Poetic Imagery

For the lead player, on jonath elem rehokim, a David michtam, when the Philistines seized him in Gath. Psalm 56:1 (Hebrew text translated R. Alter) jonath elem rehokim – In your English Bible, this verse probably isn’t numbered.  In addition, your Bible probably offers some phrase about a dove or murmurs to something at a…

The Secret Treasure

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. Psalm 56:3 NASB When – Are you afraid?  I am.  I have had a growing sense of fear for about a year now.  I am concerned that our civilization is rushing toward the brink at breakneck speed.  I look at my own financial circumstances. …

Three Times Only

And Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.” Acts 26:28 Christian – The disciples of our Lord never refer to themselves as Christians.  In fact, the Greek term christianos and its derivatives are only used three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28 and…

Changing Isaiah

“And in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, ‘You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; and you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;’” Matthew 13:14  NASB Will not understand/ will not perceive – “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). …

Alien Righteousness

“Though I wrote for him ten thousand precepts of My law, they are regarded as a strange thing.” Hosea 8:12  NASB Strange thing – Have you tried to explain your commitment to Torah to your friends and neighbors?  Do they ask why you don’t eat shrimp, why you don’t go to church on Sunday and…