What a fun Friday! A radio interview and book signing doubled the fun during my local launch of two new books. Between 10:15 and 10:45 yesterday (December 19), Patricia interviewed me on the local Christian radio station, KCWN 99.9. After that, I signed books during the station's Christmas open house until 1:00. I want to thank General … Continue reading Two new books launched
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
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
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
"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
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
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
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
Deadly tornadoes recently ripped through the Midwest, destroying towns and taking lives, leaving a distressing wake of devastation and despair. If you live in the Midwest, you know there is only one thing to do if a tornado threatens: take shelter. That is why most homes are constructed with a basement. When the tornado sirens wail, … Continue reading Our Hiding Place in Psalm 119, Samekh
Although the previous section of Psalm 119 contained two well-known verses, this section shines with the radiance of another well-known verse: Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (105, ESV). God's word is the lantern that illuminates our walk through this dark world. We must clutch his word … Continue reading The Lamp of Psalm 119, Nun
Glenda Faye Mathes 