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 distance. That’s because no one really knows what this phrase means. Of course, David knew and so did the lead player, but the meaning has been lost over the centuries most likely because it is some idiomatic expression no longer employed. It’s like our term “bonfire,” a word which originally described fires set to burn corpses during the Black Plague of the Middle Ages. Think about the childhood song “Ring Around the Rosy” and remember the words to the song describe cremation during Europe’s greatest medical disaster. David isn’t writing about the Plague, but whatever he is saying, we no longer understand it.
Nevertheless, the imagery is intriguing. Literally, the words are “upon the silent dove far off.” Whatever the idiom meant, the image of a dove in the distance is evocative. Rabbinic thought often associates the dove with the people of Israel and this association could lead to understanding David’s metaphor as the silent cry of those in exile. If the rest of this introduction is historically correct, David himself might be symbolized as a dove longing to return to God’s land. No matter what the actual idiom, the picture of a dove seen at a distance elicits feelings of longing and the need for rest and security. That seems to be the setting of David’s cry in this mizmor (something sung in praise).
When we read Psalm 56 with this background, we come away with a different feeling. Now it isn’t simply about a cry for help in the face of enemies. Now it is the plaintive lament of a man far from home, abandoned and alone. Perhaps the best contemporary version of Psalm 56 is “Desperado” by the Eagles. When life’s circumstances cause us to wander far from safety, when we feel threatened at every turn, when we know we don’t belong here anymore, in the distance we see a sign of homecoming. We hear the song of return, silently floating on the wind. Some distant memory calls us to come back. “Return to me,” says the Lord, and in our struggles, in our disappointments and discouraged desperation, we remember those words. Perhaps we only heard the remembrance, but it is enough to stir our hearts. Sometimes the still, small voice isn’t even audible, but it is enough to remind us that we are homeless without Him.
There are days when I can just make out that dove in the distance. They are days of great loneliness – and longing. David and I sit together in a far off land, hoping that He hears our cry and is willing to bring us home. Soon.
Topical Index: jonath elem rehokim, dove, silent, Psalm 56:1
COME QUICKLY LORD JESUS… ♥
http://www.flickr.com/photos/flygirljc/sets/72157605566401621/
Thanks, Jan, for pointing us to this beautiful song, “My Beloved” by Kari Jobe.
I like this version too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hQRgyr5uko&feature=related
I remember Kari from children’s church in Texas in the 1980’s.
Here are 2 more songs that come to mind from this article. I am so blessed by the psalms: songs of praise, adoration, agony, despair–the full range of emotions. Praise YHWH that He allows us to pour out our hearts to Him!
“Return to Me” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ow_aWVqy3_k&feature=related
“Song for the Bride” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQC5P5kOAf0
The pictures are comforting. tY
The Dove in the Distance…-amein!!
As Yeshua was coming up out of the water, He saw heaven being torn open and the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Breath) descending on Him like a dove. (Mark 1.10)
Father-Son-Holy Breath. A Plurality in Unity. Three-in-ONE. I started to write Father,Son, and.. but then “I remembered”- (key phrase)- there are no commas, rather -dashes. In our Greek (compartmentalized) thinking we have commas, with each “section” being neatly dissected and stored away in it’s own convenient area. BTW, where do you work and where do you live? Ok.. you go in this “box” right here.. Neat and nice. Highly Organized. -But not so the Spirit- the Ruach HaKodesh, the mourning Dove.
Oh, now I’m writing about the Spirit. Things unseen and yet, oh so real. How may I know these things? Same as you, -“it is written.” And also.. “ask and you will receive.” -Have you asked?? Too simple? lol!
“You, dear children, are from G-d and have (already) overcome them, because the ONE who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” May I ask the question? -who are these “ones?” Which ONE is greater? Who does this refer to? A distant Dove?- “Draw near unto Elohim, (plural BTW) and He will draw near unto you” “You unfaithful wives! Don’t you know that loving the world is hating G-d? Whoever chooses to be the world’s friend makes himself G-d’s enemy! Or do you suppose the Scripture speaks in vain when it says that there is a Spirit in us which longs to envy? (James 4.4) Envy? G-d is jealous? Does He want, actually “desire” our faithfulness? our focused attention? (kavannah). Yes, He does.
“Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5.19) Why is this? Why every thought? Because, dear friend, “the thought is the father of the deed.” Before I bake a cake (I was going to rob a bank, but I repented- changed my mind), I think about what I’ll need and the procedure involved. Think it through..And… action!- In the oven it goes, set the timer and wait!– Yum!
But when the Father sends the Advocate as My representative—that is, the Ruach HaKodesh—He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. (John 14.26) -While this is still “fresh,” – Who is our “Advocate?” Who teaches and reminds us of everything the Master has said unto us? What are our instructions from the LORD?
(John 15:5) “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me – and I in him – bears much fruit, because apart from Me you can accomplish nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown out like a branch, and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and are burned up. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, -ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you. My Father is honored by this, that you bear much fruit and show that you are my disciples. But the fruit of the (Dove from Above) is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5.22,23)
“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of G-d and of Yeshua our ADONAI.” (2 Peter 1:2) Amein! -He is LORD!
looking back at the mysterious Miktam of David
when you rescued me from Death
to walk in the presence of God
in the light of the living.
Just as the dove is seen as “longing to return to God’s land,” for Noach to, it was a reminder of home.
Just as David felt oppressed by his enemies all ‘round, so too God’s escape for Noach, the ark was not yet home.
I think the point is that Noah and David, unlike the others who are doomed, feel safe 🙂
Me, too. Y