Click here to read “Psalm Four – Translation of the Song” On first reading, Psalm 4 seems disjointed, as though several melodies were being sung, one after the other. The one common chord throughout, however, is the constancy of the singer’s faith in God. Verse 2 begins with the singer’s plea to God …
“נָתַתָּה שִׂמְחָה בְלִבִּי מֵעֵת דְּגָנָם וְתִירוֹשָׁם רָבּוּ. בְּשָׁלוֹם יַחְדָּו אֶשְׁכְּבָה וְאִישָׁן כִּי אַתָּה יְהֹוָה לְבָדָד לָבֶטַח תּוֹשִׁיבֵנִי” “You gave joy into my heart from the time that their corn and their wine increased. In peace together, I would lie down and sleep, for You, O Lord, would make me dwell alone in safety.” What makes …
Continue reading ‘Psalm 4:8-9 Conscious of G-d’s constant presence’ »
“רַבִּים אֹמְרִים מִי יַרְאֵנוּ טוֹב נְסָה עָלֵינוּ אוֹר פָּנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה” “Many say, “Who will show us goodness?” Raise up over us the light of Your countenance, O Lord.” Many (most?) of the people ask G-d to show His goodness to them, so they will achieve as many desires they can have as possible. “I”, say David, …
“זִבְחוּ זִבְחֵי צֶדֶק וּבִטְחוּ אֶל יְהֹוָה” “Offer up sacrifices of righteousness and trust in the Lord.” “Sacrifices of righteousness” – Commandments of the Lord (Mitzvot), that are considered as offering up a sacrifice. So, follow his paths and fulfill His laws, even though sometimes involves with.. some self sacrifices. Trust Him, it worth it. Question: Doesn’t …
“רִגְזוּ וְאַל תֶּחֱטָאוּ אִמְרוּ בִלְבַבְכֶם עַל מִשְׁכַּבְכֶם וְדֹמּוּ סֶלָה” “Quake and do not sin; say in your heart on your bed and be forever silent.” A main ritual for the Buddah’s is the ‘meditation’. In a nut shell, by sitting and letting calmness overtake one’s self, the troubles and inconveniences of life are being observed …
Continue reading ‘Psalm 4:5 Self examination prevents the sin and brings peace’ »
“וּדְעוּ כִּי הִפְלָה יְהֹוָה חָסִיד לוֹ יְהֹוָה יִשְׁמַע בְּקָרְאִי אֵלָיו” “You shall know that the Lord has set apart the pious man for Himself; the Lord shall hear when I call out to Him.” Question: Was King David arrogance? Calling himself ‘pious’? Answer: It is not just a title: ‘I am a pious person’. David knows …
Continue reading ‘Psalm 4:4 Arrogance VS Definition, ‘Armed with righteousness’’ »
“בְּנֵי אִישׁ עַד מֶה כְבוֹדִי לִכְלִמָּה תֶּאֱהָבוּן רִיק תְּבַקְשׁוּ כָזָב סֶלָה” “Sons of man, how long will my honor be disgraced? [How long] will you love futility? [How long] will you constantly seek lies?” ‘Sons of man’ is a literal translation, in biblical Hebrew though, when someone is referred as ‘Ish’, it usually means an honorable …
Continue reading ‘Psalm 4:3 Honorable people who disgrace King David’ »
“בְּקָרְאִי עֲנֵנִי אֱלֹהֵי צִדְקִי בַּצָּר הִרְחַבְתָּ לִּי חָנֵּנִי וּשְׁמַע תְּפִלָּתִי” “When I call, answer me, O God of my righteousness; in my distress You have relieved me, be gracious to me and hearken to my prayer.” ..”A song of David..in my distress..” Again the question arises, what room is there for songs, when the time …
Continue reading ‘Psalm 4:2 King David’s life, is harmonious life, he can always sing’ »
“לַמְנַצֵּחַ בִּנְגִינוֹת מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד” “To the conductor with melodies, a song of David.” Unfortunately, King David himself wasn’t able to see or be part of the actual building of the Beth Mikdash (The Temple). As David says in his will to his son Solomon, in Chronicles 1 22:7-10 : “And David said to Solomon, “My son, as …
Continue reading ‘Psalm 4:1 King David prepares for the Temple, even the Levite songs’ »