"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem," writes David in Psalm 122. "May they be secure who love you!" The phrase "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" used to make me think vaguely of Zionist desires for the restoration of Israel, but that was before I heard Rev. Mark Vander Hart's sermon "Pray from Love for … Continue reading Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, Psalm 122
I lift my eyes, Psalm 121
During the last few years, our church choir has twice sung in worship my all-time favorite song, Psalm 121. You can (and should!) listen to a marvelous audio recording of the song here. I love the song for its biblical truth and beauty. My help, indeed, comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. The … Continue reading I lift my eyes, Psalm 121
I am for peace, Psalm 120
Psalm 120 is the first of fifteen psalms identified as songs of "ascents" or "degrees." Interpretations regarding the meanings of those terms vary. A generally discounted Jewish tradition holds that the psalms were sung on each of the fifteen steps separating the women's court from the men's court in the Temple. Another view is that … Continue reading I am for peace, Psalm 120
The Truth of Psalm 119, Taw
The final letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Taw or Tav, represents the final section of Psalm 119. Looking closely at each section has generated a new appreciation for the longest psalm that has lifted it in my mind from the mundane to the sublime. Academy BJE states that Taw symbolizes perfection and "alludes to the three essential services of the … Continue reading The Truth of Psalm 119, Taw
The Shalom of Psalm 119, Shin
As I've worked my way through Psalm 119, I've been amazed how each section--although they all share many similarities--seems especially appropriate for that particular day. Some linguistic information from the Academy BJE website (which is the Board of Jewish Education for New South Wales) may be helpful. The site states that Shin represents divine powers since … Continue reading The Shalom of Psalm 119, Shin
Intelligent wickedness in Psalm 119, Resh
Every verse of this twentieth section of Psalm 119 begins with the Hebrew letter Resh, symbolizing "wickedness as well as higher conciousness" (BJE.org). Resh relates to the word rosh, which means "head" and is the source of intellect. Jewish oral tradition equates resh with rashah, a wicked person. This meaning fits with the section's content as it contrasts … Continue reading Intelligent wickedness in Psalm 119, Resh
The Night Cries of Psalm 119, Qoph
"With chronic pain, it's always three o'clock in the morning." That memorable line jumps off page 7 of Pain Patients: Traits and Treatments by Richard A. Sternbach. Time stands still during the dead night when suffering eclipses slumber. Darkness fills the mind as well as the room. Loneliness chokes the heart. Job, who epitomizes suffering in our collective consciousness, … Continue reading The Night Cries of Psalm 119, Qoph
The Zealous Humility of Psalm 119, Tsadhe
Does this letter of the Hebrew alphabet look a bit like a kneeling person with upraised arms? In my mind, that reflects the meaning of Tsadhe (or Tzade). Normally I visualize a kneeling person as bent over with clasped hands and a lowered head. A bowed posture indicates submitting in humility. But the righteous person represented in … Continue reading The Zealous Humility of Psalm 119, Tsadhe
The Open Mouth of Psalm 119, Pe
Looking at the letters of the Hebrew alphabet as I reflect on these sections of the acrostic Psalm 119 makes me long to learn Hebrew. I'm sure a Hebrew scholar could point out many connections that my language-deprived brain misses. Simply knowing the letter's definition opens new realms of meaning. The seventeenth letter of the … Continue reading The Open Mouth of Psalm 119, Pe
The Climax of Psalm 119, Ayin
Push comes to shove in the sixteenth section of Psalm 119, in which each verse in the original begins with the Hebrew letter Ayin. In our amble through Psalm 119, we've noted that nearly every verse contains a word that is synonymous for God's word, which is no surprise since the Psalm is well-known as … Continue reading The Climax of Psalm 119, Ayin
Glenda Faye Mathes 