The opening line of the song juxtaposes the master or conductor of the musicians and the servant of God. This implied contrast contains no rebuke, no moral judgement. It simply denotes that even the most eminent among those who sing God’s praises are but servants of their divine ruler. However, the contrast that follows, …
Song 35 is a wail more than a song, one rising out of the singer’s hurt and frustration at having been not only betrayed but vilified by the very friends he had supported and believed in. The idea inspiring the song is not difficult –the singer calls on God for support and rescue and asks, …
Continue reading ‘Literary analysis of Psalm 35 – All my bones say, ‘Adonai, who is like You?’’ »
The significance of numbers can never be over-rated. Did you ever stop to think how reality, in general, and your own life, in particular, would have looked like-without the use of… numbers? Any grand idea, whether in quality or quantity, would have been ever so limited if it weren’t for the safe confinement of those simple …
Song 34 is a praisesong that celebrates God Who offers shelter, not only to the holy ones but to the lowly and the broken-hearted. So that, while the song professes to be a means of teaching righteousness, it also emulates God by providing comfort. Though the 23 verses of the song divide easily into 2 …
Song 33 celebrates creation –the creative process, that is, worked by speech and eye; together comprising perception divinely inspired but possible to the human imagination. Appropriately, then, the song divides into 7 parts; though, interestingly, those parts involve different verses, depending upon whether the divisions are according to theme (to the qualities unique to divine …
Continue reading ‘Literary analysis of Psalm 33 “For He did speak and it came to be”’ »
Click here to read “Psalm Thirty-two – Translation of the Song” Composed for the purpose of instruction, Psalm 32 is moral teaching sounded in melody. The first verse declares its intention: the song is a maskil (מַשְׂכִּיל) –the exact meaning of the Hebrew has long been lost, but it is apparent that it refers …
Continue reading ‘literary analysis of Psalm 32 – Bliss of Teshuvah (Return / Repentance)’ »
Chanukah has become an almost world-wide known holiday of lights. Just before the Christmas tree is set- the Jews whisk out their menorah and hallelujah! Candles, gifts and Chanukah “carols” are embraced and celebrated all over English speaking countries (and o’, of course- Israel too…). What is the reason of celebration? Many answers have been given. I would …
Continue reading ‘A true miracle is made by us – Winter Shalom Magazine’ »
Click here to read “Psalm Thirty: Translation of the Song” Song 30 presents a puzzle in its opening verse: “a song for the dedication of the Temple” (v. 1). For the Temple was built not by David but by his son, Solomon. It would seem, then, that David composed the song for the Temple that …
Continue reading ‘Literary analysis of Psalm 30 – “You have turned my lament into dancing for me”’ »
Click here to read “Psalm Twenty-nine: Translation of the Song” Song 29 is a symphony of words: verses 1 to 9 compose a crescendo of sound; verses 10 and 11, a diminuendo rather than a resolution. Verse 1 is an exhortation to the “children of the strong” to acknowledge the “glory and strength” of Adonai. Certainly the …