RR Psalm 37:35,36 Part 22

Shalom {{firstName}},

Psalm 37:35 I have seen a wicked, ruthless man flourishing like a leafy tree in native soil. 36 But once he passed by, he was no more. Though I looked for him, he could not be found.

As previously discussed, this Psalm is an acrostic.  Basically, each second verse starts with the next letter of the Hebrew “Aleph-Bet.”  (Notwithstanding some changes made by the writers of the Septuagint.)  Today, our subject verses start with the “Resh.”  It is the first letter of the word “Ra’iti,” meaning “I have seen.”

Presuming our writer is King David,… (We can’t know for sure.  The Psalm simply begins “L’David,” meaning “to David,” but it could also be translated “for David” or “from David.”) what has David seen?  He has seen “Rasha” (Resh-Shin-Ayin), meaning “evil,” or as translated here, “a wicked (man),” who is then likened to a substantial tree spreading out.  

This “tree” reminds us of the dream King Nebuchadnezzar told to Daniel….  Daniel 4:8 The tree grew large and became strong and its top reached to heaven; it was visible to the ends of the earth. 9 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all. Beneath it the beasts of the field found shade and birds of the sky lived in its branches, and from it all creatures were fed.  

…which Daniel interpreted, and told the king that the tree represented his kingdom which will be cut down leaving a stump (taken from him)…. Daniel 4:22b “…until you know that the Most High is sovereign over the realm of mankind and gives it to whomever He wishes.”  The wicked may appear to thrive for a season, but ultimately, God is not mocked.  

Psalm 10:2 In pride the wicked hotly hunts the poor. Let them be caught in the plots they have planned. 3 For the wicked one boasts about his soul’s desire. The greedy one curses, reviling Adonai. 4 The wicked one, with his nose in the air, never seeks Him. All his thoughts are: “There is no God.”

According to our verse 36 today, the wicked will be lost (not found).  For those of us who know the Lord, we were lost, but now we are found.  Hallelujah!  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Mon27-Oct-20255th of Cheshvan, 5786
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