The Revelation of the Name of God

 This morning, as I began to pray before the Lord, the Holy Spirit drew my attention to a phrase in Hebrew from the book of Genesis. In Hebrew, verse 3 reads: וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, יְהִי אוֹר; וַיְהִי-אוֹר    A transliteration of this verse is: Vai'yom'ehr Elo'Heem, "Ye'hi Ohr, Vai'Hee Ohr" or the English translation: And God said, "Let there be light and there was light."  The Name of God in Hebrew is spelled: יְהוָה which was erroneously translated into English as Jehovah. Although many scholars have tried to pronounce it, the correct translation was lost many centuries ago by the Jewish sages who were attempting to protect the usage of His holy Name. 

I have always wandered at the pronunciation, however, I do not feel that pronouncing it would have some magical effect. In the ancient Hebrew thinking, it wasn't how your name sounded that identified you, rather it was the meaning behind the name. The first man's name was Adam, which in the Hebrew meant from the ground or red - as the clay man was taken from was red. Noah's name meant rest, as he would bring a rest to the earth. Many years ago, I discover a phrase in Hebrew that is recorded in the book of Revelations. The verse is found in Revelation 1:8, Jesus speaking, "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending," saith the Lord, "which is, and was, and which is to come, the Almighty." which read in Hebrew is: ההוה והיה ויבוא  I have believed for years this was the meaning of the Name of God. 

However, the Holy Spirit made real to my spirit, this morning, that while this meaning has some reflection on the Name of God, the more accurate meaning comes from the very first words of God in creation: Let there be- and there was.  יְהִי - וַיְהִי   Then He took me through scriptures to show me how His Name is only an extension of His Word. His Word is a creative force. His Name is a reflection of Who He is - Creator.  By the Word of the LORD יְהוָה were the heavens made; and all the hosts of them by the breath of His mouth. Psalms 33:6.  The Apostle Paul, when writing to the Hebrews, enunciated this very clearly: Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the WORD of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Hebrews 11:3

 This is why Yeshua (Jesus) was the Word made flesh (John 1:14) and Who being the brightness of His glory, and the EXPRESS IMAGE OF His person, and upholding all things by the WORD of His power...(Hebrews 1:3) He could clearly declare, "I Am come in My Father's Name" (John 5:43) or later in John He said, "I and My Father are one" (John 10:30). This is why He could speak to the winds and waves and His Word calmed the storm or why He could declare, "Lazarus, come forth" and a man who had been dead and buried for 4 days would arise from His death and sit down and have a meal with Him. 

 But for those who have been truly born again, of His Spirit, as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the WORD was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:12-14 

This promise is for every believer who repents of their sins, is baptized in THE NAME of our Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38) and you will receive the divine life of God - the very Spirit that dwelt inside of Jesus. For He said, "It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh profits nothing: the WORDS that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63  He is the WORD and His WORDS are spirit and they are LIFE. 

Showing Himself through the Lattice on Passover

My beloved is like a buck or a young deer: 

behold he stands behind

our wall, he looks forth at the windows,

 showing himself through the lattice. 

Song of Solomon 2:9

Early in the month of March, I had decided to request off of work for Passover eve/day (April 15/16). During holy week, I had asked the Lord what He would have me to do – go to a seder (Jewish Passover meal), go out of town, host a Passover meal with my family, etc. I never felt a direct leading of the Spirit of the Lord, and have been wanting to go camping. I decided on Wednesday that that's probably what I would do. I talked with my sister who lives on a large rural property north of Indianapolis and she agreed that would be fine. So, on Friday, I headed up north, stopping on the way to get basic supplies for a small seder to commemorate the Lord's supper. It was a beautiful afternoon and I got my camp set up and shared in a small communion with my sister. I went to bed around 9pm and was awakened by a coyote pack yipping and barking in the close vicinity. I would have recorded it, except I fell back asleep to quickly because it was raining hard outside my tent.

I was awakened on Saturday morning by a variety of song birds chirping loudly in the woods. I could also distinguish about 3 or four different doves cooing to one another. After I got up and dressed, I decided to walk around the large field. When I was approaching the back corner where there is a small wooded area with tall grasses, suddenly two animals sprang to their feet and ran away from me into another nearby field. Just as they were clearing the trees, I realized it was two small coyotes, that had bedded down for the morning. It was only about a quarter of a mile from my campsite. While most people would have been alarmed, I felt God's presence and hand even in this.

When I arrived back to my campsite, I felt compelled to read the Song of Solomon. There is a verse that talks about the rain being over and the birds singing in the trees, also the voice of the dove being heard – so much of the experiences I had had that morning. The Jewish sages teach that the Song of Solomon is an allegory about the Israelites journey out of Egypt and through the wilderness. As a believer in the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus), I believe it is an allegory between the Bridegroom (Yeshua) and His Bride.

After packing up my camp late in the evening, while driving back home, I glanced over to see a doe standing beside a small creek that runs beside the road. I began to weep thinking about the references to the deer in the Song of Solomon. Then I was reminded of the psalm of David, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul after You, O God.” Psalm 42:1

The next morning, after praying, I read from my devotional that I have used for many years, now – Daily Light on the Daily Path. This is a morning and evening devotion that is simply Scriptures placed together by believers from 18^th century – Jonathan and Samuel Bagster. So oftentimes, the Lord has spoken directly to my situation and given me direction through this book. The morning devotion was certainly good, but I found my eyes looking down to the evening section. The headline read “Draw me, we will run after thee,” which is a line from SOS 1:4. I was ecstatic, but I decided not to get ahead of myself by reading the evening portion.

After work, on Sunday, I came home and watched the Sunday morning service of a church. The pastor was speaking from Song of Solomon 2:11-12, “For lo, the winter is passed, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the dove is heard in our land.” I could not wait until my evening prayer time. I opened my devotions and read the rest of my evening portion. THERE it was: Song of Solomon 2:10-13! I almost passed out in the floor from excitement. It was as if the Great Shepherd was showing Himself through the lattice. He was speaking to me over and over: “Arise my love, my fair one and come away!” SOS 2:10

I am sure there is much more He will unfold to me concerning this past weekend with Him, but I am so thankful for the glimpses that He gives us of His face.

PESACH: The Feast of Passover

"And when I see the blood, I will pass over you"

The Passover feast commemorates the exodus of the children of Israel from the land of Egypt and the passing over of the angel of death from the houses of Israel who applied the blood of a lamb to the doorposts of their house. The meal is set in an order by the Rabbis and has been this order for several thousand years. By the reading from the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Yeshua (Jesus) was commemorating the Passover meal much the same as Jewish people do in there homes every year. The order of the service is read from the HaGadah (HA-g'DAH or also pronounced H'GAH'dah) which means “The Telling”. It tells the story of the exodus from Egypt by symbols.

There is a Seder plate which has a place for a lamb (shank bone) – the Passover sacrifice, an egg – the festival sacrifice, bitter herbs – “caused to serve with rigor” , green vegetable, Charoset (sweet salad of nuts, raisins, apples, wine and cinnamon) – because of it's similarity to the mortar used in ancient Egypt. 

A Seder in my "Upper Room"

When Yeshua celebrated the Passover with his disciples, it didn't look anything like the Leonardo de Vinci painting, where they are seated on chairs around a modern table. Rather, it was, most likely, a table that was U-shaped, called a Triclinium by the Romans and Greeks of His time.  There was a designated arrangement as to who sat where. The master of ceremony would be seated on the left side, probably the second seat in. The guest of honor would be seated to his right and then around the table was the other guests. The one seated at the last position on the right side (across from the master of ceremony was probably the servant's seat or lowest seat of honor). Based on the reading from John 13, we can make an educated guess as to who sat where.  

Taken from The World of the Bible Gardens Ein Karem, Jerusalem

by Jim Fleming & Biblical Resources

Artist Unknown

Even though John's Gospel did not call the Last Supper a Passover Meal, it was remembered as a reclining meal (the beloved disciple reclined against Jesus' chest to ask him who the betrayer was). Knowing the Roman custom of reclining on one's left elbow would cause readers to associate John with position #2. The host customarily shared his bowl with the guest of honor. That Jesus shared his bowl with Judas, place Judas in position #3. No wonder John says, "it was night" when the betrayer left having had Jesus reclining close to his chest all night. That Peter had to signal the beloved disciple (John) to inquire about the betrayer, indicates Peter was not seated near Jesus. Because Peter was the only disciple at first to refuse to let Jesus wash his feet, he may have been pictured reclining at position (#4), normally assigned to the one expected to wash the feet of the other guests.

Upper room seder my house

Now the Seder or Order which Yeshua and His disciples followed was not as elaborate as is the Seder used in traditional Judaism, today.  It was compiled less than a century later. But many elements were the same as today.  The Lamb, the bitter herbs, and the Matzo were a must.  However, just a few decades before, the Rabbis had included the Charoset and at some point before had included the four cups of wine. We know that Yeshua probably drank the four cups of wine that were used, as Luke indicates the first cup before supper and likewise the cup after supper... Luke 22:20.  The four cups of wine are linked to a passage in Exodus 6:6-7 "Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I AM the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will free you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a outstretched arm, and with great judgments: and I will take you to me for a people, and I will be a God" 

 The first cup of wine is called Kadesh, which means sanctification (called out, separated). The second cup is the cup of the ten plagues. The third cup of wine is the cup of Redemption. This cup comes after the supper. Luke indicates it was this cup Yeshua was drinking when He declared, "This cup is the New Covenant  in my blood, which is shed for you." Luke 22:20  Finally, the last cup of wine is called the Hallel, which means praise. It is, in fact, the Hebrew root word for Hallelujah. The tradition of singing Psalm 113-118 is customary. We find, in Matthew 26:30 & Mark 14:26, "And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives." This may well have been referring to Psalms 113-118 or even to 136 which is also read on Passover.

The most essential element of the Passover is not the cups of wine, rather it is unleavened bread (Matzah in Hebrew). It is made without yeast or any component that will cause the bread to rise. Therefore it is flat and dry like an American cracker or European biscuit. Matzah is pierced many times over to cook the bread even faster and not allowing any rising to occur. How well this brings to mind the prophecy of Zechariah 12:10, They shall look upon Me whom they have pierced..." 

[In the modern Seder three pieces of of matzah are placed in a three-part cloth bag called a matzah tash . Early in the service the middle piece of matzah is broken. Half is divided into large enough pieces for everyone at the table and eaten. The other half, called the afikoman, is hidden, to be found by children later and eaten by everyone as the last food of the meal. While in modern Judaism the three matzot (Plural for matzah in Hebrew) are taken as representing Priests, Levites and Israel, many scholars believe this ritual was added to the Seder service by Messianic Jews, (Jewish believers in Jesus) for whom the three matzot represent Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The second matzah - representing the Son, who called Himself the "bread of life" John 4:41;48) and who in the Matthew 26:26 says of the matzah, "This is My body" -- is broken for all and given to all (symbolically representing His death for all mankind). Yet there is a mystery, a hidden part, similar to the hidden afikoman: like the middle matzah at the Pesach meal, the Messiah appears twice in  history, in a first and second coming. All these symbolisms are hidden from non-Messianic Judaism. But like the afikoman, these truths about the Messiah will eventually be found. ] Excerpt taken from Jewish New Testament Commentary, David H. Stern, 1992, pg 80

The Heart of a Worshiper

 This morning, during my daily morning worship, the Lord began to speak to me concerning the heart of a worshiper. He took me, by the Spirit, to Bethany, which was a little village just over the Mount of Olives from Jerusalem, during the time of our Lord Jesus.  Here lived three siblings, Lazarus and his two sisters: Martha and Mary.  We find this story in the gospels of both Luke and John.  

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:38-42

Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment. Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.  For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.  Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.  John 12:1-9

Martha had the heart of a servant. She wanted everything to be just right for the great Rabbi and all of his guests. I have often cooked for other people and have found myself becoming anxious because it seems that everything won't get done at the appointed time. You may have one pot cooking on the stove while the meat is on the grill and another dish in the oven. While concerning yourself with one, you remember the other is about to burn and you must stir it and then one completes its cooking time and starts to get cold while the bread is still baking for another 5 minutes. It can become stressful. And in the midst of all this, you want the table to be set nicely, with napkins folded properly and each eating utensil in its proper place. This is what Martha was experiencing when she went to Yeshua (Jesus) and asked Him, "Tell my sister to help me." Yeshua did not rebuke her for serving, but He explained to her that Mary had chosen the higher thing, that of worship. 

What I have discovered in life is, one can be serving God with all their heart and still be weighed down with burdens, stress, and anxieties of life. But when one comes into that place of worship, suddenly you are carefree. It doesn't matter what life's circumstances are. There is only one focus. 

Earlier in the week, while on my job, I had many tasks to do and very little time to accomplish it. I found myself multitasking and by the end of my day, I was so stressed and anxious! But on Wednesday morning, during my time of prayer and worship, the Spirit of the Lord came and lifted me up. Suddenly, I began singing in the Spirit about having "an undivided heart, that I might fear Your Name." I sang that all morning, and found myself so much lighter than I had been all week. It wasn't that my tasks were less. Rather, my heart was not divided. My only task in the day was to worship the Lord and while I was worshiping Him as my only task, everything else took second place. 

 Now, I want to comment on the portion from John where Mary took the pound of spikenard and anointed Yeshua's feet. Notice how the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. I imagine that everyone in the house left smelling like spikenard, that day. While singing in the Spirit, this morning, the Holy Spirit showed me Song of Solomon 1:3, "Because of the fragrance of Your pleasant oil, Your Name is as oil poured out, this is why the maidens love You." [Author's Translation] Yeshua was the fulfillment of this verse. While Mary was anointing the feet of the Messiah, she also was being perfumed with the smell. She, of all people, smelled most like Yeshua that day. The smell was on her hands and in her hair. She probably smelled that way for the rest of the week. And when we sit at the feet of the Messiah and worship him, we to begin to smell like Him. Now thanks be to God, which always causes us to be victorious in the Messiah, and makes us manifest the fragrance of His knowledge everywhere we go. For we are a sweet fragrance of Messiah, to them which are saved and to those who perish. 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 [Author's Translation]

David prayed, "Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." Psalm 141:2

Prayers for Europe

 To all my Ukrainian and Russian readers, I pray that God grant you grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of war! And to each and everyone else, let us hold up our brothers and sisters in Christ in prayer. 

The Fear of the LORD

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:

 and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding. 

Proverbs 9:10 

 

1)Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man that fears the LORD, that delights greatly in His commandments. 2)His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. 3)Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endures forever: 4)Unto the upright there arises a light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. 5)A good man shows favor, and lends: he will guide his affairs with discretion. 6)Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in the everlasting remembrance. 7)He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. 8)His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies. 9)He has dispersed, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honor. 10)The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish. Psalm 112:1-10

In verse one, the Hebrew word for blessed is ASH'REI which means How fortunate or blessed is... This whole chapter enumerates the benefits of one who FEARS the LORD.

 

Jesus instructed His disciples, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom you shall fear: Fear Him, which after He has killed has power to cast into hell; yes, I say unto you, Fear Him. Luke 12:4-5  And while reading this, we would only have a fear of God that is not reverent, rather only fear that causes one to be afraid to do anything - good or bad for God. However, the Messiah didn't stop there. He went on to say, Are not two sparrows sold for one penny, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows. Also, I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemes against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. Luke 12:6-10

In context, we see that the fear of the LORD is not constantly afraid of a vengeful and wrath God who is ready to strike us dead when we disobey. Rather, we see a loving Father who knows every detail about our life, even down to the number of hairs on our body. And He loves us so much, that we walk in reverent fear, that we not offend Him. When an earthly father has a positive relationship with his children, they are not afraid of him, rather they don't want to cause pain to their father by being disobedient. And when a righteous man has this relationship with his Heavenly Father, his Father in heaven abundantly bless him, for, The blessing of the LORD, it makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22

In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge. Proverbs 14:26

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. Proverbs 14:27

Commentary on Proverbs 3:5-6

 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and lean not to your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him, 

and He shall direct your paths. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart:

• Put all your confidence in Him
• Rely solely and totally on Him.
• Cast all your worries, anxieties, fears, aspirations, expectations, everything on Him.

Trust is security. It's like the clip that a mountain climber uses to secure him to the repelling rope. And when you are secure in the LORD, then your heart will not fear. But your trust can only be in Him. The first commandment God gave when He gave Moses the ten commandments was: You shall have no other gods before Me. “Before Me” in Hebrew literally translates “Before My face”. The first several commandments, in fact, deal with idolatry and worshiping other gods. I have known people who claim to be God-fearing believers, but they also dabble in other religions and pagan practices. They believe that God is OK with this. However, this is equivalent to spiritual adultery or fornication. God wants all of your heart.

 

Lean not on your own understanding:

• Don't put any stock in your own ideas.
• Your wisdom is foolish to God.
• The way you perceive is biased.
• Your thoughts are not My thoughts.

When I began to meditate on this line, I could see an old man in need of cane to support him while walking. However, instead of leaning on a very solid walking stick, he was leaning on a hollow reed. There is no support in a hollow reed and if you lean upon it, it will break and cause you to fall. This is what happens when we trust our on reasoning or perception.

In all your ways acknowledge Him:

• In everything you do, your business, your hobbies, your words, recognize Him.

To know someone in the ancient Hebrew meant an intimate acquaintance. I have had the privilege of being in close proximity of renowned people, but I could not say that I Know them. However, their spouses or children, even personal assistants could say that they Know them. They know what makes that person happy or sad, what makes them angry or what foods they like or dislike. There are a number of great people's lives I have studied and while I think I would know them, I can only know them through the stories of others that knew them. But with God, we can KNOW. First, we read His Word and the eye-witness accounts of others, but if you are born-again (that means you have been born of the Spirit of God), then you spend time in the Presence of God and you will know Him.

And He shall direct/level your paths:

• Your feet won't stumble on uneven ground.
• He will guide you with His eye (Psalms 32:8)
• When your ways please the LORD, he will make even your enemies to be at peace with you. (Proverbs 16:7)
• The way of the righteous is made plain. Proverbs 15:19

The book of Proverbs teaches that the way of the transgressor is hard. I have found myself determined to do something in life that was not God's will for me. The sad part of it is, I knew it wasn't God's will for me. However, due to God giving us free-will, He allowed me to go on the path of my choosing, but it was very unpleasant. When we walk in the perfect will of God, there may be difficulties along the way, but it is a path that is plain. He goes before us and fills in the potholes.

In the early years of the church, a work was written called the Didache. It was more or less a manual on how to be a Christian. It's opening line is “there are two ways, one of life and one of death” Proverbs 15:24 says, “The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.” Jesus taught the disciples that He is the Way of life in John 14:6. He is the Way that pleases God. Choose Him.

My prayer for each of you is that you will choose the Way of Life.

Jonathan Hollis 

updated Translation to Psalm 119: 109

 Psalm 119:109: My soul is in my palm continually, but Your Line I did not forget.

 

If you have read previous posts of mine, you will note that the word for soul is occasionally understood as appetite or desire. The word for soul in Hebrew is NEFESH. It is widely used in a sense to encompass appetite, desire, lust, the mind, pleasure either negatively or positively. The ancient Hebrews often referred to 'afflicting the soul' which meant to abstain from food. Hence our soul is the part of our being that is responsible for desires delights and affections. “He satisfieth the hungry soul with goodness – Ps 107:9” https://torahgoy.blogspot.com/2015/07/praying-shema.html

Therefore, I have amended this verse to read: 

My desire is in my palm continually, but Your Line I did not forget.

The Way Into the Throne Room of God

Today, as I was singing in the Spirit, I looked down at where my devotional NIV Bible had fallen open and the title of the devotion was “The Path is Open, but you must take the Step”. I sensed it was the presence of God letting me know this was His voice. The Holy Spirit directed me to the verse in Hebrews, “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:19-23 NIV) Then He took me to John 14, “Thomas said unto Him, 'Lord, we don't know where You are going, so how can we know the way?'” Jesus answered, 'I am the Way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you really knew Me, you would know My Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.'” (John 14:5-7 NIV) I am reminded how the Apostle Paul told the Ephesians, “For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:18 NIV)

The way in to the Throne of God has been opened for us through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but we have to take a hold of His atonement by faith. Good works will not get us in. Believing a creed or some religious practice will not get us in. Only through trusting in the works of Jesus our Messiah, are we allowed access to the Father. You can't get in by trusting in the pope, a prophet, Buddha, Mohammed, Krishna, transcendental meditation, Shamanism, paganism nor any other religion or “spiritual practice”. The only way to God is through faith in Jesus Christ and He said, “ He that comes to me, I will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)

Psalm 119 - Translation by Jonathan Hollis

 Aleph:

 How blessed are those whose way is perfect, who walk in the Line of the LORD!

How blessed are those who guard His eye-witness reports, wholeheartedly they seek Him!

Also, they have not done iniquity, in His Ways they have walked.

You have directed Your charges to be guarded diligently.

Oh, that You would established my ways to guard Your boundaries!

Then I will not be ashamed when I gaze at all Your directions.

I will give thanks to You in an upright heart, when I study Your right decisions.

Your boundaries I will guard, O, forsake me not utterly.

Bet:

How can a young man purify his path? By guarding Your Word.

Wholeheartedly I sought You, do not let me stray from Your directions.

Your Word have I concealed in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

Blessed are You, O LORD, teach me Your boundaries.

With my lips have I recounted all the decisions of Your mouth.

In the way of Your eye-witness reports I rejoiced, as much as in all wealth.

Of Your charges I speak, and I look at Your paths.

In Your boundaries I engross myself, I will not forget Your Word.

Gimel:

Bestow upon Your servant, that I should live, that I may guard Your Word.

Uncover my eyes, that I may perceive wonders from Your Line.

A stranger am I in the earth, hide not Your directions from me.

Crushed is my soul with love for Your decisions at all time.

You rebuked the proud who are cursed, who stray from Your directions.

Remove from upon me disgrace and contempt, for Your evidence I have safeguarded.

Although princes did sit and speak against me, Your servant meditates on Your boundaries.

Also, Your eye-witness reports are my primary focus, the men of my counsel.

Dalet:

Cling to the dust has my soul; resuscitate me according to Your word.

My ways have I recounted and You answered me, teach me Your boundaries.

Cause me to understand the way of Your charges, that I may meditate Your wonders.

Melt does my soul from sorrow, preserve me according to Your Word.

The way of lying remove from me, and with Your Line favor me.

The way of faithfulness I have chosen, Your decisions I have laid down.

I have clung to Your eye-witness accounts, O LORD, put me not to shame.

In the way of Your directions I will run, for You will broaden my heart.

Hey:

Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your boundaries, and I will safeguard it unto the end.

Grant me understanding that I may safeguard Your Line, and guard it wholeheartedly.

Lead me on the beaten path of Your directions, for that is my desire.

Incline my heart toward Your eye-witness reports and not to greed.

Avert my eyes from seeing worthlessness; in Your ways cause me to live.

Confirm for Your servant Your Word concerning awe of You.

Avert my disgrace which I dreaded, for Your decisions are good.

See, I crave for Your charges, in Your justice may I live.

Vav:

And come to me may Your compassion, O LORD, Your salvation according to Your Word.

And I shall offer to those who scorn me an answer, for I have trusted in Your Word.

And remove not from my mouth utterly the Word of truth, because for Your decisions I hoped.

And I will guard Your Line continually, forever and ever.

And I will walk in broad ways, because Your charges I have sought.

And I will speak of Your eye-witness accounts before kings, and I will not be ashamed.

And I will focus all my attention on Your directions that I love.

And I will lift my hands to Your directions which I love, and I will meditate in Your boundaries.

Zayin:

Remember the Word to Your servant, by which You made me hope.

This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your Word resuscitated me.

The proud scoffed at me exceeding greatly, but from Your Line I did not go astray.

I remembered Your decisions of old, O LORD, and I was comforted.

I have been frozen in terror because of the wicked who forsake Your Line.

Music to me were Your boundaries, in the house where I dwell.

I remembered in the night Your Name, O LORD, and I guarded Your Line.

All this came to pass for me because Your charges I guarded.

Chet:

My share is the LORD, I have declared to guard Your Word.

I have entreated before You with my whole heart; give me grace according to Your declaration.

I considered my ways and returned my feet to Your eye-witness reports.

I hastened and I did not delay to guard Your directions.

Bands of evil men robbed me, but Your Line I did not forget.

At midnight I arise to thank You for Your right decisions.

A friend am I to all who are in awe of You, and to those who guard Your charges.

Your compassion, O LORD, fills the earth; Your boundaries, teach me.

Tet:

Good have You done to Your servant, O LORD, according to Your Word.

Good reasoning and knowledge teach me, for I have been faithful to Your directive.

Before I was afflicted I erred; but now Your Word I guard.

Good are You and You do good, teach me Your boundaries.

Smeared upon me lies have the proud, but I wholeheartedly safeguarded Your charges.

Thickened as fat did their heart, but for me Your Line is my primary focus.

Good for me that I was afflicted, so that I might learn Your boundaries.

Better for me is the Line of Your mouth than thousands in gold and silver.

Yud:

Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn Your directions.

Those who are in awe of You shall see me and rejoice, because in Your Word I hoped.

I know, O LORD, that just are Your decisions, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.

Let it be, I pray, that Your compassion comforts me, according to Your promise to Your servant.

Come may Your mercies upon me, so that I may live, for Your Line is my primary focus.

May shamed be the proud, for with lies have they dealt with me, but I will meditate in Your charges.

May they return to me – those who are in awe of You and who know Your eye-witness accounts.

May my heart be perfect in Your boundaries, so that I will not be ashamed.

Caph:

Crave Your salvation does my soul; for Your Word I hoped.

Crave do my eyes Your promise, saying: When will You comfort me?

For I have been like a wineskin in the smoke, Your boundaries I did not forget.

How many are the days of Your servant? When will You carry out on those who chase me Your sentences?

Dig pits for me did the proud, which is not in accordance with Your Line.

All Your directions are faithful; lies they chase me: Help me!

Almost destroyed am I in the earth, but I did not forsake Your charges.

In accordance with Your compassion give me life, and I will guard the evidence of Your mouth.

Lamed:

Forever, O LORD, Your Word is fixed in the heavens.

From generation to generation is Your faithfulness, You established the earth and it stands.

To fulfill Your decisions they stand to this day for all Your servants.

Had not Your Line been my main focus, then I would have perished in my affliction.

Never will I forget Your charges, for through them You have given me life.

Yours I am, save me, for Your charges have I sought.

Against me have bound the wicked to destroy me, but Your eye-witness accounts I contemplate.

To every accomplishment I have seen an end, but broad is Your directions exceedingly!

Mem:

O how I love Your Line! It is my meditation all day long.

More than mine enemies, I am made wiser by Your directions, because it is ever with me.

From all my teachers I grew wise, for Your eye-witness accounts are a meditation for me.

From elders I gain understanding, because Your charges I have safeguarded.

From every evil path I restrained my feet, so that I might guard Your word.

From Your decisions I did not revolt: for You have taught me.

How sweet to my palate is Your Word, more than honey to my mouth!

From Your charges I get understanding, therefore I hate every path that is deceptive.

Nun:

Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my footpath.

I have sworn, and I will fulfill, to guard Your just decisions.

Afflicted am I exceedingly; O LORD, cause me to live in accordance with Your Word.

The voluntary offering of my mouth accept with favor please, O LORD, and Your decisions teach me.

My desire is in my palm continually, but Your Line I did not forget.

The wicked laid a snare for me, but from Your charges I did not stray.

I have taken as my heritage Your eye-witness reports, forever, for the joy of my heart are they.

I have inclined my heart to do Your boundaries, forever, to the end.

Samekh:

The double-minded I hate, but Your Line I love.

My hiding place and my shield are You, in Your Word do I hope.

Depart from from me, you evildoers, and I will safeguard the directions of my God.

Uphold me according to Your promise that I may live, and shame me not in my hope.

Support me that I may be saved, and I will gaze in awe at Your boundaries continually.

You have weighed all who stray from Your boundaries, for lying is their deceit.

As trash, You have purged all the wicked of the earth: therefore I have loved Your witnesses.

Bristling from fear of You did my flesh, and Your decisions I respected.

Ayin:

I have done what is just and right, do not abandon me to those who oppress me.

Be the insurer for Your servant for good; do not let the proud oppress me.

My eyes crave Your salvation, and for Your promised justice.

Deal with Your servant according to Your compassion, and Your boundaries teach me.

Your servant am I, grant me understanding, so that I may know Your eye-witness reports.

It is time for You to act, LORD; they have erased Your Line.

Therefore I have loved Your directions more than gold, even fine gold.

Therefore of all Your charges all is just! Every path of lying I have hated.

Pey:

Wondrous are Your eye-witness reports, therefore my soul has safeguarded them.

The opening of Your words enlightens, giving understanding to the simple.

My mouth I opened wide and panted, for Your directions I crave.

Turn to me and favor me, as is Your practice to those who love Your Name.

Order my footsteps in Your Word, and let no iniquity dominate me.

Redeem me from oppression by man, and I will guard Your charges.

Your face cause to shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your boundaries.

Streams of water run down mine eyes, because they did not guard Your Line.

Tzaddi:

Just are You, O LORD, and just are Your decisions.

Your eye-witness reports You have directed are right and exceeding faithful.

Consumed me has my zeal, because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.

Refined is Your Word extremely, and Your servant loves it.

Young am I and despised, Your charges I do not forget.

Your justice is an everlasting justice, and Your Line is truth.

Distress and anxiety have befallen me, Your directions are my primary focus.

Just are Your eye-witness reports forever, grant me understanding that I may live.

Kuph:

I have called wholeheartedly, answer me, O LORD; Your boundaries I will safeguard.

I called You; save me, and I will guard Your eye-witness reports.

I preceded the dawn and I cried out; for Your Word I hoped.

Preceded did mine eyes the night-watches, to meditate Your Word.

My voice hear in accordance with Your compassion; O LORD, in accordance with Your decisions may I live.

Draw near do the pursuers of evil plans; from Your Line they are far.

Close by are You, O LORD, and all Your directions are true.

From the past, I gained knowledge from Your eye-witness reports, for from eternity You established them.

Resh:

See my affliction and deliver me, for Your Line have I not forgotten.

Defend my case and redeem me, for Your Word, resuscitate me.

Far from the wicked is salvation, for Your boundaries they sought not.

Your mercies are abundant, O LORD; as is Your decision resuscitate me.

Many were my pursuers and my distressors, but from Your eye-witness reports I did not turn away.

I saw the traitors and I was disgusted with them, because Your Word they guarded not.

See that Your charges I have loved, O LORD, in accordance with Your compassion resuscitate me.

Your first utterance is truth, and for Eternity is every decision of Your justice.

Shin:

Princes have chased me without cause, but from Your Word my heart has feared.

Rejoice do I over Your Word, as one who finds abundant treasure.

Lies have I hated and abhorred it; Your Line I love.

Seven times a day I have praised You because of Your right decisions.

Abundant peace to those who love Your Line, and there is not a stumbling block for them.

I hoped for Your salvation, O LORD, and Your directions I have done.

Guard did my soul Your eye-witness reports, and I loved them exceedingly.

I have guarded Your charges and Your evidence, for all my ways are before You.

Tav:

Approach may my prayer before You, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your Word.

Let my supplication come before You: deliver me according to Your Word.

Utter praise shall my lips when You teach me Your boundaries.

Proclaim shall my tongue Your Word, for all Your directions are fair.

May Your hand help me, for Your charges I have chosen.

I crave Your salvation, O LORD, and Your Line is my primary focus.

May my soul live, and it shall praise You, and Your decisions will help me.

I have strayed like a sheep that is lost; seek out Your servant, for Your directions I have not forgotten.