Tanak Foundations-Concepts in Psalms 34-37

Psa 34.1-22 has the heading, ” To David when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who drove him away and he departed.” David was fleeing from Saul and David went to the Philistine city of Gath, but could not find safety there (1 Sam 21.10-22.1). After that David went to the cave at Adullam where others joined him. This psalm seems to have been written at the cave and after these others joined him.

This psalm is a Rosh Ha Shanah and Yom Kippur reading (Rosh Ha Shanah Machzor, Mesorah Publications, p. 230-231) and each verse begins according to each succeeding letter of the Hebrew alphabet, except for the letter Vav, number six in Hebrew and it means the number of man, nail, peg and secure. The Aleph-Tav is the first and last letter of the alphabet and is a title for the Messiah, and a word (“Et”) meaning that it points to what follows after it.

Psa 34.1-3 tells us about a life that is full of praise. If we are to boast in anything, we should boast in the Lord (Jer 9.23). The humble will hear how David overcame Achish and be encouraged.

Psa 34.4-8 teaches that David had a simple testimony. He looked to Yehovah to save him from Achish, and he did. But in verse 5 it says, “They (this experience is not his alone) looked to him and were radiant (from God’s glory or “kivod”-2 Cor 3.18. This radiance is proof they are close to Yehovah and look to him), and their faces were not ashamed (God did not forsake them).

Psa 34.6-7 tells us that David was a “poor man” who cried and Yehovah heard him. He acted insane and certainly had to do it in order to escape death, at least in David’s mind. The angel of Yehovah (“of the covenant”-Isa 63.9) encamps around those who fear him, and rescues them. Whether this is talking about Yeshua or another angel is not clear, but whoever it is will be able to guard and rescue believers.

Psa 34.8-10 invites a believer to “taste and see” (with our spiritual senses based on emunah, faith) that Yehovah is good (Heb 6.5; 1 Pet 2.3). Blessed (empowered to succeed) is the person who trusts in the Lord. Then he says, “O fear Yehovah, you his saints!” The word for “saint” is “kodeshayiv” which means one set apart and abstains. They will have no want and all that is necessary to succeed (Psa 23.1).

The young lions lack and suffer hunger and this alludes to those who are pushy and exert themselves to get what they want. But the one who seeks (“darash”) meaning “to ask, pursue, follow or seek out” the Lord shall not want (lack) any good thing.

Psa 34.11 starts out with the letter “lamed” (L sound) which means teaching, control, speak and authority and that’s why it says, “Come (and learn) and listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” He who desires life here and now and length of days that he may see good should keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit. We should depart from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.

Psa 34.15-18 says that the person described above will know that God constantly takes notice of him and guards him, and the face of God is against evildoers. Believers are under the watchful eye of our shepherd.

Psa 34.19-22 tells us that God cares for his people even though they go through afflictions (like David). He will “keep all his bones” meaning that David can look on his own body and see that not “one of them is broken.” This was Yeshua’s experience in John 19.36. Then it says “evil shall slay the wicked” because what was designed for others shall come upon them-Prov 11.8). Yehovah will redeem the soul of his servants and none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned (Rom 8.1).

Psa 35.1-28 begins with “To David” and again it alludes to the Ruach Ha Kodesh speaking through him, or it was written by someone else for David. David pleads with Yehovah to redeem him from the problems caused by his many enemies. He wants Psa 34.22 put into practice. This psalm seems to be written when he was persecuted by Saul or from Absalom. In addition, keep Yeshua in mind as always when you read the psalms.

Psa 35.1-8 says that David wants God to fight with those who fight with him. He wants Yehovah to take up a “buckler” (a shield called a “Zinah” which protects on four sides) and a “magen” (a smaller shield). He wants him to take up the “spear” (like Saul threw at him in 1 Sam 18.11). David did not defend himself, but he could have (1 Sam 26.7-9). He wants God to “say to my soul” (inject strength) and say “I am your salvation.” He wants them to be ashamed (an inner shame) and humiliated (a deep embarrassment). David says, “Let them be like chaff (a type of the unbeliever) before the wind, with the angel of the Lord driving them on.

Psa 35.9-14 it says that David praises God for his coming deliverances and then talks about how he showed his enemy good, and now they repay him with evil. When they were sick he prayed and mourned for them, as if they were family.

But Psa 35.15-16 says when he stumbled they rejoiced over him. They gathered together and slandered him and like “jesters” they gnashed their teeth at him. Mockers call good bad, and flatterers call bad good.

In Psa 35.17-18 he says, “How long will you look on” and this shows that David believed that God was omniscient. He wants the Lord to rescue his life (soul) from the lions. He will give Yehovah thanks in the congregation (Hebrew “Kahal” or “assembly”).

Psa 35.19-21 gives us the reasons for his vindication before his enemies who mock him and hate him without a cause, and “wrongfully” by his enemies. They devise evil against the “quiet” (broken, people of the land). They said, “Aha, aha, our eyes have seen it” (What their hearts wished for, or they saw David’s distress).

But Psa 35.22-26 says God has seen all this and he wants him to take notice of his cause (do something). He wants God (Elohim) to judge him according to God’s righteousness standards in the Torah. Let his enemies be ashamed and not rejoice over news of David’s death, and clothed in shame and dishonor who magnify themselves over him.

Psa 35.27-28 tells us that he wants God’s people to rejoice over his vindication. In doing this they will magnify the Lord because God’s servant David has prospered. David’s tongue will speak of God’s righteousness and he will praise him all day long.

Psa 36.1-12 portrays a contrast between those who defy God and those who serve him. It begins with the heading, “For the Conductor, for the servant of Yehovah, for David.” Only Psalm 18 uses “servant of Yehovah” in the heading. Psalm 18 comes from an older David, and Psalm 36 comes from a younger David. This is saying that David was the servant of Yehovah as a youth and in his old age.

Psalm 36.1-4 tells us about the “Rasha” (wicked person). They don’t fear the judgment of God because “he flatters himself in his own eyes” (makes him seem attractive) and he does not acknowledge sin for that reason. He has ceased to be “wise” and he won’t allow himself to draw a moral lesson from anything that might influence him to repent and change.

But Psa 36.5-9 tells us the lovingkindness of God extends (in) to the heavens, and he executes his purposes (faithfulness) to the skies. In other words, the natural order of things that God has set up in the world are reliable and unchanging. We don’t need to worry about global warming or climate change, or asteroids destroying all life on earth like the unbelievers try to tell us today (Gen 9.21-22; Psa 33.4, 148.1-6). He preserves man and beast, and mankind can take refuge in the “shadow of his wings” and drink their fill in the household of God (Eph 2.11-22). We can “drink” or take in of the river of his delights (true teaching) because “in thy light (teaching) we see light (understand).”

Psa 36.10-12 is a prayer for Yehovah’s continued lovingkindness to those who “know him” (Matt 7.21-23; 1 John 2.3-4). He asks God to protect him from the “foot of pride” (some proud enemy), nor let the hand of the “rasha” (wicked) drive him away. Lawless ones have fallen to judgment and have been cast down unable to rise (in the assembly of the righteous).

Psa 37.1-40 is simply headed, “To David.” When the heading is simply “L’David” in Hebrew thought it is the Ruach speaking through him or it was written by another and given to him. It continues the same theme as Psa 36.

Psa 37.1-6 starts out with godly counsel for the righteous. We are not to fret because of evildoers. Yeshua said the same thing in Matt 5.39 and so did Solomon in Prov 24.19. This means we are not to “compete” with evil. We should not be envious of wrongdoers either (Prov 23.17). They will wither away and fade (Psa 90.5). It goes on to tell us that we are to trust (put faith into action) in Yehovah and do good. Delight (redirect our emotions) ourselves in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart (Isa 58.14; Matt 6.33). We are to commit our way (walk) to Yehovah (Prov 3.5-6) and trust (put faith to action) in him and he will do what we can’t. Then we will have nothing to hide when he brings forth our righteousness as the “light” (Matt 6.1) of noonday.

Psa 37.7-11 tells us that we should “rest in Yehovah” which means to be quiet before him, don’t be overwhelmed by present events and “wait” for future developments which will make God’s plan more evident. Again, we are not to fret (compete with and be anxious) ourselves with others who prosper and carry out wicked schemes. Don’t be angry and calm others. Do not fret because it leads to evil doing. Evildoers will be cut off but those who wait (submit to future developments in God’s plan) will “inherit” (Possess) the land (Matt 5.5). David says, “Yet a little while and the wicked man will be no more” (so don’t look at the present). We will look for “his place” (he has forfeited his earthly place and possessions, but also in the Olam Haba) and he will not be there. However the “humble” (meek) will “inherit” (possess) the land, and will delight themselves (the wicked will never enjoy peace of mind) in abundant prosperity (Hebrew “Shalom” which is understood as complete peace, nothing lacking).

Psa 37.12-15 says that even though the wicked seem to have a “foolproof” plot against us, we are not to be concerned, Yehovah laughs at them (Psa 2.4) because his “day” is coming. If they draw their sword and bend the bow to strike us, their sword will enter their own heart and their bows will be broken. In other words, should they instigate trouble, their efforts against us will fail and be fruitless.

Psa 37.16-22 tells us that the “little” that the righteous has is better than the abundance the wicked has because it won’t last. Yehovah will sustain the righteous and provide. He knows the nature of the days of the “mature” (blameless) and is concerned with their daily needs, and their inheritance is forever. They will not be ashamed in the “time of evil” which is affliction, persecution and old age, and is another name for the Birth-pains, and in the day of famine they will have abundance. The wicked will perish and the enemies of Yehovah will be like “the glory (kivod) of the pastures, they will vanish like smoke. The “glory” alludes to the “fat sheep” (Lev 3.4). They “glory” in their size and weight, not realizing that this fattening is a prelude to its doom.

This is like the story of the piglet, the donkey and her foal. The piglet was idle and ate whatever it wanted. The donkey told her foal, “Don’t be upset. You will see that the piglet was pampered for its doom.” Sure enough, one day the piglet was taken. The foal refused to eat, thinking it was being fattened, too. But the mother said it is not the feeding that marks a creature for slaughter, but it is the idleness of productive work. We also learn in these verses that the wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous gives (v 25.26). They will inherit the land (Matt 25.31-40), but those cursed by God will be cut off (Matt 25.41-46).

Psa 37.23-26 says the steps of a man (Hebrew “strong man” in the faith) are established by Yehovah. When he falls he shall not be hurled headlong (cast off). Even if God should cause the tzadik to fall into poverty or misfortune, he will not cast him away. His chastisement is out of love. But when the wicked fall (v 22) they will never rise (Prov 24.16).

David has “seen it all” and has not seen the righteous forsaken. He may be poor and needy, but not entirely forsaken. He has not seen his descendants begging for bread. Rabbi Meir made three “selahs” a week. One he spent on food, another on clothing and the third he gave away to support Torah scholars. His students asked because he had no money, “What are you doing to provide for your children?” Rabbi Meir said, “If they are righteous, then God will provide for them, as David said, “I have not seen the righteous man forsaken, nor his children begging for bread. However, if they are not righteous, then why should I leave my possessions to the enemies of God.” At all times he is gracious and lends and his descendants a blessing (because they are believers).

Psa 37.27-29 says that we are to depart from evil, and do good (Matt 3.8; Luke 3.8; Psa 34.14; Rom 12.21). It also tells us that there is a reward for obeying the Lord through his Torah. They will inherit the land and dwell in it forever in the Olam Haba.

Psa 37.30-31 tells us about the nature of a tzadik (a righteous person). They speak wisdom and justice, and the Torah of God is in his heart (Jer 31.33). The “heart” is seen as their desire, thoughts and intentions. But the wicked “spies” upon the righteous (is jealous) and seeks to kill him. But Yehovah will foil their plots, and not let them be condemned when he is judged. A false witness will not fool a righteous judge. We are to “wait” for Yehovah and “keep his way (Torah). Again, to “wait” means to be quiet before the Lord, don’t be overwhelmed by present events and wait for future developments which will make God’s plan more evident. The righteous will inherit the land, but the wicked will be cut off and the righteous will see it (Psa 91.8).

Psa 37.35-40 teaches us that David has seen a violent, wicked man spread out like a luxuriant tree (well rooted). But then he passed away suddenly and was “no more” (reduced to nothing). He could not be found. But “mark” (pay heed) to the tzadik and how he lives. For there is a “posterity” (a destiny and an aftermath) for the man of peace (shalom). But sinners will be destroyed and the posterity (destiny and aftermath) of the wicked ceases. The righteous will enjoy a salvation that lasts forever in the Olam Haba, and God is their “might” in a time of distress. He will help them and cause them to escape.

Posted in All Teachings, Articles, Idioms, Phrases and Concepts, Prophecy/Eschatology, The Festivals of the Lord, The Tanak, Tying into the New Testament

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*