Reciprocity

My youth’s offenses and my crimes recall not.  In your kindness, recall me—You; for the sake of Your goodness, O LORD.  Psalm 25:7  Robert Alter translation

Recall me—You – Offenses of our younger days.  Crimes we committed but did not get caught.  At the heart of every man is the ability to become a despot, a despoiler, a debaucher.  It’s only a matter of circumstance and the fear of reprisal that prevents each of us from exercising our most selfish desires.  Underneath it all, we like that idea that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.  Certainly David knew the truth about the heart of darkness, even as an older man.  I’m guessing that he isn’t the only one.

In the usual English translations we miss entirely that shocking Hebrew construction that David employs to spear our attention.  Zekor-li-ata’.  One jumbled word.  One verb with too many pronouns.  “Remember-to-me-you.”  Only one thing is on David’s mind.  Rescue!  And only One person can accomplish this.  YHWH!  And why will He do it?  Because He will remember “me-You.”  The fundamental element of hesed is connection.  Obligation on behalf of both parties.  Treaty, family, blood-tie, tribe, contract—there has to be something that ties one to the other.  “Remember the tie, O YHWH.  Remember it, or I am lost.  Remember that it is me—You.”

English standard translations completely miss the dynamic, passionate, ardent plea for reciprocity.  “According to Your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness” (ESV) completely glosses the emotional turbulence that cannot even speak in full sentences.  If Hannah’s agonizing speechless prayer is the epitome of communication with God, then David’s jumbled crash against the cliff of sin is the epitome of helplessness.  There is nothing he can do but focus on the inadequate verbal replacements of real “I-Thou” encounter.  All he has are battering ram pronouns against the walls of despair.  It is useless for God to remember me unless He remembers “me—You.”

David knows the catalog.  Hatta’, pesha, probably awon as well.  They are all there in Exodus 34:7.  And God applies nasa’ to them all (go take a look) as long as God remembers hesed.  As long as He is connected to me.  To you.

One day you and I will come to the wall.  There will be no place to go.  No exit.  No escape.  No excuses.  We will have to face the unspeakable consequences of our destructive choices.  We will have to look into the heart of darkness.  Then “me—You” will be all that matters.

Topical Index:  li-ata’, me—You, hesed, sin, remember, zakar, Psalm 25:7