Teach me Your way, O YHWH, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. Psalm 27:11

Smooth Path – The idea of a smooth path doesn’t seem to present any problems, does it? We know what smooth paths ought to be. Even if I translate the Hebrew beorach mishor as “straight path” or “even way,” I’m pretty sure we are all thinking about an easy road. That’s what we want, isn’t it? A nice, comfortable, straight highway so we can avoid all the bumps, pot holes and detours in life. But something interesting happens when we look a little deeper. Maybe the “smooth path” isn’t quite so gentle after all.

The Hebrew word mishor has the basic meaning of evenness. It’s associated with straight, righteous, plain and safe. It comes from the verbal root yashar which means “to be right, to be level, to be upright.” Clearly, this root is connected to the idea of a life pleasing to God. The consonants are Yod-Shin-Resh. The pictograph combines two Hebrew images, Yod meaning “hand” or “deed” and Shin-Resh, the picture of a prince. So, this verb displays “the hand of the prince”, i.e. righteous deeds done properly and in order. To be straight is to always act correctly. Here, of course, the imagery is about moral order, not about correct facts or calculations.

Now let’s reconsider the imagery. Do morally correct decisions make life easier? Probably not. There’s a reason we have the aphorism, “Do the right thing and get punished.” The path of delighting in God might be smooth from God’s point of view, but it is quite often a pretty rocky road from the human point of view. We admire Sha’ul’s willingness to embrace the call of God on his life, but we would hardly consider the result a “smooth path.” We will need a complete shift in perspective if we are going to understand the biblical imagery of “smooth path.” A lot of the normal expectations about life here and now will have to be put aside if we are going to define beorach mishor in the same way the Bible does.

For example, we might have to let go of the persistent pursuit of personal comfort. We might have to really embrace the needs of others ahead of our own needs. We might have to re-evaluate luxury and see it for what it really is – an enormous temptation to have it our way.

We might have to shelve some of those dreams we have been nourishing for years. You know; the ones about protected living, ample finances and personal independence. Where do those images come from? From the biblical account of God’s redemptive work or the insurance and consumption advertisers? If relationships are the heart and soul of Scripture, do our lives reflect a passion for people or an avid desire for things?

There are other questions, of course, but the final filter might be simply this: Rocky Road may need to become your favorite flavor of ice cream.

Topical Index: yashar, beorach mishor, smooth path, prince, hand, righteous, Psalm 27:11