An Army of One

“I love You, O Lord, my strength.” Psalm 18:1 (English version) NASB 

Strength – The Hebrew word, hezqa, means “strength.” There is no argument about this nor is it unusual. But David often does something with words that make them different, and in this verse, he uses the root hezeq, the only place in Scripture where the noun appears in the masculine form. That makes sense, of course, because David is speaking about YHVH. But in the four other occurrences it is in the feminine form. Hebrew speakers would have noticed. We don’t.

David’s alteration is deliberate. But it raises an interesting question. Why is the usual form of this noun feminine? Could it be that “strength” in the Hebraic worldview is first an attribute of a woman, and secondarily that of a man? Could it be that the worldview that begins with the ‘ezer kenegdo and her unique covenantal relationship to YHVH[1] is the primary understanding of what it means to be strong? Could it be that compassion and mercy, the first two attributes declared by YHVH Himself in the encounter with Moses,[2] are the real characteristics of strength? Is it possible that all of our masculine emphasis on power is aimed in the wrong direction?

David’s alteration in the usual gender of the word arrests our reading. Once again we are forced to consider something unusual. First he uses the wrong verb for “love.” Now he prods us to reconsider our ideas about strength. Of course, YHVH is treated as masculine so the gender change fits the sentence. But the Hebrew reader would notice this difference and raise the question. What is real power?

I have often claimed that the theme of the ‘ezer kenegdo is found throughout Scripture. YHVH’s deliberate action demonstrated in the formation of the woman as the last of His creative efforts, with intentional connections to covenant, guidance, protection and intuitive spirituality, are fundamental to understanding the necessity of shared experience in the relationship between a husband and wife. Since Genesis 2 provides the very bottom line for transparency in human relationships, power in the human arena must be defined in terms of this story, not the story of Genesis 1. Genesis 1 is the story of a different kind of power, the power of hezeq, the masculine power of YHVH, a power that does not find expression in Genesis 2. We make a serious mistake to assume that the masculine power of Genesis 1 can be used by human beings. Our vision of power must come from the story of the ‘ezer kenegdo. Perhaps David is subtly reminding us that we aren’t God or even gods. We are creatures whose power depends entirely on cooperation, not decree.

Does David’s novelty help you adjust your assumptions?

Topical Index: power, strength, hezeq, hezqa, Psalm 18:1, Genesis 2:18-23, Exodus 34:6

[1] Cf. Genesis 2:18-23

[2] Exodus 34:6

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Dana

Skip I was just studying your previous words about the shema and your comment on the word for strength. So looking back at that, should we then see that loving God with all our strength should be about all the compassion that is within us?

Michael C

Now I’m wondering if this shift from what might be YHVH’s real strength as suggested here as compassion and mercy forms the basis of so much war between nations. Brute strength rather than compassion and mercy provides the incentive to destroy rather than unite.

I’m continually amazed at the box I’ve put myself in by limiting myself to a translation rather than an informed understanding of original languages wrapped in the history and cultural.

I think I need a do over. Start again. Pick a different path along THE path.
But then, I suppose, that is teshuva. Get back on the path. Proceed.

Dawn McL

Interesting thought about wars today. Islam certainly shows no mercy or compassion. They are all about brute strength. That alone shows they do not know Y-H. I wonder if Y-H is using them to get creations attention. They are certainly sweeping along thru many countries currently and only a very few seem alarmed at this.
Kinda puts me in mind of the barbarian hordes (I read of them in history) that roamed so long ago but the people had the sense to be terrified of them.
The world is changing, that is for sure.
There is a time for everything and Y-H’s people were (and could be again) great warriors in their day.

Patty S

It is good to be an ‘ezer kenegdo or at least working in that direction. Maybe you should write a book for men, especially younger men, about what it means to be a man from a Hebrew worldview! If you haven’t already done so.

Brian

Genesis 1 is YHWH’s domain: He speaks and it is so!

Genesis 2 is our model: One where we experience power through cooperation and not decree.

I really appreciate this insight. Certain segments of the body of Messiah would do well by studying and taking heed to this concept.

However on the other hand, if we are created in the image of YHWH, chapter 1 cannot be ignored. The TaNaKh has much to say about the POWER of the tongue, and the rabbis have much to say about the rascal, too.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue” . . . we can bless Yah or curse Yah . . . we can bless man or curse man. Oh, the power of the mighty tongue! It can create worlds or destroy them!

YHWH created with His word, and fashioned with His hands. YHWH is not afraid to speak or get His hands dirty! Should would be afraid to reflect and reimage this back to His world?

I believe if we begin to speak His words, and get our hands dirty in the world he has placed us, we will not succumb to the abuse of power you are referring to. Speaking represents the power and reflection of His words, and getting our hands dirty represents and reimages His actions in the world. Am I up to the task? Are we up to the task?

Brian

Should (would) “we” be afraid to reflect and reimage this back to His world?

YHWH is King!

carl roberts

What a Word!!

David’s Declaration

I love you O LORD, my strength.. (Psalm 18.1)

http://biblehub.com/hebrew/2388.htm

“You are the Source of my strength,
You are the Strength of my life,

I lift my hands in total praise to you.. (Andre Crouch)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCs

~ and where two or three are gathered together [assemble] in My Name, – I AM there in the midst of them.. ~ (Matthew 18.20)

Ester

“Could it be that “strength” in the Hebraic worldview is first an attribute of a woman, and secondarily that of a man?”
Yes! She is “not a cook, but a lioness” and a warrior, declares Frank Seekins.