Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Seder 132: Psalm 62---God Alone is our Refuge

 Psalm 62 has been designated a "psalm of confidence."  The psalmist describes God as his rock, fortress, salvation, and refuge.

He bases his assurance on two facts, expressed in verses 11-12.  The first is that "power belongs to God''---God is able.  The second is that God is loving and faithful to his covenant.  

Furthermore, God is the only one possessing these qualities.  The Hebrew word ak, which can mean "only", "surely," and "truly," appears five times in this psalm.  Knowing he has come to the only sure source of rescue, the psalmist resolves to wait patiently for God's deliverance.  

He contrasts God with human beings, who are unreliable and tend to be selfish, deceitful, and destructive (vv 3-4; 9-10).  People may appear to succeed through these qualities, but that apparent success is temporary and fleeting.  God will ultimately make things right (v 12), and he is the one to trust. 

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Seder 59: Isaiah 34-35---Renewal in the Wilderness

 The image of a wilderness or desert ( midbar in Hebrew) has multiple connotations in the Bible.  As a dry and desolate place, it can also ...