David’s Anatomy
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; . . Psalm 139:14
Wonderfully – Believers love this verse. It’s so majestic. It lifts the human being to such elevated heights. We are almost like angels. We are special. God made us.
But there’s a little problem. The words ki nora’ot nifleiyti don’t seem to mean what this traditional translation suggests. Alter writes, “Most interpreters understand nifleiyti as a variant spelling of niflei’ta, a verb whose root means ‘wonder’ and render it here as ‘wondrously made.’ But there is scant evidence that this verb can mean ‘wondrously made’ rather than simply ‘was wondrous.’ Spelled as it is with a heh and not an aleph, the verb means ‘to be set apart’ or ‘to be distinct.’”[1] Alter translates the text as “for awesomely I am set apart.” This shifts the meaning from a statement about God’s creation of all men to a statement about God’s choice to make David king. It is personal, not universal.
Of course, that doesn’t mean we aren’t marvelously engineered. Genesis makes it very clear that Man is uniquely created by God. But Alter’s point helps us adjust our filters. Even those translations that appeal to our sense of divine connection must be carefully examined. Maybe all that David is really saying is that he is special. The Hebrew language here seems to suggest a far more pedestrian meaning than translators have assumed. It makes you wonder how many other verses that appear to be about human nobility are really linguistic constructions shaped to fit a paradigm rather than careful transmission of the original meaning. Fortunately, there are scholars like Robert Alter who won’t let a word or two slide by.
Once again we are reminded that Scripture comes clothed in context. David doesn’t always speak for all human beings. His relationship with the Lord is personal and his songs of praise often come from his own personal experience and reflect his own personal circumstances. It’s not surprising that he would praise the Lord for being set apart as king. Whenever we are tempted to remove the verse from the life situation in which it was written, we should be on guard. Of course, there are principles and proclamations that stretch across time and culture. But there might be far fewer than we think. After all, Scripture is a story of God’s interactions with particular people, especially with men and women of Israel. We can draw conclusions from this story, but that doesn’t mean the story was written about us. One of the biggest hurdles in biblical interpretation is the latent idea that the Bible was written about me. If I am seduced by that claim, I will read the text for what it means to me, not what the author said about life when he wrote it.
Maybe this is a good place to pause and ask yourself, “How many of my treasured verses need to be re-examined? How many of those verses have I assumed were written as if I were the intended audience? What do those verses mean if I remove myself from the mix?”
Topical Index: interpretation, wonderfully, nifleiyti, distinct, set apart, Psalm 139:14
[1] Robert Alter, Psalms, p. 481
When I was growing up- I always wanted to be somebody. I just wish I would have been a little more specific…
“Remember- you are unique- just like everyone else.”
Adam, Abraham, Moses, Noah, David, Paul,Skip, Carl, you. Notice any difference here? Notice anything similar? Our Father appears to be a G-d of incredible diversity. I’ve somehow noticed, Baskin Robbins has more flavors than just vanilla- (though I have to say I wouldn’t refuse a bowl of vanila!).
Yeshua said, some may call Him Jesus- He knows who He is- (lol!)- “other sheep have I which are not of this fold.” Can you handle this? Are you able to take this in? G-d is a G-d of diversity. Yes? (or no..)
We Baptists (oh no.. everyone run!!) -I’ve gone and “tagged” myself. We Southern Baptists evangelicals- (dude, -I’m gettin’ ill).. believe..- (what does it matter?). Let’s be a little more “inclusive”-please. As the Evil Emperor said to the young apprentice- “I feel your anger!!” (rather exciting- isn’t it!!)-lol!
Just the facts ma’m.. -Not all “Baptists” are going to heaven. (shock, horror and dismay..) There will be “Catholics” in heaven. (Nooooooooooooo..) -Yes. And Presbyterians, Pentecostals, Plumbers, Pirates and Poets.. “other sheep have I which are not of this fold”. – Listen to this noise- “For G-d so loved the world.”
The world. Does that incude people in Serbia? What about Alaska? The Palestinian, -the Haitian, the Southern Baptist plumber with three children (been married twice?). The World.
Did G-d leave anyone out? Shall we continue with our list? -Okay. The Jew, the Gentile, (to the Jew first and also to the Greek (bad ol’ Greeks..), to males, to females, Barbarian, Scythian, prisoners, freemen. Christ died for sinners and all (is “all” a “universal” word?) have sinned. Any questions? Can someone please explain what “all” means? I need an interpreter here.
Wherever can I go? Who can I trust? Does G-d say what He means and mean what He says? Is G-d’s word reliable? or do I need to go look for a more reliable source? “Splain-it to me Lucy”.. (lol!!)
I got one better. -Cause me to doubt the reliability of G-d’s book. Cause me to question the authority of “it is written.” Did I just miss something here? or did G-d really say that?? Oh that’s right- “that was then and this is now”. G-d’s word is not for everyone- just “special” people in “certain situations”. Kind of like reading the story of someone else’s life. A bunch of interesting history of certain people “back in the day” who “messed up”, were restored to relationship with YHWH, then faded into the sunset with the rest of our Aunt’s sisters.
Why not just forget all that “read G-d’s word” stuff and watch the daytime “soap operas” or “reality shows”. – We hunger for relationship. We don’t want “religion.” It’s like eating a dry crust of bread. “Religion” leaves us thirsty. We need relationship. We want to “know” our G-d. Is this possible?
Has G-d revealed Himself in the pages of a book? Cover to cover- there is no doubt (at least in this man’s mind) – this is His-story. The Bible is our “Him-book.” – That’s right (RW..) “it’s not about me.” (I’m just a little cog on a great big wheel). “It’s not about me, -it’s not about you either bro,- it’s about Him- and it’s about time I read the book, meditate on it, marinate in it (thank you young lady..) and allow these words to flow into and out of my life to everyone I meet in my daily walk.
The Bible says.. (ooh.. a “bible-thumper”).. The word of G-d says.. (oooh, a “preacher boy”). -lol!!! These words remain– “think on these things”— (read my lips!!)- this is for you– “it is written.”
I have always imagined David standing in front of a mirror, his buff self, examining every angle and saying hey God gee thanks I am wondrously put together. No wonder David said this. Asking myself how can such a verse be personalized based on my assumption? Now I am comforted.
Does it say “set apart as king or is that assuming he is thinking that? I see that as simply meaning he realizes we are set apart for the Lord when we are his which is also varified in the New Testament in Ephesians.
You could be right.
I am also wondering why this is about being king. What if it is about being ‘set apart’ as a ‘man after G-d’s own heart’? (Someone who pursues G-d more than anyone else; someone who has been given an ‘extra measure’ of love for G-d; someone who recognizes the multitude of blessings G-d gives, in a very demonstrative way.) It seems that he is looking at G-d, recognizing His power, and submitting himself to Him.
Certainly could be. But it isn’t the way that we usually understand it, is it?
“I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; . .” Psalm 139:14
Hi all,
Please bear with me while I complain about my annoyance with this translation.
In this sentence, if I understand it correctly, David is speaking to God.
In plain English, it means: ” In the future, I will thank you for making me fearful and wonderful.”
Now I can imagine a woman talking to her hairdresser using this tone: “I want to thank you for this wonderful hair cut, I was so afraid it wasn’t going to look good.”
But I can’t imagine David, the “Warrior King” of Israel who as a teenager confronted the fiercest of enemies (Goliath) standing alone, using this tone of voice when speaking to the almighty God of Israel.
Seems to me that David would be saying something about how grateful he was for his wondrous relationship with such an awesome God.
Maybe David as a Shepherd-boy while tending to father’s sheep had a lot of time to think about this/that or the other thing and saw his Creator as LORD of the micro as well as the macro. LORD of the telescopic and the microscopic. LORD of all. To believe (just) the human eyeball “evolved” from primordial ooze takes a lot of “something.”
How would this apply to the Ezekiel chapters (such as 3 and 33) which seem to call watchmen to warn of God’s impending judgment where blatant sin is occurring?
We do sidewalk counseling in front of abortion clinics and there seems to be differing opinions as to our responsibility. Whether to pray silently (basicaly the Catholic approach) or attempt to speak truth in love and warn of God’s certain judgment (protestant approach). Any thoughts?
BHG,
beth goble
May G-d bless you Beth for “being there.” 90% of the battle is to “show up”. It’s kind of like going to the gymn- you gotta walk thru the doors.
What I am about to say is “opinion” only. I know in your heart, you would like to take your Bible and club “these people” on the head and say- “what’s wrong with you?”- why are you killing the gift G-d has given you?” “These people” tho, are the ones Jesus died for. (His blood was for us also!).
I would ask all reading these words to not discount- “secret, silent prayer.” “Allow” this mind which was in Christ Jesus to be in you. You (of course) are situated in the midst of tremendous spiritual warfare. When someone makes a decision to kill their offspring- it is no small potatoes. Allow your tears to flow. G-d hears tears. I know your heart is ripped open and there is intense pain within. Capture this pain and offer it unto G-d as praise. This is further confirmation of your “deliverance” and will draw you closer to the G-d who is.
Learn how to beg. Yes, beg. Intercessory prayer is intense. “Ask, and you will receive” – this is the will of G-d revealed within the word of G-d. “Ask”- intently. Learn to beg G-d. A beggar is in a humble position before a King. G-d hears and honors humility. Pray, pray and then pray. Ask G-d for stamina for yourself and for your prayer-partners. Ask (beg) G-d to “show up” – and to use you to minister His grace and healing to the ones who need Him in their lives. Ask G-d to wear you like a suit of clothes and to inhabit your habitation. “It is G-d who works in you- both to will and to do His good pleasure.”
There is no “pat answer” to this. This is a “G-d thing.” I apologize if this sounds flippant- and I assure you- it is not. Life and death are in the balance. A human life is about to be destroyed and G-d is all about life. It is not you- it’s Him. In this scenario- you are the messenger, G-d is the message, and prayer is the ministry. I hope this makes “sense”… “if we are willing.. G-d is able”. Thank you, Beth, for “being there.”
I agree with Carl. Begging G-d, and crying out (LOUD) to Him is sometimes what is called for. Would any of us have turned to Him if someone had not cried out for us? Unless He makes Himself known to them; unless He intervenes, nothing will change; we cannot do it without Him. It is our responsibility to continually cry out to Him for the ones who don’t know. It takes whatever it takes.
Thank you, Beth, for standing in the gap. G-d bless you for your faithfulness to your calling!
Thank you for the encouragement with God’s truth. It can be discouraging, since no approach appears exceedingly effective; but God does call us to obey and heed His call even if the fruit appears sparce.
The spiritual warfare is so fierce, everything you hear and speak sounds hollow and filled with folly. Those killing their children are angry and wicked when the Word is quoted to them but our compassion and sympathy seems to produce little softening either. The enemy is quick to identify all our efforts as vain and unsuccessful and a heaviness permeates and oppresses these properties. The numbers are staggering of supposed “Christians” killing their own with the blessing of their churches! Some carry bibles with them and claim their babies are now in heaven AND they will see them again someday.
Again, thanks for the encouragement and may God have mercy on our wickedness.
beth goble,
You certainly brought things down to current events. I was studying Ezekiel’s chapters 3 & 33, and asking the Lord for some sound wisdom , because my heart jumped when I read all three of your comments. During that time, CatholicVoteAction.org popped in while I was studying and praying. Huge massive pictures of a beautiful Contemporary Building for Planned Parenthood in Houston downtown area with a hospital for abortions.
Another forward from a different Chrisitan ministry also came in on the Health Bill being the foundation for this buidling, paid by our tax dollars. So with a broken heart for all these women and babies, and our nation, I have been calling out to God with my heart and mouth.
I have done nearly every type of Christian Women’s Ministry in my life of nearly 77 years, but God has never directily put be on the front lines where you are. I personally have spent more time helping, teaching, mentoring women that had their babies or had to have natural abortions when they actually wanted the baby. The grief from that is often very difficult, too.
I personally have thought prayer was the best thing to do, for by the time the woman comes to a clinic, she has already made her mind up. Words will not be heard.
Oswald Chambers’ devotional March 30th is so on target: “Holiness v. Hardness Towards God.
” And He—wondered that there was no intercessor. (no one to intervene on behalf of truth and right)” Isaiah Iix-(59)v. 16——-
– “Worship and intercession must go together, the one is impossible without the other. Intercession means that we rouse ourselves up to get the mind of Christ about the one for whom we pray. Too often instead of worshipping God; we construct statements as to how prayer works. Are we worshipping or are we in dispute with Godl—– —— —when we lose sight of God we become hard and dogmatic. We hurl our own petitions at God’s throne and dictate to Him as to what we wish Him to do. We do not worship God, nor do we seek to form the mind of Christ. If we are hard towards God, we will become hard towards other people.”
Same book, Chamber’s- March 31: If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and He shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. 1 John 5:16
” — — One of the subtlest burdens God ever puts on us as saints is this burden of discernment concerning other souls. He reveals things in order that we may take the burden of these souls before Him and form the mind of Christ about them, as we intercede on His line, God says He will give us “life for them that sin not unto death.”—( L.B. Oh, let us remember all these wonderful promises. Our 55 year old son, ever so often reminds me, we do what God shows us, but we are not responsible for the results, only God is the one through the Holy Spirit. )
Thank you for such wisdom. It is so easy to lose sight of Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith and as you reminded me, seek the mind of Christ for these lost.
There was a woman this morning who was returning for a second abortion (first 4 years ago). When asked the race of the abortionist she had 4 years ago, she couldn’t remember if he was black or white. She had completely blocked the experience from her mind. These women have consequences even if they are lost. By the sheer mercy of God, she did change her mind and allowed us to help her with the pregnancy. It seems the statistics might be one to two saves in a hundred.
You all are truly God’s angels sent to encourage the weary.
Dear Beth, and to all “The Saints” of the Heavenly Father”,
Please keep this group informed as to when you actually are in great need for your work, and I am sure many will pray with you. Just you opening yourself up on this, was a special reminder of the great need to “seek the mind of Christ” for these women./babies. ( sometimes even a man, we had one male neighbor in Houston, whose wife had an abortion, before he even knew she was pregnant. He was devastated, the marriage ended in a divorce. He later married a Catholic lady who wanted children and they have three grown beautiful girls, that are very well educated and into various ministries.—————————————————————————————————————————-
“Arise, shine—(arise from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you–rise to new life) Isaiah 60:1 Amplified Bible.——————
“Shine ( be radiant with the glory of the Lord) for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Zech 8:23 Amplified Bible
Let these verses be printed and put where you will see them regularly. Never mind who and where they were written, they are for all of us now! They give us hope, faith, joy and glory from the Lord! They, along with all of God’s Word, were written for ALL who will accept them.
Chambers himself, in “My Utmost for His Highest”, has much more on them, written for Feb. 16, 17, 18,19,20—- —- LaVaye/Ed– (my husband of 57plus years)
Wow, thanks for asking. They perform abortions EVERYDAY and do most late terms on Wednesdays. We would be so grateful if you would intercede for soft hearts and to have the mind of Christ as you so powerfully pointed out. I realized many times we do come with an agenda before God instead of seeking how to intercede for these lost souls.
Praise God for your willingness to lift us before the throne of grace.