Rabbi’s Reflections – Monday, November 25, 2024
Shalom,
Psalms
Psalm 20:9(8),10(9) – Part 8
Psalm 20:9(8) They have collapsed and fallen, but we rise up and support each other. 10(9) Adonai, save the king! Answer us on the day we call!
With “Part 7” we came to the end of Psalm 20. However; let’s now repeat these last two verses, because there is more to say. The contrast is between “they,” who have “collapsed and fallen,” and our focus which is Psalm 20:9(8)b …but we rise up and support each other. The word translated “support each other” is from the Shoresh “Ode” (Ayin-Vav-Dalet). This is one of those universal words with many possible meanings.
It can mean “repetition,” such as “again,” or “until eternity,” such as “Va-Ed.”This time, it means “to stand as a witness, to testify or admonish.” The Hebrew structure is the intriguing “Hithpael” verb form, which is “reflexive.” “Reflexive” means the action (in this instance, standing as a witness) is being done among ourselves or to each other.
This goes to the heart of the matter. We choose our witnesses. Whom would you want to speak about your character? In the previous verse there are those who count on their own strength (those who fall) and those who count on the strength and name of the Lord (those who rise up). The question that remains is, “Who will testify for you, those who think they can save themselves or those who call on the Lord for salvation?”
Choose your friends wisely… Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with wise men is wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. “Wise men” put their trust in God. A “fool” trusts in himself. Not convinced?
Psalm 1:1 Happy (blessed) is the one who has not walked in the advice of the wicked, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of scoffers. 2 But his delight is in the Torah of Adonai, and on His Torah he meditates day and night. 3 He will be like a planted tree over streams of water, producing its fruit during its season. Its leaf never droops—but in all he does, he succeeds. And the Psalm ends… Psalm 1:6 For Adonai knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin. There, that should satisfy everyone and cause us to make wise choices. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/
Mon 25-Nov-2024 24th of Cheshvan, 5785
Ge 26:6-12 Jdg 9 Ps 35 Mt 25 (Ro 6)