Primal Cry

My soul weeps because of grief; strengthen me according to Your word.  Psalm 119:28  NASB Weeps – The psalmist likes unusual words.  That’s stock and trade for poetry.  It makes the reader pay attention.  So, here he uses dālap, found in only two other places (Job 16:20 and Ecclesiastes 10:18).  The context tells us that once it…

Take Two Aspirin

For I am ready to fall, and my sorrow is continually before me.  For I admit my guilt; I am full of anxiety because of my sin.  Psalm 38:17-18  NASB Sorrow – What is “continually before” the psalmist?  If we thought he is experiencing “deep distress caused by loss, disappointment, or misfortune,” we would convert this ancient Hebrew into modern…

Not There Nowhere

He returned to his brothers and said, “The boy is not there; as for me, where am I to go?”  Genesis 37:30  NASB Not there – In this verse, the words “not there” are not there.  The translators have added an explanation to the text, implying that Reuben declares Joseph is no longer in the pit. …

Carry That Weight

For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes 1:18 NIV Grief – It’s the weight that hurts.  The deep sense of sadness.  Not just about the world’s mad dash toward destruction.  Not just the unspeakable evil perpetrated upon the voiceless masses.  Not just the moral inequity of economic and…

Divine Prohibition

For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes 1:18 NIV Grief – Stay stupid!  Is that the solution to the problem?  If Qohelet is right, wisdom and knowledge are the last things we would seek.  They only bring sorrow and grief.  Despite our disclaimers to the contrary, I’m pretty…

The Painful Truth

For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases suffering.  Ecclesiastes 1:18  ISR Much grief – Well, it’s certainly not what we expected!  The general consensus of our culture is that knowledge and wisdom lead to power and power leads to control and control leads to a prosperous life.  If this…