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.

Ah, the numbering of the verses. Who knows?  I’m going to stop because I’m driving myself crazy(er).  All I want to know is today is verse 9 in both the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible, and it begins with a “Tet” which is the 9th letter of the Aleph-Bet.  The beginning of verse 9 has internal rhyme.

Rabbi Trail:  Much of Hebrew has internal rhyme because the endings have to match (similar to the romantic languages).  Therefore; the words rhyme even when there is no intention to do so.  End RT.

Verse 9 starts with five Hebrew words… “Ta’amu U’R’ue,” meaning “taste and see” is how we begin today.  And what is the promised outcome of this sensory (tasting and seeing uses our senses) experience with the Lord?  “Ki Tov Adonai(YHVH), meaning “how good is the Lord.”  Yes, taste and see how good (is) the Lord!  And the verse concludes with four more words, “Ashre HaGever” meaning “happy (blessed) is the mighty man”… “Yechese Bo” meaning “who takes refuge in Him.”

So, where is the downside?  There isn’t any, not in this verse, or even in the entire Psalm (I checked).  Ashre is not just a feeling (“happy” doesn’t express what’s happening inside us when we “Ashre.”  We shout for joy, because we can’t contain ourselves.  “Ashre” is the first word of Psalm 84:5 Blessed are they who dwell in Your House—they are ever praising You. Selah!  

When we “Ashre,” we are blessed beyond all we could ask or imagine.  We are incapable of sitting quietly and acting as if nothing has changed.  We know God loves us perfectly and we must express our thanksgiving to the One Who delivered us from condemnation to freedom. John 8:36  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!  

Yes, we take refuge in God’s camp.  Psa 46:2  God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble…. 8 Adonai-Tzva’ot is with us. The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah!  Why pretend like this is nothing special.  

Lamentations 3:22 Because of the mercies of Adonai we will not be consumed, for His compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning! Great is Your faithfulness. 24 “Adonai is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” 25 Adonai is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him.  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue12-Aug 202518th of Av, 5785
De 9:4-29Ez 421 Ch 201 Ti 4 (Jn 8:31-59)

Rabbi H Michael Weiner

Recent

Archive

 2025

Categories

Tags