Because for You I have borne reproach, disgrace has covered my face. Psalm 69:8 [Hebrew Bible] Robert Alter Because for You – David makes an astounding claim, a claim that hardly seems accurate. He says that the damage to his reputation is due to his upholding God’s name. Has he forgotten his sins? How can…
Let not those who hope for You be shamed through me. Master, O LORD of Armies. Let those who seek You be not disgraced through me, God of Israel. Psalm 69:7 [Hebrew Bible] Robert Alter Through me – As we discovered yesterday, David’s concern is not about his own vindication. It is about the impact…
God, You know my folly, and my guilt is not hidden from You. Psalm 69:6 [Hebrew Bible] Robert Alter Not hidden – True confession. David admits his “folly.” God knows all about this ʾiwwelet. These are acts that display moral stupidity, not simply ignorance. This man actually knows what he is doing isn’t proper. He’s…
More numerous than the hairs of my head are my unprovoked foes. My destroyers grow strong, my lying foes. What I have not stolen should I then give back? Psalm 69:5 [Hebrew Bible] Robert Alter Give back – David knew his enemies, at least most of them. His poem is addressed to real, tangible foes,…
I am exhausted from my calling out. My throat is hoarse. My eyes fail from hoping for my God. Psalm 69:4 [Hebrew Bible] Robert Alter Eyes fail – In Hebrew the expression is כָּל֥וּ עֵינָ֑י (kalu enay). From our perspective, it seems a bit odd. We don’t hope with our eyes. For us, hope is…
Rescue me, God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I have sunk in the slime of the deep, and there is no place to stand. I have entered the watery depths, and the current has swept me away. Psalm 69:2-3 [Hebrew Bible] Robert Alter To stand – “Wade in the water” are…
Save me, O God, for the waters have threatened my life. Psalm 69:1 NASB 1995 Save – Seventeen years ago I wrote something about this verse. I’d like to correct some of that. Here’s the original with some corrections and comments (in red): Free Me, Jesus “and you shall call his name Jesus, for he…
Then he took up his discourse and said, “The declaration of Balaam the son of Beor, and the declaration of the man whose eye is opened; the declaration of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of [f]the Almighty, falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered, Numbers 24:3-4 NASB Is opened – Rabbi Shraga…
And what is the portion of God from above, or the inheritance of the Almighty from on high? Job 31:2 NASB Portion – Let’s continue with our discussion of the article on teshuvah from Chabad.org. “Teshuvah is therefore a spiritual repudiation of philosopher Will Durant’s statement: “We are what we repeatedly do.” Judaism teaches us otherwise. We…
And what is the portion of God from above, or the inheritance of the Almighty from on high? Job 31:2 NASB Portion – I recently received an insightful article from Chabad.org. It is worth reading so I am pasting it here. After you’ve read through it, I’ll have some comments. Repentance: Teshuvah (תשובה) Return to the…
