Silent Night
For God alone my soul waits in silence, from Him comes my salvation. Psalm 62:1 ESV (English text)
Silence – “Silent night, holy night. All is calm. All is bright.” These familiar lines demonstrate the time when silence is good. But the Hebrew word dumiyyah can also be used in a negative sense. For example, it’s found in Psalm 22 as a cry that God’s silence is unbearable. Like a lot of Hebrew words, context determines how we understand the term.
It’s hard to know what context we should ascribe to this verse. Is David pleading with God and therefore the silence is a terrible thing to bear, or is David saying that waiting in silence is a good thing because it reveals God’s graciousness? We could read the verse either way. Perhaps that’s what makes it powerful. If today you are struggling to hear the voice of the Lord, then silence is terrifying. But if you are observing that your silence before Him validates His faithfulness, then silence is a good thing. You and I can read the poem according to our feelings. Silence is bi-polar.
I’m quite sure that Abraham experienced both movements of duma. Imagine the thrill of standing before God knowing you are accepted. Silent praise, thanksgiving and worship. But imagine the heartache of the silence that followed Abraham’s action with Hagar. Thirteen years without a word. dumiyyah includes agony and ecstasy.
What do we learn from this bi-polar word? Perhaps the lesson is this: silence in itself is neither a blessing nor a curse. It all depends on where we are at the moment. Today God’s silence may be the most burdensome load you could ever bear. You feel His absence as a tangible weight. You are crushed. But what can you do? Cry out? There is no answer from heaven. All that is left is the capitulating thought of the 22nd Psalm, “You are holy.” Under the weight of silence I learn that God is sovereign even in times when I neither see nor hear Him. His purposes are not transparent to me, but His character is. “You are holy” may be all that I can manage to say today.
And then there are days of praise so deep that no words can express the joy of His presence. David reveals this alternative over and over in his lyrics. Perhaps that’s why the psalms have such eternal value. When David dances for joy before the Lord, we are all transported into that place where our hearts overflow with thanksgiving. How wonderful to be alive with Him!
Dumiyyah cuts both ways for good reason. Life is not mountaintops. It is mountaintops and valleys. Ups and downs. But dumiyyah leads us toward God in both locations.
Topical Index: dumiyyah, in silence, agony, ecstasy, Psalm 62:1
It’s a privilege to know them both. When God is silent it does not mean He is not acting in our behalf. The book of Esther is the proof.
Looking back to a period like that I can see that He was there all the way, acting for me even when I could not see it.
That gives me even more reason to praise and worship Him.
~Be still and know that I AM God ~
~In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength..~
There are two words we have come to know (and love!) that are most assuredly ‘traveling companions’- those two words are “peace and quiet.”
We are currently living (temporarily for just one night) in a very nice hotel, on a journey to meet up with our extended family in two days. This hotel is clean, comfortable and quiet. We are “happy campers!”
Having worked in the wonderful world of construction for decades- I must say (am I one of the ‘rare ones’?) I absolutely love “Peace and quiet!” – I love quiet moments!- I (actually) enjoy silence! Am I strange to confess this?
I see noise as an intruder- unless it is welcome noise. Some sounds are “allowed”- some are rejected and some, – I view as “painful!”
Some menz love loud motorcycles- the louder the better!- I am not one of these. I want a quiet one. The same with a car. Give me a smooth and yes “quiet” ride- I love it!
Faith comes by hearing. Hearing involves (surprise!) our ears. How are you and I supposed to hold an intimate conversation with all this “distracting noise” in the background? (Yes, “Oy! or as we have just learned very recently (‘ak).
Silence is a discipline. Menz want to be “doing something!”- anything! “Give me an occupation or I shall run mad!” (is that the quote?). God says, “be still..” He says further.. “Peace, be still”. Selah- is another wonderful Bible word. Be still.. -and “selah!”
~How blessed is the one who does not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand in the pathway with sinners, or sit in the assembly of scoffers! But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night ~
Yes, not only “thinking”- but “doing!” For it is in the doing of His instructions we find life.
Now.. what did He say? If only I now knew SomeOne to bring to my remembrance all He has said unto me.
I hear the Savior say, “thy strength indeed is small!” “Child of weakness watch and pray, – find in Me thine “all in all!” Jesus paid it all..- “All” to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain- He washed it white as snow.
Is this “vain repetition?” as some might suggest? (or even “accuse!”) – or is this a glorious reality?
Redeemed! Redeemed! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb! Hallelujah! Jesus ransomed me!
~ How happy is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! ~ (Psalm 32.1)
Yes, “proclaim the gospel at all times and (only) when necessary- use words! Now.., “show me your faith!”
Being a drummer, I know noise!
But, oh, what sounds!
The orchestra! Be there 100 players or only 3, the harmony can
overwhelm the soul.
“Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their might,
with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines,
on cymbals, and with trumpets.” 1 CHRON 13:8
I also, thank God, know silence!
When you shut the door and pray to the Father in the secret place – – –
nothing sounds the same!
Hear that? It’s Him!
That’s beautiful, Rich.
I love orchestras, where every person knows WHEN he is to play the instrument he is skilled in, and stays
coordinated as one, to bring forth music so pleasant to the soul.
Just as when every member of our body is in harmony, and functioning in its purpose, we have our well being.
God hides himself just enough so that we have freedom of choice.If he wasn’t silent we would miss out on all kinds of oppertunitys to serve him.For this I am thankful.Would it be easier to be led out of our Egypt with Gods mighty hand or his Quiet voice?I know its not about easy,its about serving.
For God alone my soul waits in silence, from Him comes my salvation. Psalm 62:1 ESV (English text)
“My love she speaks like silence. Without ideals or violence. She doesn’t have to say she’s faithful. Yet she’s true, like ice, like fire.” (Bob Dylan)
Until the other day when I looked up this song, and since high school in the 60’s, I heard “Without ideals or violence” as “without ideal “surveillance” (my love is not paying enough attention to me)
Surveillance 1] is the monitoring of the behavior, activities, or other changing information, usually of people for the purpose of influencing, managing, directing,
I think a contiguous meaning of dumiyyah is waiting — but not a passive “don’t do anything just wait on the Lord” kind of waiting, but the kind of waiting that comes of trust and expectation that God and good are one.
When the soul is dumiyyah, it is not full of tumult and disorder. It (actively) stands with shalom in the silence of expectant waiting.
Thanks. Nice addition to the discussion.
When the soul is dumiyyah, it is not full of tumult and disorder. It (actively) stands with shalom in the silence of expectant waiting.
Hi Suzanne,
Strong’s Hebrew 17:47 associates dumiyyah with psalm 22, which brings to my mind Matt 27
Although as I recall from about seven years ago, Skips disagrees
Psalm 22:1 For the choir director; upon Aijeleth Hashshahar. A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?
Matt 27:46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli,[c] lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).[d]
I do not disagree that Yeshua said this, nor do I disagree that the Psalm implies active waiting. I disagree that this citation means God the Father abandoned the Son (as I have written about this verse).
Its just a fact that servants wait a lot.
Wait for a move of the hand of their master to beckon them, wait for a lift of the eyebrow that may mean come forward into the masters presence, a wave of his hand may mean clean all this up, another signal means dismissed for the present, he will call for you later.
Whatever. Faith in God is dropping your anchor in the deep water, you’re tethered.
Your anchor cast inside the foggy unknown –your future– is a forcible form of expression that describes the completeness of the psalmist’s refusal to complain–even under his breath–perfect submission and quiet faith. His whole being is one of great stillness, broken by no disturbing winds of worry; by no loud-voiced desires; by no pitiful, accusing whining, woe is me.
The psalmist has drawn back from the heat and noise of Babel and the busyness of a thousand ideas clashing in heated arguments, into the cool dim of the chapel, where the street noises are muffled, and he tunes his attention carefully, like a musical instrument, waiting for the breath of the Spirit to move perfectly across the chords.
That silence is first a silence of the will. Bridle impatience until God speaks. Take care that you do not run out ahead of God on any matter. Keep your will in equipoise until God’s hand gives the impulse and direction.
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine;
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
Is this connected with the verse in Ecclesiastes that says God is in heaven, you are on the earth, so let your words be few? Seems like a prayerful person is a person of few words and would practice silence sometimes.
Practicing silence is a great spiritual discipline.
Silence is the space between the busyness of life, husband, children, friends and activities, that gives us time to contemplate, meditate. A wonderful time to draw closer to ABBA YHWH, to relax, enjoy, in His Presence. It is to be cherished.
At times when we do not seem to hear from Him, we are reminded of the Footprints in the Sand,
where we asked, where are You? HE replied I am here all the time, beside you, carrying you. How marvellous is our ABBA to us! HE never forsakes us! HalleluYAH!
Silence. The most feared thing in any church I’ve ever been in. Every moment is scheduled and when there is a moment of silence the longest I’ve experienced has been around 15 seconds. Even when silent prayer was on the schedule, maybe 30 seconds were allotted. I know the brief introductions that I was able to speak before the cutoff, but what do others really pray in those moments?
However, there have been times when I have gathered together with other believers, prayed and experienced silence together that is full of comfort.
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“Silence” by Matisyahu
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXi9NwAcQSM
Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi V’hegyon libi l’fanecha, adonai tzuri v’go’ali
Yih’yu l’ratzon imrei fi V’hegyon libi l’fanecha, adonai tzuri v’go’ali
[translation: “Let it be your will that my words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart come before you, God my rock my redeemer”]
I will crush my fantasy,
bring me olive oil crushed for his majesty
to shine a warmth into eternity,
this is an eternal decree,
We’ll dance like flames for there’s no gravity,
for now I’m just a candle trying to stay lit in this windy night.
Got to crush my fantasies of how this life is supposed to be.
Crush my fantasy.
Bring my broken heart to an invisible king
with a hope one day you mightily and answer me,
so I pray don’t you abandon me.
Your silence kills me;
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Is it wrong to think you might speak to me?
You might speak,
would it be words and what would you say?
It’s so heavy a price to pay.
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This song by Matisyahu used to disturb me with the statement, “Your silence kills me; I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Poor guy–not hearing the Spirit, I thought. That was before I was really honest with myself.
It does kill. He does whatever will serve His purposes. Sometimes it’s surprisingly joyful. Other times crushing. Yet You are holy.
Romans 8:12-13. So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, [WHAT! I’m obligated? Almost sounds like Hesed] not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh (for if you live according to the flesh, you will die), but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live.
Since the advent of electricity there has become a huge disconnect between the world as God designed it and the way most people live in it. We stay in our air conditioned/heated spaces, we eat stuff that isn’t even food or nutritious (though it looks like it should be food) We stay up too late, get up to late, or don’t sleep enough. Gone is the time when you wandered outside at night to marvel at the stars or listened to the symphony that God has created for us in nature but is so often drowned out by electrical/mechanical things. Constant noise around us makes practicing silence difficult…is it not hard to find a place where there is silence? Is there more to silence than not talking or blocking out the noise of the world?