Rabbi’s Reflections – Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Shalom,
Psalms
Psalm 25:20 – Part 24
Psalm 25:20 Guard my soul and deliver me. Let me not be ashamed, for I take refuge in You.
The verse begins in Hebrew, “Shamrah Nafshi V’Hatzi’lay’ni.” Meaning, “Stand guard over or watch over my soul, and bring me out or deliver me!” Brings to mind an oldie but a goodie by Paul Wilbur and Israel’s Hope from Psalm 121… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv2H2fJgKpg Yes, God is the Watchman Who never sleeps.
And His promise is deliverance for those who have come to the end of themselves. Psalm 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble. When I rescue you, you will honor Me.” For those unwilling to submit, God’s promise is somewhat different… Psalm 50:16a But to the wicked, God says:… 22 Now consider this, you who forget God. Or else I will tear you in pieces with no one to rescue you. So, let’s decide today. What will you have, (like ordering off the menu of heaven) deliverance or no deliverance.
This shouldn’t be a difficult decision, yet there are many who continue to be weighed in the balance of indecision. Although these words were spoken by the prophet, Daniel, to Belshazzar, they are applicable to all who refuse to submit to God. Daniel 5:27 TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting.
Then, in the second part of the verse, there is a plea that we would not be ashamed, because “I take refuge in You” (God). Is this supported by other Scriptures? Isaiah 50:7 For Adonai Elohim will help Me. Therefore I have not been disgraced. Therefore I set My face like flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed. Paul also quotes Isaiah 28:16… Romans 10:11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever trusts in Him will not be put to shame.”
To get the full context, here is the text of Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says Adonai Elohim: ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone, a firm foundation—whoever trusts will not flee in haste (be hasty). Yeshua also mentions this “Stone” quoting Psalm 118:22. Matthew 21:42 Yeshua said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures? ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this has become the chief cornerstone. This came from Adonai, and it is marvelous in our eyes.’”
I don’t want to end this without suggesting a reference to all of Psalm 91, which includes this… Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of Elyon, will abide in the shadow of Shaddai. 2 I will say of Adonai, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. 3a For He will rescue you. Trust God and be rescued. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue 11-Mar-2025 11th of Adar, 5785s
Ex 33:12-16 Isa 2 Pr 2 Ac 2 (Heb 8)