In the Shadows
Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the grasp of the wrongdoer and ruthless man, Psalm 71:4 NASB
Rescue me – Rescue is a very practical experience. It isn’t to be found in the next world. There is little point in waiting to die so that you can be saved. What is required is deliverance now while the enemies are circling for the kill. David knew the immediate necessity of palat. In fact, the verb palat is found most often in the Psalms. There it is a poetic expression of rescue or deliverance. You might have expected to find yasha’ (to save), but that verb is in the previous verse. Now that God has ordered salvation, something needs to change the current state of affairs. Today the hand of the wicked and the grasp of the wrongdoer are as close as my own fist. Today the ruthless man hides behind my own shadow. Today is the day of salvation!
The frequent parallel of palat is ‘azar. We know that word very well. It is the verbal form of ‘ezer, the helper, the deliverer, the rescuer. It is, of course, essential to the role of the woman as the ‘ezer kenegdo (Genesis 2:18 and the subject of my book Guardian Angel). God is the consummate ‘ezer, but just as salvation must come today if we are to be rescued from the enemies, so God places an ‘ezer in close proximity in order that we men will find help at hand. And, brother, do we need it! When David pleads for rescue, he does not rule out human intervention. After all, God directs the universe. He sends the prophet with words of warning and the shepherd with words of comfort. When did we decide that only God Himself has to show up to rearrange our worlds?
What is the enemy that pressed against David? First, it is the hand of the wicked. But this is poetry. The “hand” is a symbol of power, authority and dominion. Yes, it might be a real person, but most of our battles with wickedness seem to come from the power, authority and domination of our own yetzer ha’ra. In fact, it is my own hand that often trips me up. The power of grace is in conflict with the power of my will.
David’s poetry emphasizes this with the choice of kap (translated “grasp”). Kap is the palm of the hand in a particular position. It is turned upward so as to expose itself to receive. In other words, the gesture is not grasping but rather opening to wrongdoing. Instead of yad, the word for “hand” whether open or closed, David recognizes that the real issue here is what I open my hand to in order to receive. Are my hands lifted to Him in prayer in order to receive His righteousness, or are they open to the passions and pleasures of men and women in order to care for myself?
Last on David’s list is the “ruthless” man. The word is ‘ul (Ayin-Vav-Lamed). We might think ruthless describes someone without compassion, lacking in basic human decency. But that isn’t the meaning of this word. ‘ul is about deviation from the standard. We can be filled with passion, demonstrate altruism, advocate for noble causes and be good people while still deviating from the standard. How? By altering Torah to fit what we like.
“Lord, rescue me from the person I am in the shadows.”
Topical Index: rescue, palat, ‘azar, kap, hand, ‘ul, ruthless, Psalm 71:4
A-MEN!!!
I am struggling with the meanings of yetzer ha’ra and yetzer ha’tov and found in Skip’s audio series on Psalms a wonderful explanation. The audio has also helped me to understand to a greater degree this “Today’s Word”. May my will be in submission to YHWH’s Will. Maybe the reason yetzer ha’ra and yetzer ha’tov have been so hard for me to grasp is because my paradigm and self will have been stuck for so long. Any thoughts to further my understanding on yetzer ha’ra and yetzer ha’tov are appreciated.
Shalom Maureen, If I may- yetzer ha’tov and yetzer ha’ra bring us to Romans 7: 14-24, when Shaul said the good that I should do, I don’t, and vice versa.
“Man’s inclinations are therefore balanced between good [Yetzer Hatov] and evil [Yetzer Hara], and he is not compelled toward either of them. He has the power of choice and is able to choose either side knowingly and willingly…”
“The Yetzer Hara is an inclination to “stray,” but Man has the wherewithal to overcome it. The pull of the Yetzer Hara is the more powerful of the two inclinations, but is by no means impossible to conquer. ”
“Torah as an antidote. If you toil in Torah you will not be handed over into its hands…” – Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto
Hope that helps. Blessings in seeking!
Thank you Ester. Yes it helps!
“When did we decide that only God Himself has to show up to rearrange our worlds?” Good question! :- )
We learnt from Torah study on Isa 43:22, that walking with YHWH, requires some effort on our part- to act in obedience, celebrating Shabbat, Feasts and Torah, to offer up the best, not just from our hearts, to act justly, helping the needy, the widows, etc…
I was once teaching “religious studies” to kids in lower primary classes, those kids were so adorable. When we prayed/speaking with ABBA, I noticed some of them had hands raised with open palms. I asked where they learnt that from, they replied, from their parents. I applauded them, and they were thrilled.
The “ruthless”/ עוּל man is one who deviates from the standard… “By altering Torah to fit what we like.” עוּל / ul by Strong’s means a sucking child, which would mean immatured, not grounded in the Word, unable to separate truth from falsehood, thus deviate from the standard and ways of YHWH with no reverence nor honour to Him. That would also be wickedness.
“Lord, rescue me from the person I am in the shadows.” AMEIN!