{"id":2852,"date":"2014-03-15T18:08:36","date_gmt":"2014-03-15T18:08:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matsati.com\/?p=2852"},"modified":"2018-09-23T19:25:47","modified_gmt":"2018-09-23T19:25:47","slug":"tehillim-psalms-36-part-2-seeking-god-with-faith-and-confidence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/tehillim-psalms-36-part-2-seeking-god-with-faith-and-confidence\/","title":{"rendered":"Tehillim \/ Psalms 36, Part 2, Seeking God with Faith and Confidence"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"_idContainer000\" class=\"Basic-Text-Frame\">\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> This week\u2019s study is from <\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-5\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:1-12,<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> can be divided into two major sections, part one describes the wicked and part 2 describes the character of God and the righteous who seek the Lord. The opening verses state <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b7\u05de\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b5\u05d7\u05b7 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b6\u05d1\u05b6\u05d3-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05d5\u05b4\u05d3: \u05d1 \u05e0\u05b0\u05d0\u05bb\u05dd-\u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05e2 \u05dc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e2 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05df-\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b6\u05d3 \u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5: <\/span> <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">For the choir director. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord. 36:1 Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes. (NASB)<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> According to David, transgression (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05e2<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) speaks to the heart of the ungodly that results in the ungodly not having the fear of God. Transgression continues to speak saying <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d2 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d4\u05b6\u05d7\u05b1\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e7 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05dc\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05e6\u05b9\u05d0 \u05e2\u05b2\u05d5\u05b9\u05e0\u05d5\u05b9 \u05dc\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e0\u05b9\u05d0: \u05d3 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05e4\u05b4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d5\u05b6\u05df \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d7\u05b8\u05d3\u05b7\u05dc \u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc \u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05d8\u05b4\u05d9\u05d1: <\/span> <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">36:2 For it flatters him in his own eyes Concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it. 36:3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. (NASB)<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> Notice how the ungodly, when their sin is found out, he does not find shame but is flattered. His response is more ungodliness and deceit. David says this kind of person <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d4 \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d9\u05d9\u05df \u05d4\u05d9\u05da \u05de\u05d5\u05d6\u05d0 \u05e7\u05d3\u05dd \u05d6\u05e2\u05e4\u05d0 \u05d5\u05de\u05dc\u05d0\u05db\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05d3\u05d7\u05d9\u05c3<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\"> 36:4 He plans wickedness upon his bed; He sets himself on a path that is not good; He does not despise evil. (NASB)<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The wicked have sin constantly upon their minds to do evil and not good. Having described the ungodly, David says <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d5 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d7\u05b7\u05e1\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05e2\u05b7\u05d3-\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd: \u05d6 \u05e6\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05e7\u05b8\u05ea\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 | \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05d8\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05e8\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05d4\u05b5\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05e2\u05b7 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4: <\/span> <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">36:5 Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 36:6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your judgments are like a great deep. O Lord, You preserve man and beast. (NASB)<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The Lord\u2019s grace extends to the heavens and David describes the grace of God saying <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d7 \u05de\u05b7\u05d4-\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u05b8\u05e8 \u05d7\u05b7\u05e1\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e6\u05b5\u05dc \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05e4\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d9\u05b6\u05d7\u05b1\u05e1\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5\u05bc\u05df: \u05d8 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05bb\u05df \u05de\u05b4\u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05df \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05dc \u05e2\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05ea\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e7\u05b5\u05dd: \u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05e2\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05de\u05b0\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05e0\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05d4-\u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8: <\/span> <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">36:7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. 36:8 They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights. 36:9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. (NASB)<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> David concludes his Psalm saying <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d9\u05d0 \u05de\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b9\u05da\u05b0 \u05d7\u05b7\u05e1\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b9\u05d3\u05b0\u05e2\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e6\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05e7\u05b8\u05ea\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05dc\u05b5\u05d1: \u05d9\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9\u05d0\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e8\u05b6\u05d2\u05b6\u05dc \u05d2\u05bc\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05d3-\u05e8\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d3\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9: \u05d9\u05d2 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dd \u05e0\u05b8\u05e4\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05e4\u05bc\u05b9\u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d5\u05b6\u05df \u05d3\u05bc\u05b9\u05d7\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05d9\u05b8\u05db\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05e7\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd:<\/span> <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">36:10 O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart. 36:11 Let not the foot of pride come upon me, And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away. 36:12 There the doers of iniquity have fallen; They have been thrust down and cannot rise. (NASB)<\/span> <span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> In this Psalm, David singles out pride as the sin of the ungodly who do not fear the Lord.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-7\"> \u05e2\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9\u05ea Hebrew \u05d0\u05e8\u05de\u05d9 Aramaic \u03b5\u03bb\u03bb\u03b7\u03bd\u03b9\u03ba\u03cc\u03c2 Greek<\/span><\/p>\n<table id=\"table001\" class=\"Basic-Table TableOverride-1\">\n<colgroup>\n<col class=\"_idGenTableRowColumn-1\" \/>\n<col class=\"_idGenTableRowColumn-2\" \/>\n<col class=\"_idGenTableRowColumn-3\" \/> <\/colgroup>\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"Basic-Table _idGenTableRowColumn-4\">\n<td class=\"Basic-Table CellOverride-1\">\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left-\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text CharOverride-8\">\u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05ea\u05d4\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05dc\u05d5<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left-\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text CharOverride-9\">\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b7\u05de\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b5\u05d7\u05b7 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b6\u05d1\u05b6\u05d3-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05d5\u05b4\u05d3: \u05d1 \u05e0\u05b0\u05d0\u05bb\u05dd-\u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05e2 \u05dc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e2 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05df-\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b6\u05d3 \u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5: \u05d2 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d4\u05b6\u05d7\u05b1\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e7 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05dc\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05e6\u05b9\u05d0 \u05e2\u05b2\u05d5\u05b9\u05e0\u05d5\u05b9 \u05dc\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e0\u05b9\u05d0: \u05d3 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05e4\u05b4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d5\u05b6\u05df \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d7\u05b8\u05d3\u05b7\u05dc \u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc \u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05d8\u05b4\u05d9\u05d1: \u05d4 \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d9\u05d9\u05df \u05d4\u05d9\u05da \u05de\u05d5\u05d6\u05d0 \u05e7\u05d3\u05dd \u05d6\u05e2\u05e4\u05d0 \u05d5\u05de\u05dc\u05d0\u05db\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05d3\u05d7\u05d9\u05c3 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Basic-Table CellOverride-2\">\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-3\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"CharOverride-7\">\u05e1\u05dd\u05e8 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05d9\u05d4 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05dc\u05d5<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left-\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"CharOverride-6\">\u05d0 \u05dc\u05e9\u05d1\u05d7\u05d0 \u05dc\u05e2\u05d1\u05d3\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05dc\u05d3\u05d5\u05d3\u05c3 \u05d1 \u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05de\u05e8\u05d3\u05d0 \u05dc\u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05d1\u05d0 \u05d1\u05de\u05e6\u05d9\u05e2\u05d5\u05ea \u05dc\u05d1\u05d1\u05d9 \u05dc\u05d9\u05ea \u05d3\u05d7\u05dc\u05ea\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05dc\u05e7\u05d1\u05d9\u05dc \u05e2\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05d9\u05c3 \u05d2 \u05d0\u05e8\u05d5\u05dd \u05e9\u05e2\u05d9\u05e2 \u05dc\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05d9 \u05dc\u05de\u05e9\u05db\u05d7 \u05d7\u05d5\u05d1\u05d9\u05df \u05dc\u05de\u05d9\u05e1\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05e4\u05e0\u05d0\u05c3 \u05d3 \u05de\u05d9\u05dc\u05d9 \u05e4\u05d5\u05de\u05d9\u05d4 \u05e8\u05d9\u05e9\u05e2\u05d0 \u05d5\u05e0\u05db\u05d9\u05dc\u05d5 \u05e4\u05e1\u05e7 \u05dc\u05de\u05e9\u05db\u05dc \u05dc\u05d0\u05d5\u05d8\u05d1\u05d0\u05c3 \u05d4 \u05e8\u05d9\u05e9\u05e2\u05d0 \u05d7\u05e9\u05d9\u05dc \u05d7\u05e9\u05d9\u05d1 \u05e2\u05dc \u05e9\u05d9\u05d5\u05d5\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d9\u05ea\u05e2\u05ea\u05d3 \u05e2\u05dc \u05d0\u05d5\u05e8\u05d7 \u05d3\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d8\u05d1 \u05d1\u05d9\u05e9 \u05dc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05e8\u05d7\u05e7\u05c3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Basic-Table CellOverride-3\">\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-2\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Hebrew-Greek-body CharOverride-10\" lang=\"en-US\">YALMOI<\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-11\"> 36<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-2\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"CharOverride-12\">36:1 \u03b5\u1f30\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f78 \u03c4\u03ad\u03bb\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c4\u1ff7 \u03b4\u03bf\u03cd\u03bb\u1ff3 \u03ba\u03c5\u03c1\u03af\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c4\u1ff7 \u03b4\u03b1\u03c5\u03b9\u03b4 (2) \u03c6\u03b7\u03c3\u1f76\u03bd \u1f41 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03ac\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f01\u03bc\u03b1\u03c1\u03c4\u03ac\u03bd\u03b5\u03b9\u03bd \u1f10\u03bd \u1f11\u03b1\u03c5\u03c4\u1ff7 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f14\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd \u03c6\u03cc\u03b2\u03bf\u03c2 \u03b8\u03b5\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f00\u03c0\u03ad\u03bd\u03b1\u03bd\u03c4\u03b9 \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u1f40\u03c6\u03b8\u03b1\u03bb\u03bc\u1ff6\u03bd \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 36:2 \u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u1f10\u03b4\u03cc\u03bb\u03c9\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd \u1f10\u03bd\u03ce\u03c0\u03b9\u03bf\u03bd \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03b5\u1f51\u03c1\u03b5\u1fd6\u03bd \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u1f00\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03af\u03b1\u03bd \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03bc\u03b9\u03c3\u1fc6\u03c3\u03b1\u03b9 36:3 \u03c4\u1f70 \u1fe5\u03ae\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c3\u03c4\u03cc\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f00\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03af\u03b1 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03b4\u03cc\u03bb\u03bf\u03c2 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f10\u03b2\u03bf\u03c5\u03bb\u03ae\u03b8\u03b7 \u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b9\u03ad\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f00\u03b3\u03b1\u03b8\u1fe6\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9 36:4 \u1f00\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03af\u03b1\u03bd \u03b4\u03b9\u03b5\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03af\u03c3\u03b1\u03c4\u03bf \u1f10\u03c0\u1f76 \u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03ba\u03bf\u03af\u03c4\u03b7\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03ad\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7 \u03c0\u03ac\u03c3\u1fc3 \u1f41\u03b4\u1ff7 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03b3\u03b1\u03b8\u1fc7 \u03c4\u1fc7 \u03b4\u1f72 \u03ba\u03b1\u03ba\u03af\u1fb3 \u03bf\u1f50 \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c3\u03ce\u03c7\u03b8\u03b9\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"Basic-Table _idGenTableRowColumn-5\">\n<td class=\"Basic-Table CellOverride-4\">\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-4\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text CharOverride-6\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d5\u05b6\u05df | \u05d9\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b9\u05d1 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b5\u05d1 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05d8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1 \u05e8\u05b8\u05e2 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05e1: \u05d5 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d7\u05b7\u05e1\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05e2\u05b7\u05d3-\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd: \u05d6 \u05e6\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05e7\u05b8\u05ea\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 | \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05d8\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05e8\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05d4\u05b5\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05e2\u05b7 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4: \u05d7 \u05de\u05b7\u05d4-\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u05b8\u05e8 \u05d7\u05b7\u05e1\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e6\u05b5\u05dc \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05e4\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d9\u05b6\u05d7\u05b1\u05e1\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5\u05bc\u05df: \u05d8 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05bb\u05df \u05de\u05b4\u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05df \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05dc \u05e2\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05ea\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e7\u05b5\u05dd: \u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05e2\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05de\u05b0\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05e0\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05d4-\u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8: \u05d9\u05d0 \u05de\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b9\u05da\u05b0 \u05d7\u05b7\u05e1\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b9\u05d3\u05b0\u05e2\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e6\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05e7\u05b8\u05ea\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05dc\u05b5\u05d1: \u05d9\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9\u05d0\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e8\u05b6\u05d2\u05b6\u05dc \u05d2\u05bc\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05d3-\u05e8\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d3\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9: \u05d9\u05d2 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dd \u05e0\u05b8\u05e4\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05e4\u05bc\u05b9\u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d5\u05b6\u05df \u05d3\u05bc\u05b9\u05d7\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05d9\u05b8\u05db\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05e7\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd: <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-2\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"CharOverride-13\" lang=\"en-US\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-2\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-2\" lang=\"en-US\">For the choir director. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord. 36:1 Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes. 36:2 For it flatters him in his own eyes Concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it. 36:3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. 36:4 He plans wickedness upon his bed; He sets himself on a path that is not good; He does not despise evil. 36:5 Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 36:6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your judgments are like a great deep. O Lord, You preserve man and beast. 36:7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. 36:8 They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights. 36:9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. 36:10 O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart. 36:11 Let not the foot of pride come upon me, And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away. 36:12 There the doers of iniquity have fallen; They have been thrust down and cannot rise. (NASB)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Basic-Table CellOverride-5\">\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left-\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text CharOverride-14\">\u05d5 \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05d1\u05e9\u05de\u05d9 \u05e9\u05de\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05da \u05d4\u05d9\u05de\u05e0\u05d5\u05ea\u05da \u05e2\u05d3 \u05e9\u05d7\u05e7\u05d9\u05c3 \u05d6 \u05e6\u05d3\u05e7\u05ea\u05da \u05d0\u05dc\u05d4\u05d0 \u05e8\u05de\u05d0 \u05d4\u05d9\u05da \u05d8\u05d5\u05e8\u05d9\u05d9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05e7\u05d9\u05e4\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d9\u05e0\u05da \u05e2\u05de\u05d9\u05e7\u05d9\u05df \u05d4\u05d9\u05da \u05ea\u05d4\u05d5\u05de\u05d0 \u05e8\u05d1\u05d0 \u05d1\u05e0\u05d9 \u05e0\u05e9\u05d0 \u05d5\u05d1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e8\u05d0 \u05ea\u05e4\u05e8\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4\u05c3 \u05d7 \u05db\u05de\u05d4 \u05d9\u05e7\u05e8 \u05d9\u05e7\u05d9\u05e8 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05da \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05d5\u05d1\u05e0\u05d9 \u05e0\u05e9\u05d0 \u05d1\u05d8\u05dc\u05dc \u05e9\u05db\u05d9\u05e0\u05ea\u05da \u05d9\u05e9{\u05d5}\u05e8\u05d5\u05df \u05dc\u05e8\u05d5\u05d7\u05e6\u05df\u05c3 \u05d8 \u05d9\u05ea\u05e8\u05d5\u05d5\u05d9\u05d5\u05df \u05de\u05d3\u05d4\u05df \u05d1\u05e8\u05db\u05ea\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d1\u05d9\u05ea\u05da \u05d5\u05de\u05d1\u05d5\u05e2 \u05d1\u05e1\u05d9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea\u05da \u05ea\u05e9\u05e7\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05df\u05c3 \u05d9 \u05d0\u05e8\u05d5\u05dd \u05e2\u05de\u05da \u05d8\u05d9\u05e4\u05d9 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d5\u05e4\u05d9 \u05de\u05d9\u05d9\u05df \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05df \u05d1\u05d6\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d1\u05d3\u05d9\u05dc \u05e0\u05d4\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d9\u05e7\u05e8\u05da \u05e0\u05d7\u05de\u05d9 \u05e0\u05d4\u05d5\u05e8\u05d0 \u05d0\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4\u05c3 \u05d9\u05d0 \u05e0\u05d2\u05d5\u05d3 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05da \u05e2\u05dc \u05d9\u05d3\u05e2\u05da \u05d5\u05e6\u05d3\u05e7\u05ea\u05da \u05e2\u05dc \u05ea\u05e8\u05d9\u05e6\u05d9 \u05dc\u05d9\u05d1\u05d0\u05c3 \u05d9\u05d1 \u05dc\u05d0 \u05ea\u05d0\u05d9\u05e8\u05e2\u05d9\u05e0\u05e0\u05d9 \u05e8\u05d9\u05d2\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d2\u05d9\u05d5\u05d5\u05ea\u05e0\u05d0 \u05d5\u05d9\u05d3\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05df \u05d3\u05e8\u05e9\u05d9\u05e2\u05d9\u05d0 \u05dc\u05d0 \u05ea\u05d8\u05dc\u05d8\u05dc\u05e0\u05e0\u05d9 \u05ea\u05d8\u05dc\u05d8\u05dc \u05d9\u05ea\u05d9\u05c3 \u05d9\u05d2 \u05ea\u05de\u05df \u05e0\u05e4\u05dc\u05d5 \u05e2\u05d1\u05d3\u05d9 \u05e9\u05e7\u05e8 \u05d9\u05d3\u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05df \u05d5\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05d5\u05e1\u05d9\u05e4\u05d5\u05df \u05dc\u05de\u05d9\u05e7\u05dd\u05c3<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-2\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text CharOverride-2\">T<\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-13\" lang=\"en-US\">oviyah \/ Psalms Chapter 36<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-2\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"CharOverride-2\" lang=\"en-US\">36:1 For praise. Of the servant of the Lord, David. 36:2 Rebellion said to the sinner within my heart, \u201cThere is no fear of the Lord before his eyes.\u201d 36:3 Because he flatters him with his eyes to find sins, to hate instruction. 36:4 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; he has ceased to be wise in doing good. 36:5 Wickedness plots on his bed; he will take his stand in a way not good; he will not reject evil. 36:6 O Lord, your goodness is in the heaven of heavens, your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 36:7 Your righteousness is as high as the great mountains; your judgments are as deep as the great abyss; you will redeem both the sons of men and beasts, O Lord. 36:8 How precious is your goodness, O Lord; and the sons of men will dwell securely in the shadow of your presence. 36:9 They will drink deeply of the plenteous blessings of your house; and you will let them drink of your pleasant fountain. 36:10 For with you are streams of living water; in the splendor of your glory we will see light. 36:11 Extend your goodness over those who know you; and your generosity over the upright of heart. 36:12 May the foot of the proud not reach me; and may the hands of the wicked not make me wander. 36:13 There fell those who commit falsehood; they will be struck down, and will not rise again. (EMC)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Basic-Table CellOverride-6\">\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-2\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-15\" lang=\"en-US\">36:5 \u03ba\u03cd\u03c1\u03b9\u03b5 \u1f10\u03bd \u03c4\u1ff7 \u03bf\u1f50\u03c1\u03b1\u03bd\u1ff7 \u03c4\u1f78 \u1f14\u03bb\u03b5\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f21 \u1f00\u03bb\u03ae\u03b8\u03b5\u03b9\u03ac \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u1f15\u03c9\u03c2 \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u03bd\u03b5\u03c6\u03b5\u03bb\u1ff6\u03bd 36:6 \u1f21 \u03b4\u03b9\u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u1f61\u03c3\u03b5\u1f76 \u1f44\u03c1\u03b7 \u03b8\u03b5\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c4\u1f70 \u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03ac \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u1f04\u03b2\u03c5\u03c3\u03c3\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c0\u03bf\u03bb\u03bb\u03ae \u1f00\u03bd\u03b8\u03c1\u03ce\u03c0\u03bf\u03c5\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03ba\u03c4\u03ae\u03bd\u03b7 \u03c3\u03ce\u03c3\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2 \u03ba\u03cd\u03c1\u03b9\u03b5 36:7 \u1f61\u03c2 \u1f10\u03c0\u03bb\u03ae\u03b8\u03c5\u03bd\u03b1\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f78 \u1f14\u03bb\u03b5\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u1f41 \u03b8\u03b5\u03cc\u03c2 \u03bf\u1f31 \u03b4\u1f72 \u03c5\u1f31\u03bf\u1f76 \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u1f00\u03bd\u03b8\u03c1\u03ce\u03c0\u03c9\u03bd \u1f10\u03bd \u03c3\u03ba\u03ad\u03c0\u1fc3 \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u03c0\u03c4\u03b5\u03c1\u03cd\u03b3\u03c9\u03bd \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u1f10\u03bb\u03c0\u03b9\u03bf\u1fe6\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd 36:8 \u03bc\u03b5\u03b8\u03c5\u03c3\u03b8\u03ae\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u1f00\u03c0\u1f78 \u03c0\u03b9\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03bf\u1f34\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03c4\u1f78\u03bd \u03c7\u03b5\u03b9\u03bc\u03ac\u03c1\u03c1\u03bf\u03c5\u03bd \u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03c4\u03c1\u03c5\u03c6\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c0\u03bf\u03c4\u03b9\u03b5\u1fd6\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u03cd\u03c2 36:9 \u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u1f70 \u03c3\u03bf\u1f76 \u03c0\u03b7\u03b3\u1f74 \u03b6\u03c9\u1fc6\u03c2 \u1f10\u03bd \u03c4\u1ff7 \u03c6\u03c9\u03c4\u03af \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u1f40\u03c8\u03cc\u03bc\u03b5\u03b8\u03b1 \u03c6\u1ff6\u03c2 36:10 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03ac\u03c4\u03b5\u03b9\u03bd\u03bf\u03bd \u03c4\u1f78 \u1f14\u03bb\u03b5\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fd6\u03c2 \u03b3\u03b9\u03bd\u03ce\u03c3\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03af\u03bd \u03c3\u03b5 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u03b4\u03b9\u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7\u03bd \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fd6\u03c2 \u03b5\u1f50\u03b8\u03ad\u03c3\u03b9 \u03c4\u1fc7 \u03ba\u03b1\u03c1\u03b4\u03af\u1fb3 36:11 \u03bc\u1f74 \u1f10\u03bb\u03b8\u03ad\u03c4\u03c9 \u03bc\u03bf\u03b9 \u03c0\u03bf\u1f7a\u03c2 \u1f51\u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u03b7\u03c6\u03b1\u03bd\u03af\u03b1\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03c7\u03b5\u1f76\u03c1 \u1f01\u03bc\u03b1\u03c1\u03c4\u03c9\u03bb\u1ff6\u03bd \u03bc\u1f74 \u03c3\u03b1\u03bb\u03b5\u03cd\u03c3\u03b1\u03b9 \u03bc\u03b5 36:12 \u1f10\u03ba\u03b5\u1fd6 \u1f14\u03c0\u03b5\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd \u03bf\u1f31 \u1f10\u03c1\u03b3\u03b1\u03b6\u03cc\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u1f00\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03af\u03b1\u03bd \u1f10\u03be\u03ce\u03c3\u03b8\u03b7\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03bf\u1f50 \u03bc\u1f74 \u03b4\u03cd\u03bd\u03c9\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c3\u03c4\u1fc6\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-2\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-13\" lang=\"en-US\">Psalmoi \/ Psalms 36<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-2\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-2\" lang=\"en-US\">For the end, by David the servant of the Lord. 36:1 The transgressor, that he may sin, says within himself, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. 36:2 For he has dealt craftily before him, to discover his iniquity and hate it. 36:3 The words of his mouth are transgression and deceit: he is not inclined to understand how to do good. 36:4 He devises iniquity on his bed; he gives himself to every evil way; and does not abhor evil. 36:5 O Lord, thy mercy is in the heaven; and thy truth reaches to the clouds. 36:6 Thy righteousness is as the mountains of God, thy judgments are as a great deep: O Lord, thou wilt preserve men and beasts. 36:7 How hast thou multiplied thy mercy, O God! so the children of men shall trust in the shelter of thy wings. 36:8 They shall be fully satisfied with the fatness of thine house; and thou shalt cause them to drink of the full stream of thy delights. 36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light we shall see light. 36:10 Extend thy mercy to them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. 36:11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of sinners move me. 36:12 There have all the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast out, and shall not be able to stand. (LXX)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> In this week\u2019s study from <\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-5\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:1-12,<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> David opens by describing the ungodly, the wicked man, and sin saying, <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b7\u05de\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b5\u05d7\u05b7 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b6\u05d1\u05b6\u05d3-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05d5\u05b4\u05d3: \u05d1 \u05e0\u05b0\u05d0\u05bb\u05dd-\u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05e2 \u05dc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e2 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05df-\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b6\u05d3 \u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5: <\/span> <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">For the choir director. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord. 36:1 Transgression speaks to the ungodly within his heart; There is no fear of God before his eyes. (NASB)<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> According to David, transgression (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05e2<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) speaks to the heart of the ungodly that results in the ungodly not having a fear of God. Notice how the Hebrew text is written, the Scripture states <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e0\u05b0\u05d0\u05bb\u05dd-\u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05e2 \u05dc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e2 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">, David uses the word Pesha (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05e2<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) to describe <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cfear or fearfulness\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> and that this Pesha (transgression) makes a declaration (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e0\u05b0\u05d0\u05bb\u05dd<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) to the wicked (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05dc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e2<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) in the nearness of his heart (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">). Do you see the significance of this statement that David is making by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit? He is saying that sin speaks in the nearness of one\u2019s heart. The root word for <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cnear\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> is krv (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e7\u05e8\u05d1<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) refers to <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cnearness\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> or <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cintimacy\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> and this is the word in Hebrew that gives us the word korban (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e7\u05e8\u05d1\u05df<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">, sacrifice). A korban (sacrifice) is the means by which one draws near to the Lord. It is within this sense that sin draws near to ones heart, speaking to the ungodly to not fear the Lord. This reminds us of <\/span><a id=\"_idIndexMarker000\"><\/a><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">Parashat Bereshit that states in <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 4:7,<\/span> <span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d6 \u05d4\u05b2\u05dc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05d8\u05b4\u05d9\u05d1 \u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05d0\u05b5\u05ea \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05dd \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05d8\u05b4\u05d9\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05ea\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d7\u05b7\u05d8\u05bc\u05b8\u05d0\u05ea \u05e8\u05b9\u05d1\u05b5\u05e5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05bc\u05e7\u05b8\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9:<\/span> <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cIf you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.\u201d (NIV)<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> In the story of Cain and Abel found in Parashat Bereshit, the sons of Adam and Eve (see <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 4<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">), we read that Abel was a shepherd and Cain was a farmer, and that there came a day when they made an offering to the Lord. According to the narrative, Abel\u2019s offering was accepted and Cain\u2019s was rejected. As Cain sat there, angry and depressed, the Lord appeared to him and asked him, <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cWhy are you angry and depressed? For if you do well you will not be so.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> He then gave Cain a warning, saying, <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cIf you do not do well, sin is crouching at your door; and its desire is to master you, but you must master it.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> Cain didn\u2019t listen to the Lord, this is obvious since he did not bring a sacrifice of blood (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">he gave produce from the land instead<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) and so he did not listen to the word of the Lord in this instance regarding sin. The sin of anger mastered him, and he killed his brother. The Scriptures say that if we do not do what is right, sin is crouching at our door, and if we sit and dwell upon the things that we do not do right, sin is literally crouching at the door waiting to take more from our lives. <\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">Note also that when we are close to someone we say that they are our <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cnearest and dearest,\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> which is a phrase that usually denotes one\u2019s family and friends. This terminology of intimacy is not out of place in David\u2019s discussion of the intimacy experienced in the life of the wicked and sin (transgression). The interesting fact is that we are called to draw <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cnear\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> to God, and there appears to always be something that is fighting to take first place in our lives as a substitute for the Lord. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The Aramaic Targum and the Septuagint say the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-5\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-7\">Aramaic Targum<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-16\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:1-2<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">36:1 For praise. Of the servant of the Lord, David. 36:2 Rebellion said to the sinner within my heart, \u201cThere is no fear of the Lord before his eyes.\u201d (EMC)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-7\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d0 \u05dc\u05e9\u05d1\u05d7\u05d0 \u05dc\u05e2\u05d1\u05d3\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05dc\u05d3\u05d5\u05d3\u05c3 \u05d1 \u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05de\u05e8\u05d3\u05d0 \u05dc\u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05d1\u05d0 \u05d1\u05de\u05e6\u05d9\u05e2\u05d5\u05ea \u05dc\u05d1\u05d1\u05d9 \u05dc\u05d9\u05ea \u05d3\u05d7\u05dc\u05ea\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05dc\u05e7\u05d1\u05d9\u05dc \u05e2\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05d9\u05c3<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-5\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-7\">Septuagint<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-16\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:1<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">For the end, by David the servant of the Lord. 36:1 The transgressor, that he may sin, says within himself, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. (LXX)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">36:1 \u03b5\u1f30\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f78 \u03c4\u03ad\u03bb\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c4\u1ff7 \u03b4\u03bf\u03cd\u03bb\u1ff3 \u03ba\u03c5\u03c1\u03af\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c4\u1ff7 \u03b4\u03b1\u03c5\u03b9\u03b4 (2) \u03c6\u03b7\u03c3\u1f76\u03bd \u1f41 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03ac\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f01\u03bc\u03b1\u03c1\u03c4\u03ac\u03bd\u03b5\u03b9\u03bd \u1f10\u03bd \u1f11\u03b1\u03c5\u03c4\u1ff7 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f14\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd \u03c6\u03cc\u03b2\u03bf\u03c2 \u03b8\u03b5\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f00\u03c0\u03ad\u03bd\u03b1\u03bd\u03c4\u03b9 \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u1f40\u03c6\u03b8\u03b1\u03bb\u03bc\u1ff6\u03bd \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">The rabbis translate David\u2019s words saying <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05de\u05e8\u05d3\u05d0 \u05dc\u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05d1\u05d0 \u05d1\u05de\u05e6\u05d9\u05e2\u05d5\u05ea \u05dc\u05d1\u05d1\u05d9<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> that <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cRebellion said to the guilty in the middle of his heart,\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> translating very similar to the Psalm. The act of rebellion speaks to the guilty to not fear the Lord. The Septuagint states that <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cThe transgressor\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> himself speaks to his heart and says to himself that he can sin because <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cthere is no higher authority whereby he is accountable to\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> since there is no fear of God. The Psalm states <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05df-\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b6\u05d3 \u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> that there is no fear (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05d3<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">, Pakhad) of God and it is interesting that David uses the word Pakhad rather than yare (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d9\u05e8\u05d0<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) to describe the fear of the Lord. It is interesting to note that this word (Pakhad) is not used in the Torah as compared to the word <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cyare.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The Hebrew word <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cyare\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (see <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Strongs H3372<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) carries a number of meanings having both the meaning of being <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cterrified\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> or <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cafraid\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> along with the definition of having <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201creverence\u201d, \u201cawe\u201d, or \u201crespect.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> In Greek, the word phobe\u014d \u03c6\u1f79\u03b2\u03bf\u03c2 (see <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Strongs G5399<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) carries similar meanings of both <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cbeing afraid\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> and <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201chaving reverence or awe.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> Based upon these definitions, we must take words in context in order to determine whether the word is being used in the sense of <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cfear\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> or of <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201creverence?\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> For example, in Parashat Va\u2019etchanan (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) we read in <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 6:13<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d9\u05d2 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9 \u05ea\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05d1\u05b9\u05d3 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05d1\u05b5\u05e2\u05b7:<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) that one should fear the Lord your God, which is clearly referring to having <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cawe, reverence, and respect.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> By comparison, in <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 26:24<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> the Lord God says do not fear, for I am with you. He is clearly saying that we shouldn\u2019t be terrified. It should also be noted that there is a difference between fear (as in <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cfear and trembling\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) and dread. In the book <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Yirat Shamayim: The Awe, Reverence, and Fear of God Edited by Marc Stern; p.21 (Introduction)<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">, Rabbi Soloveichik, states that God requires <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cyirat shamayim,\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> the fear of heaven and not fear as in terror. The Bible never commands us to have pakhad (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05d3<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) for God, but only yare; and the Talmud teaches the idea of <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cyirat shamayim,\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> not <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cpakhad shamayim.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> While Judaism does not advocate pakhad, <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cthe whole Torah in its entirety is based upon the idea of yare.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> With these things in mind, yare is translated fear while pakhad is more accurately translated as <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cdread.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The phrase <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">yirah shamayim<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> is <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cfear of heaven\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> as compared to <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">pakhad shamayim<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">, the <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cdread of heaven.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> This simply provides the example of why pakhad is not used in the Torah, whereas the word <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cyare\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> is used. There is a component of being afraid in the word <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cfear,\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> and there\u2019s not the complete sense of <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cdread\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (pakhad) for God\u2019s children. The interesting thing to note is David\u2019s use of the word pakhad (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05d3<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) of the ungodly who do not fear God and continue in their sin. The wicked does not even have a dread of <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cwhat might happen\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> in the Olam Habah (the world to come). They reason that the Lord will not judge and their sins will not be called into account before a Holy God. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> Transgression continues to speak saying <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d2 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d4\u05b6\u05d7\u05b1\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e7 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05dc\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05e6\u05b9\u05d0 \u05e2\u05b2\u05d5\u05b9\u05e0\u05d5\u05b9 \u05dc\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e0\u05b9\u05d0: \u05d3 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05e4\u05b4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d5\u05b6\u05df \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d7\u05b8\u05d3\u05b7\u05dc \u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc \u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05d8\u05b4\u05d9\u05d1: <\/span> <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">36:2 For it flatters him in his own eyes Concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it. 36:3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. (NASB)<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> It is interesting David uses the Hiphil Perfect 3rd Masculine Singular Verb <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cHekhelik\u201d <\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">(<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d4\u05b6\u05d7\u05b1\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e7<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) saying that when his sin is found out, it is his portion or that it is smooth or flattering <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cunto him\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cin his eyes\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">). This is interesting to note that the ungodly, when their sin is found out, they do not find shame but are flattered (they laugh). Sin is considered their portion in this life. Recently, I have read about a man who gave himself to living righteously according to God\u2019s word and when something bad come upon him, he ended up stating that all of these things that he did, and this bad thing (cancer) comes upon my life, how can I believe in the God of the bible? (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Story taken from a social networking site (Facebook).<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) His next comment was, <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cI missed out on so much fun in life because I tried to live righteously and not live life to the fullest!\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> What exactly does it mean to live life to the fullest? It is impossible to live a righteous life and travel, see the world, water ski, swim, mountain climb, ride four wheelers, dirt bikes, etc? Does a righteous life prevent one from living in these ways? Is his comment based on the idea that he has missed out on <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201chis portion\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> of sin in this life because he chose to live a righteous life instead? Should our desire to live a righteous life be bent towards receiving something from the Lord in Heaven? The desire to live a righteous life should be motivated out of our love for the Lord God Almighty and Yeshua the Messiah and not purely out of a want or desire to receive something from the Lord in this life.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The Aramaic Targum and the Septuagint say the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-5\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-7\">Aramaic Targum<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-16\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:3-4<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">36:3 Because he flatters him with his eyes to find sins, to hate instruction. 36:4 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; he has ceased to be wise in doing good. (EMC)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-8\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\">\u05d2 \u05d0\u05e8\u05d5\u05dd \u05e9\u05e2\u05d9\u05e2 \u05dc\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05d9 \u05dc\u05de\u05e9\u05db\u05d7 \u05d7\u05d5\u05d1\u05d9\u05df \u05dc\u05de\u05d9\u05e1\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05e4\u05e0\u05d0\u05c3 \u05d3 \u05de\u05d9\u05dc\u05d9 \u05e4\u05d5\u05de\u05d9\u05d4 \u05e8\u05d9\u05e9\u05e2\u05d0 \u05d5\u05e0\u05db\u05d9\u05dc\u05d5 \u05e4\u05e1\u05e7 \u05dc\u05de\u05e9\u05db\u05dc \u05dc\u05d0\u05d5\u05d8\u05d1\u05d0\u05c3 <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-5\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-7\">Septuagint<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-16\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:3-4<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">36:2 For he has dealt craftily before him, to discover his iniquity and hate it. 36:3 The words of his mouth are transgression and deceit: he is not inclined to understand how to do good. (LXX)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">36:2 \u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u1f10\u03b4\u03cc\u03bb\u03c9\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd \u1f10\u03bd\u03ce\u03c0\u03b9\u03bf\u03bd \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03b5\u1f51\u03c1\u03b5\u1fd6\u03bd \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u1f00\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03af\u03b1\u03bd \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03bc\u03b9\u03c3\u1fc6\u03c3\u03b1\u03b9 36:3 \u03c4\u1f70 \u1fe5\u03ae\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c3\u03c4\u03cc\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f00\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03af\u03b1 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03b4\u03cc\u03bb\u03bf\u03c2 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f10\u03b2\u03bf\u03c5\u03bb\u03ae\u03b8\u03b7 \u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u03b9\u03ad\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f00\u03b3\u03b1\u03b8\u1fe6\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">It is interesting the rabbis say <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201che flatters him with his eyes to find sins, to hate instruction.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The rebellion that is within looks for and searches to find sin and hates <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cinstruction\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05e4\u05e0\u05d0<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">http:\/\/cal1.cn.huc.edu\/<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">). Note that the rabbis do not use the word Torah to denote instruction and how the wicked hate instruction. The word used here is <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05e4\u05e0\u05d0<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> referring to learning. In <\/span><a id=\"_idIndexMarker001\"><\/a><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Pesikta de Rav Kahana 345.9<\/span> <span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d3\u05dc\u05d9\u05ea \u05d0\u05d9\u05e4\u05e9\u05e8 \u05e0\u05d9\u05e4\u05e7 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea\u05d0 \u05d3\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05e4\u05df<\/span> <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cit is impossible for him to repeat the biblical passage without instruction.\u201d <\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The Jerusalem <\/span><a id=\"_idIndexMarker002\"><\/a><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">Talmud Erubin (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Blendings<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) 21b <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e8\u05f3 \u05d0\u05d7\u05d0 \u05d0\u05de\u05f3 \u05dc\u05d4 \u05de\u05df \u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05e4\u05df \u05e8\u05f3 \u05d9\u05d5\u05e1\u05d9 \u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05dc\u05d4 \u05de\u05df \u05d3\u05d9\u05e2\u05d4<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> said to him, it was from <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201clearning,\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> said to him, it was from <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cknowledge \/ opinion.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> From the Targum Neofiti we read in <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 49:15<\/span> <span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d5\u05d7\u05de\u05d0 \u05de\u05df \u05e9\u05d9\u05e8\u05d5\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d1\u05d9\u05ea \u05de\u05e7\u05d3\u05e9\u05f3 \u05d3\u05d0\u05ea\u05e7\u05e8\u05d9 \u05d1\u05d9\u05ea \u05de\u05e0\u05d5\u05d7\u05f3 \u05d0\u05e8\u05d5\u05dd \u05d8\u05d1 \u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05d5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d0\u05e8\u05e2\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05dc \u05d0\u05e8\u05d5\u05dd \u05e9\u05de\u05d9\u05e0\u05d9\u05df \u05e4\u05e8\u05d9 \u05e9\u05de\u05e0\u05d9\u05df \u05d4\u05e0\u05df \u05e4\u05e8\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d5\u05d0\u05e8\u05db\u05df \u05db\u05ea\u05e4\u05d4 <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text CharOverride-8\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05dc\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05e4\u05df<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\"> \u05d0\u05d5\u05e8\u05d9\u05d9\u05ea\u05d0 \u05d5\u05d4\u05d5\u05d5\u05df \u05dc\u05d4 \u05db\u05dc \u05d0\u05d7\u05d5\u05d9 \u05dc\u05de\u05e1\u05e7\u05d9 \u05de\u05e1\u05d9\u05dd \u05de\u05e1\u05e7\u05d9 \u05e4\u05e8\u05d5\u05e7\u05c3<\/span> <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">49:15 Issakar is an ass in the law; a strong tribe, knowing the order,[5] of the times; and he lieth down between the, limits of his brethren. And he saw the rest of the world to come that it is good, and the portion of the land of Israel that it is pleasant; therefore bowed he his shoulders to labor in the law, and unto him shall come his brethren bearing presents. (Pseudo-Jonathan)<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The rabbis are saying that one needs instruction to repeat the Torah (or Scripture) and it is this kind of instruction or learning that the wicked hate. Note how the Jerusalem Talmud states that one man repeats from learning, another from is own opinion. The rebellion that is within hates instruction and it says that results in the mouth of the unrighteous being full of wickedness and deceit and the man ceases to be wise in doing good. The Septuagint states that the rebellion within acts treacherously (\u1f10\u03b4\u03cc\u03bb\u03c9\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd) before him so as to discover (find out) his iniquity and hate it. Isn\u2019t it interesting that based on the Greek translation, rebellion appears to act separately from the man in the sense of keeping him from seeing his own iniquity and hating what he does? Because of his rebellion, he does not understand good or how to live in righteousness and his rebellion in and of itself causes him to never learn how to be obedient to God\u2019s word. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> David says these unrighteous persons plan wickedness <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d4 \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d9\u05d9\u05df \u05d4\u05d9\u05da \u05de\u05d5\u05d6\u05d0 \u05e7\u05d3\u05dd \u05d6\u05e2\u05e4\u05d0 \u05d5\u05de\u05dc\u05d0\u05db\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05d3\u05d7\u05d9\u05c3<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\"> 36:4 He plans wickedness upon his bed; He sets himself on a path that is not good; He does not despise evil. (NASB)<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The wicked have sin constantly upon their minds to do evil and not good. The Aramaic Targum and the Septuagint say essentially the same thing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-5\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-7\">Aramaic Targum<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-6\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-16\" lang=\"en-US\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:5<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-6\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\" lang=\"en-US\">36:5 Wickedness plots on his bed; he will take his stand in a way not good; he will not reject evil. (EMC)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-8\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\">\u05d4 \u05e8\u05d9\u05e9\u05e2\u05d0 \u05d7\u05e9\u05d9\u05dc \u05d7\u05e9\u05d9\u05d1 \u05e2\u05dc \u05e9\u05d9\u05d5\u05d5\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d9\u05ea\u05e2\u05ea\u05d3 \u05e2\u05dc \u05d0\u05d5\u05e8\u05d7 \u05d3\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d8\u05d1 \u05d1\u05d9\u05e9 \u05dc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05e8\u05d7\u05e7\u05c3<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-5\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-7\">Septuagint<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-6\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-16\" lang=\"en-US\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:5<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-6\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\" lang=\"en-US\">36:4 He devises iniquity on his bed; he gives himself to every evil way; and does not abhor evil. (LXX)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">36:4 \u1f00\u03bd\u03bf\u03bc\u03af\u03b1\u03bd \u03b4\u03b9\u03b5\u03bb\u03bf\u03b3\u03af\u03c3\u03b1\u03c4\u03bf \u1f10\u03c0\u1f76 \u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03ba\u03bf\u03af\u03c4\u03b7\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u03ad\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7 \u03c0\u03ac\u03c3\u1fc3 \u1f41\u03b4\u1ff7 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u1f00\u03b3\u03b1\u03b8\u1fc7 \u03c4\u1fc7 \u03b4\u1f72 \u03ba\u03b1\u03ba\u03af\u1fb3 \u03bf\u1f50 \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c3\u03ce\u03c7\u03b8\u03b9\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">As the children of God we are to abhor, reject, and despise evil.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> David contrasts the ungodly by next describing the faithfulness of God saying <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d5 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d7\u05b7\u05e1\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05e2\u05b7\u05d3-\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd: \u05d6 \u05e6\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05e7\u05b8\u05ea\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 | \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05d8\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05e8\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05d4\u05b5\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05e2\u05b7 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4: <\/span> <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">36:5 Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 36:6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your judgments are like a great deep. O Lord, You preserve man and beast. (NASB)<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> Notice something interesting here in <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:5<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">, the verse can be divided into two parts.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-8\">Part 1<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-9\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text CharOverride-8\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\"> \u05d7\u05b7\u05e1\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05da<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-9\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-8\">Part 2<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-10\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05e2\u05b7\u05d3-<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text CharOverride-8\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-9\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Your faithfulness reaches to the skies<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">Here David contrasts the <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201clovingkindness\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (grace) of God in Heaven (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">), verses the <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cfaithfulness\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> of God in the sky (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">). Is David trying to contrast something here? What can we say regarding this contrast? David appears to be separating God\u2019s <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cGrace\u201d <\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">in Heaven from His <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cFaithfulness\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> in the sky or the clouds or on Earth. The way David writes this sentence in the Psalm suggests that the mercy of God is very exalted; to the very heavens (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">), as high as the highest object of which man can conceive, even to the Heaven where God\u2019s throne sits. The mercy of the Lord is in the heavens being a description possible of the abundant and infinite mercy and grace that He extends to His people. For the ungodly, God\u2019s mercy should lead them to repentance and to seek the Lord for the forgiveness of sins. Part 2 states that Your faithfulness reaches unto the clouds (skies) <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e2\u05d3 \u05e9\u05d7\u05e7\u05d9\u05dd<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (ad shechakim), His faithfulness, His blessings from the heavens, from the clouds, from the earth, are promised by God to his followers and therefore His faithfulness is to be extended unto all those places, to His people, the mercies He has promised according to the Scriptures. The faithfulness that reach <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cunto the clouds\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> provides us with the imagery of the clouds which are among the highest objects raising above the loftiest trees and mountains and thus gives the idea again as in Part 1 of the verse that God\u2019s faithfulness is elevated or exalted above all else. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> It is interesting that <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:6<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">, the verse can be divided into two parts similar to <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">36:5<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-8\">Part 1<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-9\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e6\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05e7\u05b8\u05ea\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 | \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-9\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Your righteousness is like the mountains of God<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-8\">Part 2<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-10\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05d8\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05e8\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05d4\u05b5\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05e2\u05b7 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-9\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Your judgments are like a great deep. O Lord, You preserve man and beast.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">Here David again elevates the righteousness of God to the mountains but here he says God\u2019s righteousness is like <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cthe mountains of God\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">). What are the mountains of God? Can you think of any examples from the Torah? According to the Book of Exodus, Mount Sinai (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d4\u05e8 \u05e1\u05d9\u05e0\u05d9<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">, Har Sinai) is the mountain at which the Ten Commandments were given to Moshe by God. It is interesting that performing a search on the word <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e1\u05d9\u05e0\u05d9<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (Sinai) results are produced mentioning the name in Shemot \/ Exodus, Vayikra \/ Leviticus, and Bamidbar \/ Numbers but not in the book of Devarim \/ Deuteronomy. In the Book of Deuteronomy, Moshe describes these events as having transpired at Mount Horeb. (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Note the Documentation hypothesis and the difference between the Yawehists and Elohists arguements.<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) Horeb was the name for the mountain complex of which Mount Sinai was one of the summits. Studying the Scriptures, the Mountain of God is said to be the mountain of Horeb, the mountain of Sinai and the mountain of Paran, all of which are names for the mountain of Sinai. The Wilderness or Desert of Paran is said to be the place where Abraham\u2019s servant Hagar and their first-born son Ishmael were sent into exile from Abraham\u2019s dwelling in Beersheba (see <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 21<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><a id=\"_idIndexMarker003\"><\/a><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-16\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 21:19-22<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Then God opened her [Hagar\u2019s] eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">Paran is mentioned in the Book of Bamidbar \/ Numbers as a place where the Israelites temporarily settled during the Exodus. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><a id=\"_idIndexMarker004\"><\/a><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-16\">Bamidbar \/ Numbers 10:12<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Then the Israelites set out from the Desert of Sinai and traveled from place to place until the cloud came to rest in the Desert of Paran.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">Paran is again mentioned in the opening lines of the Book of Devarim \/ Deuteronomy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><a id=\"_idIndexMarker005\"><\/a><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-16\">Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 1:1<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in the desert beyond the Jordan&#8211;that is, in the Arabah&#8211;opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth and Dizahab. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><a id=\"_idIndexMarker006\"><\/a><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-16\">Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 33:2<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">He said: \u201cThe LORD came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir; he shone forth from Mount Paran. He came with myriads of holy ones, from his right hand went a fiery law for them.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">King David spent some time in the wilderness of Paran after Samuel died (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">1 Samuel, 25:1<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) and <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">1 Kings 11:17-18<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> states that when Hadad the Edomite fled from Edom to Egypt, he passed through Midian and Paran on the way to Egypt. This has led some commentators to suggest the possibility that Paran was a place on the way to Egypt from Edom and Midian. It is not certain precisely where the wilderness of Paran is to be located and it is often associated with Mount Sinai. David appears to be drawing a parallel to the loftiness of the mountain of God and the righteousness of God. Remember the mountain of Sinai, no man or beast is to come approaching the mountain or he will die (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">i.e. read <\/span><a id=\"_idIndexMarker007\"><\/a><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Parashat Ki Tisa<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">). God\u2019s righteousness, no man may achieve the level of righteousness that God requires of us. Therefore we are to trust in His righteousness and not in our own. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> David then states that the judgments (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05d8\u05b6\u05da\u05b8<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) are like the great deep (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05e8\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">), and the Lord preserves man and beast. It is interesting how David uses the word rabbah (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e8\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) rather than gedolah (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d2\u05d3\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) to describe the <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cgreatness of the deep.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The use of the word rabbah describes <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cmany\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> and the judgment of God is many for those who do not obey his Torah. Here David appears to be paralleling the salvation of God with the flood of Noah. The waters covered the earth because of the judgment of God on sin and both man and beast died, yet He (God) preserved both man and beast from His judgment in Noah\u2019s ark. When David said <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cYou preserve man and beast\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> he says literally, <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cYHVH will save\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05e2\u05b7 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) He is saving from destruction. The idea is, that the Lord keeps both man and beast alive. Life continues because He is the sustainer of all life. David utilizes the illustration of what he had just said about the <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cgreatness\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> of God in His mercy, grace, faithfulness, and righteousness in His ability to sustain life as we know it today.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The Aramaic Targum and the Septuagint say the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-5\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-7\">Aramaic Targum<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-16\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:6-7<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">36:6 O Lord, your goodness is in the heaven of heavens, your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 36:7 Your righteousness is as high as the great mountains; your judgments are as deep as the great abyss; you will redeem both the sons of men and beasts, O Lord. (EMC)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-8\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\">\u05d5 \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05d1\u05e9\u05de\u05d9 \u05e9\u05de\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05da \u05d4\u05d9\u05de\u05e0\u05d5\u05ea\u05da \u05e2\u05d3 \u05e9\u05d7\u05e7\u05d9\u05c3 \u05d6 \u05e6\u05d3\u05e7\u05ea\u05da \u05d0\u05dc\u05d4\u05d0 \u05e8\u05de\u05d0 \u05d4\u05d9\u05da \u05d8\u05d5\u05e8\u05d9\u05d9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05e7\u05d9\u05e4\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d9\u05e0\u05da \u05e2\u05de\u05d9\u05e7\u05d9\u05df \u05d4\u05d9\u05da \u05ea\u05d4\u05d5\u05de\u05d0 \u05e8\u05d1\u05d0 \u05d1\u05e0\u05d9 \u05e0\u05e9\u05d0 \u05d5\u05d1\u05e2\u05d9\u05e8\u05d0 \u05ea\u05e4\u05e8\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4\u05c3<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-5\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-7\">Septuagint<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-16\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:5-6<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">36:5 O Lord, thy mercy is in the heaven; and thy truth reaches to the clouds. 36:6 Thy righteousness is as the mountains of God, thy judgments are as a great deep: O Lord, thou wilt preserve men and beasts. (LXX)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">36:5 \u03ba\u03cd\u03c1\u03b9\u03b5 \u1f10\u03bd \u03c4\u1ff7 \u03bf\u1f50\u03c1\u03b1\u03bd\u1ff7 \u03c4\u1f78 \u1f14\u03bb\u03b5\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f21 \u1f00\u03bb\u03ae\u03b8\u03b5\u03b9\u03ac \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u1f15\u03c9\u03c2 \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u03bd\u03b5\u03c6\u03b5\u03bb\u1ff6\u03bd 36:6 \u1f21 \u03b4\u03b9\u03ba\u03b1\u03b9\u03bf\u03c3\u03cd\u03bd\u03b7 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u1f61\u03c3\u03b5\u1f76 \u1f44\u03c1\u03b7 \u03b8\u03b5\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03c4\u1f70 \u03ba\u03c1\u03af\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03ac \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u1f04\u03b2\u03c5\u03c3\u03c3\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c0\u03bf\u03bb\u03bb\u03ae \u1f00\u03bd\u03b8\u03c1\u03ce\u03c0\u03bf\u03c5\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03ba\u03c4\u03ae\u03bd\u03b7 \u03c3\u03ce\u03c3\u03b5\u03b9\u03c2 \u03ba\u03cd\u03c1\u03b9\u03b5<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">The Aramaic Targum states literally <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cYHVH in the heaven of heavens is your goodness\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05d1\u05e9\u05de\u05d9 \u05e9\u05de\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05da<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) and the faithfulness of God reaches to the skies (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d4\u05d9\u05de\u05e0\u05d5\u05ea\u05da \u05e2\u05d3 \u05e9\u05d7\u05e7\u05d9<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">), the rabbis use the same words to describe David\u2019s words in their Aramaic translation. They continue saying <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e6\u05d3\u05e7\u05ea\u05da \u05d0\u05dc\u05d4\u05d0 \u05e8\u05de\u05d0 \u05d4\u05d9\u05da \u05d8\u05d5\u05e8\u05d9\u05d9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05e7\u05d9\u05e4\u05d9\u05d0<\/span> <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cthe righteousness of God is in the manner of a strong mountain.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> They say that the Lord redeems (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05ea\u05e4\u05e8\u05d5\u05e7<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">, ransoms) both the sons if men and beasts. The Septuagint has the basic interpretation of the modern translations today (NASB), the mercy of God is in the heavens and His truth (faithfulness) reaches to the clouds, His righteousness is as the mountains of God, etc.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> David continues to describe the grace of God saying <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d7 \u05de\u05b7\u05d4-\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u05b8\u05e8 \u05d7\u05b7\u05e1\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e6\u05b5\u05dc \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05e4\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d9\u05b6\u05d7\u05b1\u05e1\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5\u05bc\u05df: \u05d8 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05bb\u05df \u05de\u05b4\u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05df \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05dc \u05e2\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05ea\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e7\u05b5\u05dd: \u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05e2\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05de\u05b0\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05e0\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05d4-\u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8: <\/span> <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">36:7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. 36:8 They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights. 36:9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. (NASB)<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> David describes the <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201clovingkindness\u201d <\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">of God as being very <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cprecious\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u05b8\u05e8<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">). Note that this word for lovingkindness is translated as the <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cgrace\u201d <\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">and <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cmercy\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> of God. The word used for <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cprecious\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u05b8\u05e8<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) is one that is applied to precious stones (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">1 Kings 10:2, 1 Kings 10:10-11<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) and the more costly kind of stones utilized in building, such as marble (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">2 Chronicles 3:6<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">). The word <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u05b8\u05e8<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> is used for anything that is costly or valuable. Therefore, the grace, mercy, and lovingkindness of God is to be understood as being equal to the value set on the most rare, costly, and precious of things. The imagery that David uses in <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:8-9<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">, drinking to one\u2019s fill, the abundance of God\u2019s house, the river of God\u2019s delights, the fountain of life and the light that only the Lord himself shows forth are descriptions that come right out of the Torah and the wilderness journey. The Lord provided rivers of running waters for the children of Israel when they were thirsty. The Lord is known as the source of light and life and David describes the preciousness of God\u2019s mercy within that context. The Aramaic Targum and the Septuagint agree on David\u2019s use of the Torah to describe the mercy of God.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-5\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-7\">Aramaic Targum<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-16\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:8-10<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">36:8 How precious is your goodness, O Lord; and the sons of men will dwell securely in the shadow of your presence. 36:9 They will drink deeply of the plenteous blessings of your house; and you will let them drink of your pleasant fountain. 36:10 For with you are streams of living water; in the splendor of your glory we will see light. (EMC)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-7\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d7 \u05db\u05de\u05d4 \u05d9\u05e7\u05e8 \u05d9\u05e7\u05d9\u05e8 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05da \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05d5\u05d1\u05e0\u05d9 \u05e0\u05e9\u05d0 \u05d1\u05d8\u05dc\u05dc \u05e9\u05db\u05d9\u05e0\u05ea\u05da \u05d9\u05e9{\u05d5}\u05e8\u05d5\u05df \u05dc\u05e8\u05d5\u05d7\u05e6\u05df\u05c3 \u05d8 \u05d9\u05ea\u05e8\u05d5\u05d5\u05d9\u05d5\u05df \u05de\u05d3\u05d4\u05df \u05d1\u05e8\u05db\u05ea\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d1\u05d9\u05ea\u05da \u05d5\u05de\u05d1\u05d5\u05e2 \u05d1\u05e1\u05d9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea\u05da \u05ea\u05e9\u05e7\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05df\u05c3 \u05d9 \u05d0\u05e8\u05d5\u05dd \u05e2\u05de\u05da \u05d8\u05d9\u05e4\u05d9 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d5\u05e4\u05d9 \u05de\u05d9\u05d9\u05df \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05df \u05d1\u05d6\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d1\u05d3\u05d9\u05dc \u05e0\u05d4\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d9\u05e7\u05e8\u05da \u05e0\u05d7\u05de\u05d9 \u05e0\u05d4\u05d5\u05e8\u05d0 \u05d0\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4\u05c3<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-5\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-7\">Septuagint<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-16\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:8-10<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">36:7 How hast thou multiplied thy mercy, O God! so the children of men shall trust in the shelter of thy wings. 36:8 They shall be fully satisfied with the fatness of thine house; and thou shalt cause them to drink of the full stream of thy delights. 36:9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light we shall see light. (LXX)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">36:7 \u1f61\u03c2 \u1f10\u03c0\u03bb\u03ae\u03b8\u03c5\u03bd\u03b1\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f78 \u1f14\u03bb\u03b5\u03cc\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u1f41 \u03b8\u03b5\u03cc\u03c2 \u03bf\u1f31 \u03b4\u1f72 \u03c5\u1f31\u03bf\u1f76 \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u1f00\u03bd\u03b8\u03c1\u03ce\u03c0\u03c9\u03bd \u1f10\u03bd \u03c3\u03ba\u03ad\u03c0\u1fc3 \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u03c0\u03c4\u03b5\u03c1\u03cd\u03b3\u03c9\u03bd \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u1f10\u03bb\u03c0\u03b9\u03bf\u1fe6\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd 36:8 \u03bc\u03b5\u03b8\u03c5\u03c3\u03b8\u03ae\u03c3\u03bf\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u1f00\u03c0\u1f78 \u03c0\u03b9\u03cc\u03c4\u03b7\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03bf\u1f34\u03ba\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03c4\u1f78\u03bd \u03c7\u03b5\u03b9\u03bc\u03ac\u03c1\u03c1\u03bf\u03c5\u03bd \u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03c4\u03c1\u03c5\u03c6\u1fc6\u03c2 \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u03c0\u03bf\u03c4\u03b9\u03b5\u1fd6\u03c2 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u03cd\u03c2 36:9 \u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u03c0\u03b1\u03c1\u1f70 \u03c3\u03bf\u1f76 \u03c0\u03b7\u03b3\u1f74 \u03b6\u03c9\u1fc6\u03c2 \u1f10\u03bd \u03c4\u1ff7 \u03c6\u03c9\u03c4\u03af \u03c3\u03bf\u03c5 \u1f40\u03c8\u03cc\u03bc\u03b5\u03b8\u03b1 \u03c6\u1ff6\u03c2<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">Note how the rabbis say, according to the Septuagint, <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">36:8 They shall be fully satisfied with the fatness of thine house&#8230;<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> making a reference to the house of the Lord and the fat. It is interesting, according to <\/span><a id=\"_idIndexMarker008\"><\/a><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">Parashat Tzav, we read in <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Vayikra \/ Leviticus 7:1 \u2018Now this is the law of the guilt offering; it is most holy. (NASB) <\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">In the book of Vayikra \/ Leviticus, the five major Korbanot (offerings) are described as being <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cmost holy\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> as we see here in <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Vayikra \/ Leviticus 7:1<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> and the detailing of the guilt offering. There are two major components of the guilt offering:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li class=\"Numbered-list\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">Slaying of the animal taking its blood and sprinkling it upon the altar (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">7:2<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) <\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Numbered-list\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">Offering all its fat upon the altar, including the fat on the tail, the fat that covers the entrails (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">7:3<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) and the fat that is upon the kidneys and the liver. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">It is interesting that in Hebrew the word for <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cfat\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> is <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e9\u05d5\u05de\u05df<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> meaning <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cfat, grease, fatness,\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> the root word for fat in the Hebrew bible is <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d7\u05dc\u05d1<\/span> <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201ckhelev\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> meaning <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201ctallow, fat, lard\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> where the Hebrew root <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d7\u05dc\u05d1<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> may also have the meaning <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cmilk\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> depending upon the context and its usage. It is interesting to study the command to offer the fat upon the altar for the Asham Korban (Guilt Offering) and why the fat is commanded to be offered upon the altar above the other types of meat in the body of the sacrificial animal. Fat is described in the bible as being the choicest part of the animal to be offered upon the altar for the Asham (guilt) offering before the lord, according to the verses found in <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Shemot \/ Exodus chapters 23 and 29, Vayikra \/ Leviticus chapters 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 16, and 17, Bamidbar \/ Numbers chapter 18, Devarim \/ Deuteronomy chapter 32. <\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">These verses specify the fat is the portion of the animal that are essential to be burned upon the altar before God. Additional verses from the Neviim (Prophets) attest to the importance of the fat of the sacrifices, (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Judges 3:22, 1 Samuel 2:15-16, and 15:22, 1 Kings 8:64, Isaiah 1:11, 34:6, 43:24, and 34:6, and Ezekiel 34:3, 44:7, and 44:15, 2 Chronicles 7:7, 29:35, and 35:14<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">). According to the scriptures, whether literally or figuratively, the fat is a reference to the richest or choice part of the animal and the rabbis choose to say that <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">36:8 They shall be fully satisfied with the fatness of thine house&#8230;<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> indicating that the Lord Himself is the choicest part of life and spending time with Him. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> David concludes his Psalm saying <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d9\u05d0 \u05de\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b9\u05da\u05b0 \u05d7\u05b7\u05e1\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b9\u05d3\u05b0\u05e2\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e6\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05e7\u05b8\u05ea\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05dc\u05b5\u05d1: \u05d9\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9\u05d0\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e8\u05b6\u05d2\u05b6\u05dc \u05d2\u05bc\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05d3-\u05e8\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d3\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9: \u05d9\u05d2 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dd \u05e0\u05b8\u05e4\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05e4\u05bc\u05b9\u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d5\u05b6\u05df \u05d3\u05bc\u05b9\u05d7\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05d9\u05b8\u05db\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05e7\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd:<\/span> <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">36:10 O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart. 36:11 Let not the foot of pride come upon me, And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away. 36:12 There the doers of iniquity have fallen; They have been thrust down and cannot rise. (NASB)<\/span> <span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> Note how David asks for the Lord to continue His lovingkindness, mercy, grace, to those who <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cknow\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> Him and His righteousness to the upright in heart. David uses the word <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b9\u05d3\u05b0\u05e2\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (root yodea, <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d9\u05d3\u05e2<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) to describe the kind of intimate relationship that God\u2019s children have with Him. It appears that David concludes with asking the Lord to extend his lovingkindness and righteousness to the upright. This being the case, the foot of pride of the unrighteous will not come upon David, and that the wicked will not be able to drive David away. Those who work iniquity will fall, they will not be able to rise. The Lord is the sustainer and giver of all life and when the wicked fall by their iniquity, they will not be able to raise because they will not have the help of the Lord God Almighty. Based upon what David is saying, it appears that he is concluding the Psalm with a \u201cfaith\u201d prayer. He is describing the events of that will occur to the wicked, as if his prayer had already been granted. He has a strong confidence in the Lord, in God\u2019s faithfulness, mercy, and His promises. Lord, may we all have this kind of faith as we pray and seek You! Let\u2019s Pray! .<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"CharOverride-17\">Rabbinic Commentary<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"CharOverride-18\"> The Rabbinic Commentary (Midrash) on <\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-19\">Tehillim \/ Psalms <\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-20\">36<\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-18\"> has <\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-21\">8<\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-18\"> part<\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-18\">s<\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-18\">. Reading through th<\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-21\">e<\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-18\"> Midrash we will be looking at Part <\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-21\">1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8<\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-18\">. Let\u2019s begin by outlining <\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-19\">Midrash Tehillim Chapter <\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-19\">3<\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-20\">6<\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-19\">, Part <\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-20\">1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-1\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-7\">Outline of Midrash Tehillim \/ Psalms, Chapter 36, Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"CharOverride-17\">Part <\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-22\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The Midrash introduces the Psalm with the <span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d3\u05d9\u05d1\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d4\u05de\u05ea\u05d7\u05d9\u05dc<\/span> (Dibur Hamathil) saying <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cTo the Lord of victories, A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord (Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:1).\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The <span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e4\u05ea\u05d9\u05d7\u05ea\u05d0<\/span> (Petihta) <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cthe homiletic introduction\u201d<\/span> to the Midrash says <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201c<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-5\">The phrase Lord of victories is to be considered in the light of the verse Happy are you, O Israel, who is like you? A people saved by the Lord (Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 33:29).<\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05de\u05e9\u05dc<\/span> (mashal) <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cthe parable,\u201d<\/span> goes on to explain the <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05e4\u05ea\u05d9\u05d7\u05ea\u05d0<\/span> (Petihta), the rabbis go on to expand upon how the Lord wages Israel\u2019s wars but the victory is ascribed to Israel.<\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05e0\u05de\u05e9\u05dc<\/span> (Nimshal) <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cexpansion on the parable\u201d <\/span>expands upon the <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05de\u05e9\u05dc<\/span> (mashal), the rabbis take examples from Moshe and the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, Deborah and Barak in Judges, and David and Goliath<\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The Concluding phrase says <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cThereupon, the Holy One blessed be He, said to David, You ascribe the victory to Me, but I will ascribe the victory to you, saying for the man of victories, for David the servant of the Lord (Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:1).\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"CharOverride-17\">Part <\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-22\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The Midrash introduces the Psalm with the <span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d3\u05d9\u05d1\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d4\u05de\u05ea\u05d7\u05d9\u05dc<\/span> (Dibur Hamathil) saying <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cThe transgression of the wicked utters its oracle, There is no fear of God before his eyes (Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:2).\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The <span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e4\u05ea\u05d9\u05d7\u05ea\u05d0<\/span> (Petihta) <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cthe homiletic introduction\u201d<\/span> to the Midrash says <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201c<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-5\">When David looked at Goliath the Philistine&#8230;<\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05de\u05e9\u05dc<\/span> (mashal) <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cthe parable,\u201d<\/span> goes on to explain the <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05e4\u05ea\u05d9\u05d7\u05ea\u05d0<\/span> (Petihta), the rabbis discuss David\u2019s words of the wicked who utter their words without fear of God.<\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05e0\u05de\u05e9\u05dc<\/span> (Nimshal) <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cexpansion on the parable\u201d <\/span>expands upon the <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05de\u05e9\u05dc<\/span> (mashal), the rabbis go on to expand upon the parable with the example of David and Goliath where Goliath did not have a fear of God when he reviled Israel.<\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The Concluding phrase says <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cYou found that the Holy One blessed be He, also said to Israel, Your own wickedness will punish you when My fear is not in you (Jeremiah 2:19). Hence David said, The transgression of the wicked utters its oracle, There is no fear of God before his eyes.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"CharOverride-17\">Part <\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-22\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The Midrash introduces the Psalm with the <span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d3\u05d9\u05d1\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d4\u05de\u05ea\u05d7\u05d9\u05dc<\/span> (Dibur Hamathil) saying <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cFor it flatters him in his eyes, to find an iniquity that will be hated (Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:3).\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The <span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e4\u05ea\u05d9\u05d7\u05ea\u05d0<\/span> (Petihta) <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cthe homiletic introduction\u201d<\/span> to the Midrash says <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201c<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-5\">The wicked glance about with their eyes and feel about with their hands and scheme at their hearts to find that special sin which the Holy One blessed be He, hates that they might commit it.<\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05de\u05e9\u05dc<\/span> (mashal) <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cthe parable,\u201d<\/span> goes on to explain the <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05e4\u05ea\u05d9\u05d7\u05ea\u05d0<\/span> (Petihta), the rabbis discuss David\u2019s words regarding the wicked whose thoughts are always on performing evil deeds.<\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05e0\u05de\u05e9\u05dc<\/span> (Nimshal) <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cexpansion on the parable\u201d <\/span>expands upon the <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05de\u05e9\u05dc<\/span> (mashal), the rabbis go on to expand upon the parable to describe the wicked who forsake the good way and walk in the evil way.<\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The Concluding phrase says <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cSo Solomon described the wicked as men who forsake the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; who rejoice to do evil (Mishley \/ Proverbs 2:12). Hence, it is written he sets himself in a way that is not good.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"CharOverride-17\">Part <\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-22\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The Midrash introduces the Psalm with the <span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d3\u05d9\u05d1\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d4\u05de\u05ea\u05d7\u05d9\u05dc<\/span> (Dibur Hamathil) saying <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cYour loving kindness, O Lord is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches unto the skies (Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:6).\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The <span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e4\u05ea\u05d9\u05d7\u05ea\u05d0<\/span> (Petihta) <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cthe homiletic introduction\u201d<\/span> to the Midrash says <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201c<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-5\">Is the loving kindness of the Lord in the heavens? <\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05de\u05e9\u05dc<\/span> (mashal) <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cthe parable,\u201d<\/span> goes on to explain the <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05e4\u05ea\u05d9\u05d7\u05ea\u05d0<\/span> (Petihta), the rabbis discuss David\u2019s words concerning the lovingkindness of God in heaven.<\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05e0\u05de\u05e9\u05dc<\/span> (Nimshal) <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cexpansion on the parable\u201d <\/span>expands upon the <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05de\u05e9\u05dc<\/span> (mashal), the rabbis go on to expand upon the lovingkindness of God and whether it be in heaven or upon the earth.<\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The Concluding phrase says <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cHence it is said Your loving kindness, O Lord, is in the heavens.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"CharOverride-17\">Part <\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-22\">6<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The Midrash introduces the Psalm with the <span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d3\u05d9\u05d1\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d4\u05de\u05ea\u05d7\u05d9\u05dc<\/span> (Dibur Hamathil) saying <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cFor with You is the fountain of life; in Your light will we see light (Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:10).\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The <span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e4\u05ea\u05d9\u05d7\u05ea\u05d0<\/span> (Petihta) <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cthe homiletic introduction\u201d<\/span> to the Midrash says <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201c<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-5\">Rabbi Johanan said, It happened that a man lighted a lamp which went out, and each time he lighted it, it went out, until at last the man said, How long will I keep tiring myself with this lamp?<\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05de\u05e9\u05dc<\/span> (mashal) <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cthe parable,\u201d<\/span> goes on to explain the <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05e4\u05ea\u05d9\u05d7\u05ea\u05d0<\/span> (Petihta), the rabbis begin directly with a parable of the man who lights a lamp and parallel the lighting of the lamp, walking in the light of the Lord, with being enslaved by the nations.<\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05e0\u05de\u05e9\u05dc<\/span> (Nimshal) <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cexpansion on the parable\u201d <\/span>expands upon the <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05de\u05e9\u05dc<\/span> (mashal), the rabbis go on to expand upon the parallel of the light, and enslaving by the nations giving examples from the book of Daniel, and Esther.<\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The Concluding phrase says <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cMoreover, a time will come when the mountains will lead in the singing of Israel\u2019s songs, for it is said Kenaniah will be chief of the Levites, and will be first in song (1 Chronicles 15:22). The word Kenaniah is to be read that which was established by the Lord, for the word comes from the same stem as nakon (established), which occurs in the verse The mountain of the Lord\u2019s house will be established (nakon).\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"CharOverride-17\">Part <\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-22\">8<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The Midrash introduces the Psalm with the <span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d3\u05d9\u05d1\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d4\u05de\u05ea\u05d7\u05d9\u05dc<\/span> (Dibur Hamathil) saying <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cAnother comment on O continue Your lovingkindness unto them that know You.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The <span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e4\u05ea\u05d9\u05d7\u05ea\u05d0<\/span> (Petihta) <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cthe homiletic introduction\u201d<\/span> to the Midrash says <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201c<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-5\">Rabbi Isaac said, One generation passes away, and another generation comes (Ecclesiastes 1:4), One nation comes and another nation goes; But the land abides forever.<\/span><span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05de\u05e9\u05dc<\/span> (mashal) <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cthe parable,\u201d<\/span> goes on to explain the <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05e4\u05ea\u05d9\u05d7\u05ea\u05d0<\/span> (Petihta), the rabbis discuss David\u2019s words and the land of Israel.<\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05e0\u05de\u05e9\u05dc<\/span> (Nimshal) <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cexpansion on the parable\u201d <\/span>expands upon the <span class=\"CharOverride-9\">\u05de\u05e9\u05dc<\/span> (mashal), the rabbis go on to expand upon the land of Israel and draw a parallel to the land as a reference to the Children of Israel.<\/li>\n<li class=\"Bulleted-List ParaOverride-12\">The Concluding phrase says <span class=\"CharOverride-5\">\u201cAfter the Temple was destroyed, when the children of Israel went forth to war, they would say, There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger for my iniquities are gone over my head (Tehillim \/ Psalms 38:4).\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 1 opens with the Dibur Hamathil (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d3\u05d9\u05d1\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d4\u05de\u05ea\u05d7\u05d9\u05dc<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) saying <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cTo the Lord of victories, A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord (Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:1).\u201d<\/span> <span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The homiletic introduction to the Midrash states <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cThe phrase Lord of victories is to be considered in the light of the verse Happy are you, O Israel, who is like you? A people saved by the Lord (Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 33:29).\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The rabbis continue saying the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">The Holy One blessed be He, wages Israel\u2019s wars, but victory is ascribed to Israel. Thus, Scripture says, In all the signs and wonders and in all the mighty hand, and in all the great terror, which Moshe wrought (Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 34:11-12), here it is not written, Which the Lord wrought, but which Moshe wrought. (Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 1) <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-13\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\">\u05d4\u05e7\u05d1\u05f4\u05d4 \u05e2\u05d5\u05e9\u05d4 \u05de\u05dc\u05d7\u05de\u05ea\u05df \u05e9\u05dc \u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05dc, \u05d5\u05d4\u05e0\u05e6\u05d7\u05d5\u05df \u05e9\u05dc\u05d4\u05df, \u05d5\u05db\u05df \u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 \u05dc\u05db\u05dc \u05d4\u05d0\u05d5\u05ea\u05d5\u05ea \u05d5\u05d4\u05de\u05d5\u05e4\u05ea\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05d2\u05d5\u05f3 \u05d5\u05dc\u05db\u05dc \u05d4\u05d9\u05d3 \u05d4\u05d7\u05d6\u05e7\u05d4 \u05d5\u05d2\u05d5\u05f3 \u05d0\u05e9\u05e8 \u05e2\u05e9\u05d4 \u05de\u05e9\u05d4 (\u05e9\u05dd \u05d3\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05d3 \u05d9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05d1), \u05d0\u05e9\u05e8 \u05e2\u05e9\u05d4 \u05d4\u05f3 \u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05db\u05ea\u05d9\u05d1 \u05db\u05d0\u05df, \u05d0\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d0\u05e9\u05e8 \u05e2\u05e9\u05d4 \u05de\u05e9\u05d4<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">It is interesting the midrash speaks of the victories of the Lord and then provide an example that the victory that is the Lord\u2019s is ascribed to someone else. The proof text that is given of this is from <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 34:10-12<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><a id=\"_idIndexMarker009\"><\/a><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-16\">Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 34:10-12<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">34:10 Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 34:11 for all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land, 34:12 and for all the mighty power and for all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel. (NASB)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-7\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\"> \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05e7\u05b8\u05dd \u05e0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d0 \u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05e2\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd: \u05d9\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b9\u05ea \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e4\u05b0\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d7\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b9\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05e4\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b9\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc-\u05e2\u05b2\u05d1\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d0\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e6\u05d5\u05b9: \u05d9\u05d1 \u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05d3 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05d6\u05b8\u05e7\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d2\u05bc\u05b8\u05d3\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05d4 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">Note how the Hebrew text is written <\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05d3 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05d6\u05b8\u05e7\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d2\u05bc\u05b8\u05d3\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05d4 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc<\/span> <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cand all the hand of power, and all the great fear or terror that Moshe did\/performed (\u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05d4 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4) before the eyes of all of Israel.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The text states <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201casher oseh Moshe\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05d4 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cthat Moshe did\/performed\u201d <\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">where the previous verses states that the Lord is who sent him to perform the signs and wonders. Based upon these Scriptures, the Lord empowered Moshe to perform the miracles in Egypt and the victory was ascribed to Moshe according in the last sentences of the Torah. In a similar manner, the rabbis use the example from <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Judges 5:12<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">, the prophetess Deborah and Barak. The rabbis say the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Deborah said, Arise, Barak, and lead your captivity captive, you son of Abinoam (Judges 5:12). But could it be said to him Arise, Barak, and lead captivity captive, as if it were really his captivity? What could Deborah have meant by Arise except Arise, but you will not do battle for the battle is the Lord\u2019s, as is said This is the day in which the Lord has delivered Sisera into your hand (Judges 4:14), and also, They fought from heaven (Judges 5:20). And yet, when Barak was about to say, The victory is the Lord\u2019s, Deborah said, Lead your captivity captive. (Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 1)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-13\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\">\u05d5\u05db\u05df \u05d3\u05d1\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05de\u05e8\u05d4 \u05e7\u05d5\u05dd \u05d1\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d5\u05e9\u05d1\u05d4 \u05e9\u05d1\u05d9\u05da \u05d1\u05df \u05d0\u05d1\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05e2\u05dd (\u05e9\u05d5\u05e4\u05d8\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4 \u05d9\u05d1), [\u05d5\u05db\u05d9 \u05e9\u05d1\u05d9\u05d4 \u05e9\u05dc \u05d1\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d4\u05d9\u05d4 \u05e9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05e7\u05d5\u05dd \u05d1\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d5\u05e9\u05d1\u05d4 \u05e9\u05d1\u05d9\u05da], \u05d0\u05dc\u05d0 \u05de\u05d4\u05d5 \u05e7\u05d5\u05dd, \u05e7\u05d5\u05dd \u05d5\u05dc\u05d0 \u05ea\u05e2\u05e9\u05d4 \u05de\u05dc\u05d7\u05de\u05d4, \u05dc\u05e4\u05d9 \u05e9\u05d4\u05de\u05dc\u05d7\u05de\u05d4 \u05dc\u05d4\u05f3, \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05db\u05d9 \u05d6\u05d4 \u05d4\u05d9\u05d5\u05dd \u05d0\u05e9\u05e8 \u05e0\u05ea\u05df \u05d4\u05f3 \u05d5\u05d2\u05d5\u05f3 (\u05e9\u05dd \u05e9\u05d5\u05e4\u05d8\u05d9\u05dd \u05d3 \u05d9\u05d3), \u05d5\u05db\u05df \u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 \u05de\u05df \u05e9\u05de\u05d9\u05dd \u05e0\u05dc\u05d7\u05de\u05d5 (\u05e9\u05dd \u05e9\u05d5\u05e4\u05d8\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4 \u05db), \u05d5\u05db\u05e9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05d1\u05d0 \u05dc\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 \u05e0\u05e6\u05d7\u05d5\u05df \u05e9\u05dc \u05d4\u05e7\u05d1\u05f4\u05d4, \u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 \u05d5\u05e9\u05d1\u05d4 \u05e9\u05d1\u05d9\u05da<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">When reading the Midrash and the comments regarding Deborah and Barak, Deborah tells Barak to arise and <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201clead your captivity captive.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> It is interesting that the Rabbis ask the question <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cBut could it be said to him Arise, Barak, and lead captivity captive, as if it were really his captivity?\u201d <\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> What does it mean to lead captivity captive? Note the context here regarding the battle and the section of the text from the midrash. The rabbis ask <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cwhat could Deborah have meant,\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> and then say <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cThis is the day the Lord has delivered Sisera into your hand (Judges 4:14).\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The rabbis then state that when Barak was about to say the victory is the Lord\u2019s, Deborah said, Lead your captivity. The rabbis comments here are under the same context of the midrash, that the Lord performs the miracles (fights the battle in this case) and ascribes the victory to someone else (i.e. Barak). The leading of captivity captive appears to be a reference to Barak who is leading, the victory is the Lord\u2019s but is ascribed to Barak. This is emphasized by the last line of the midrash that states Barak was about to declare the victory is the Lord\u2019s and Deborah states lead your captivity captive. The phrase <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cleads captivity captive\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> also reminds us of the Apostle Paul\u2019s words in <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Ephesians 4:8-10<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">. It is interesting to read the context of <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Ephesians 4:1-27<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> while paying close attention to who is being led captive?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><a id=\"_idIndexMarker010\"><\/a><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-16\">Ephesians 4:1-27<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 4:7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 4:18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 4:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ; 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\"> (KJV)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">Studying typical Christian commentary, the ones who were being led captive, it is taught that those who are saved are who were being led captive out of hell. Is that what Paul is saying here in <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Ephesians 4<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">? Paul speaks of himself being a prisoner of the Lord in <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">4:1<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">. He appeals to the Ephesians to walk according to their calling, to be humble, meek, and to love one another, to be one in spirit with one another in peace. Paul speaks of one body and one Spirit, One Lord, one faith, one immersion (baptism), and one God and Father of all, and that the Lord has given each of us grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ (\u03a7\u03c1\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6). In Ephesians 4:8, Paul says <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (KJV)<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> What is interesting is that this phrase \u201cled captivity captive\u201d seems to follow the same idea from the midrash, that the Lord God Almighty is the one who is the victor, but the victory is ascribed to Yeshua the Messiah. Because of this, He has given gifts to us, which appear to be the gifts of the Spirit. Paul then leads into what appears to be a midrashic understanding of Yeshua ascending and descending saying:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><a id=\"_idIndexMarker011\"><\/a><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-16\">Ephesians 4:9-10<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">4:9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 4:10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) (KJV)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">The ascending and descending reminds us of <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Midrash Tehillim on 68:11<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">, Rabbi Nathan speaks of Moshe going up on Sinai, receiving the Torah from God, and then coming down to give gifts to humans. (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Note also the Midrash on Proverbs 30, see the Tehillim \/ Psalms 2 study on ascending and descending<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) The ascending and descending that Paul is speaking would have been a well known teaching tool in the synagogues of his day, and what Paul is suggesting here is that Yeshua is the one that is greater than Moshe, since Yeshua descended and then ascended up above all heavens for the purpose of filling all things. (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Note again the rabbis comments on Midrash Proverbs 30:4<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) Something also to consider, the leading of the captivity, the captive prisoners may well refer to the powers and principalities that have been put in their place as a result of Yeshua\u2019s death and resurrection. From a midrashic and Torah perspective, Paul is not necessarily making a reference to Yeshua (Christ) descending into Hell (Hades) which is what many of the church fathers believed (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">i.e. Irenaeus, Origen, Tartullian, Chrysostom, Jerome, etc<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">). Based upon Ephesians, it appears that Paul is making use of midrash to refer to Christ who leads captivity captive and who is greater than Moshe be descending and ascending higher than the highest heavens. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The rabbis continue speaking of David and the victories of the Lord that are ascribed to David saying:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">So too, When David went down to meet Goliath, he said to the Philistines, That all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword or spear, for the battle is the Lord\u2019s (1 Samuel 17:47). And in their rejoicing and in their going out to dance, when th woman sang, saying Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands (1 Samuel 18:7), even then David said to the Holy One blessed be He, You wage war and Yours is the victory, as is said Yours, O Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty (1 Chronicles 29:11). (Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 1)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-7\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d5\u05db\u05df \u05d3\u05d5\u05d3 \u05db\u05e9\u05d9\u05e8\u05d3 \u05dc\u05d2\u05dc\u05d9\u05ea, \u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05d5\u05d9\u05d3\u05e2\u05d5 \u05db\u05dc \u05d4\u05e7\u05d4\u05dc \u05d4\u05d6\u05d4 \u05db\u05d9 \u05dc\u05d0 \u05d1\u05d7\u05e8\u05d1 \u05d5\u05d1\u05d7\u05e0\u05d9\u05ea \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05e9\u05d9\u05e2 \u05d4\u05f3 (\u05e9\u05f4\u05d0 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05d0\u05dc \u05d0\u05f3 \u05d9\u05d6 \u05de\u05d6), \u05d5\u05db\u05e9\u05d4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d4\u05e0\u05e9\u05d9\u05dd \u05de\u05e9\u05d7\u05e7\u05d5\u05ea \u05d5\u05d9\u05d5\u05e6\u05d0\u05d5\u05ea \u05dc\u05d7\u05d5\u05dc, \u05d4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05de\u05e2\u05e0\u05d5\u05ea \u05d5\u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8\u05d5\u05ea, \u05d4\u05db\u05d4 \u05e9\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc \u05d1\u05d0\u05dc\u05e4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05d3\u05d5\u05d3 \u05d1\u05e8\u05d1\u05d1\u05d5\u05ea\u05d9\u05d5 (\u05e9\u05dd \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05d0\u05dc \u05d0\u05f3 \u05d9\u05d7 \u05d6), \u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05d3\u05d5\u05d3 \u05dc\u05d4\u05e7\u05d1\u05f4\u05d4 \u05d0\u05ea\u05d4 \u05e2\u05d5\u05e9\u05d4 \u05d4\u05de\u05dc\u05d7\u05de\u05d4 \u05d5\u05dc\u05da \u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05d4\u05e0\u05e6\u05d7\u05d5\u05df, \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05dc\u05da \u05d4\u05f3 \u05d4\u05d2\u05d3\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4 \u05d5\u05d4\u05d2\u05d1\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05d4\u05ea\u05e4\u05d0\u05e8\u05ea \u05d5\u05d4\u05e0\u05e6\u05d7 \u05d5\u05d4\u05d4\u05d5\u05d3 (\u05d3\u05d4\u05f4\u05d0 \u05d3\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9 \u05d4\u05d9\u05de\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05f3 \u05db\u05d8 \u05d9\u05d0)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">Here again from the biblical text, we see how the Lord finds glory in and through the one whom He helps to bring victory. This is a great example of how our Father in heaven receives glory in His Son Yeshua the Messiah, the victories of the Lord may be understood in a parallel fashion in Yeshua the Messiah which brings glory to our Father in heaven. Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 1 concludes saying <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cThereupon, the Holy One blessed be He, said to David, You ascribe the victory to Me, but I will ascribe the victory to you, saying for the man of victories, for David the servant of the Lord (Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:1).\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> David says <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cYou ascribe the victory to me, but I will ascribe the victory to you,\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> we can see a parallel in the life of Yeshua the Messiah. Judaism in the Midrashic literature contains the principles that we have been taught in the Apostolic Writings, the victories that we have in Christ, by faith in Yeshua the Messiah, we bring glory to our Father in heaven. Praise the Lord!<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 2 opens with the Dibur Hamathil (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d3\u05d9\u05d1\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d4\u05de\u05ea\u05d7\u05d9\u05dc<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) saying <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cThe transgression of the wicked utters its oracle, There is no fear of God before his eyes (Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:2).\u201d<\/span> <span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The homiletic introduction (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e4\u05ea\u05d9\u05d7\u05ea\u05d0<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">, Petihta) to the Midrash opens saying <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cWhen David looked at Goliath the Philistine&#8230;\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The rabbis say the following regarding <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:2<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<table id=\"table002\" class=\"Basic-Table TableOverride-1\">\n<colgroup>\n<col class=\"_idGenTableRowColumn-6\" \/>\n<col class=\"_idGenTableRowColumn-7\" \/> <\/colgroup>\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"Basic-Table _idGenTableRowColumn-8\">\n<td class=\"Basic-Table CellOverride-7\">\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-4\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text CharOverride-8\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05de\u05d3\u05e8\u05e9 \u05ea\u05d4\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05dc\u05d5 \u05e1\u05d9\u05de\u05df \u05d1<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-4\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d1 [\u05e0\u05d0\u05dd \u05e4\u05e9\u05e2 \u05dc\u05e8\u05e9\u05e2 \u05d1\u05e7\u05e8\u05d1 \u05dc\u05d1\u05d9 \u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05e4\u05d7\u05d3 \u05d0\u05dc\u05d4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05e0\u05d2\u05d3 \u05e2\u05d9\u05e0\u05d9\u05d5]. \u05d4\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d3\u05d5\u05d3 \u05de\u05e1\u05ea\u05db\u05dc \u05d1\u05d2\u05dc\u05d9\u05ea \u05d4\u05e4\u05dc\u05e9\u05ea\u05d9, \u05d5\u05e8\u05d0\u05d4 \u05d0\u05d5\u05ea\u05d5 \u05d2\u05d1\u05d5\u05e8 \u05de\u05d6\u05d5\u05d9\u05d9\u05df \u05d1\u05db\u05dc \u05de\u05d9\u05e0\u05d9 \u05db\u05dc\u05d9 \u05d6\u05d9\u05d9\u05df, \u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05de\u05d9 \u05d9\u05d5\u05db\u05dc \u05dc\u05d6\u05d4, \u05db\u05d9\u05d5\u05df \u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05d4 \u05d0\u05d5\u05ea\u05d5 \u05e9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05de\u05d7\u05e8\u05e3 \u05d5\u05de\u05d2\u05d3\u05e3, \u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05e2\u05db\u05e9\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d0\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05dc \u05dc\u05d5, \u05e9\u05d0\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5 \u05de\u05e4\u05d7\u05d3 \u05de\u05d4\u05e7\u05d1\u05f4\u05d4, \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05e0\u05d0\u05dd \u05e4\u05e9\u05e2 \u05dc\u05e8\u05e9\u05e2 \u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05e4\u05d7\u05d3 \u05d0\u05dc\u05d4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05e0\u05d2\u05d3 \u05e2\u05d9\u05e0\u05d9\u05d5. \u05de\u05d9\u05db\u05df \u05d0\u05ea\u05d4 \u05dc\u05de\u05d3 \u05e9\u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05d4\u05e7\u05d1\u05f4\u05d4 \u05d3\u05df \u05d0\u05ea \u05d4\u05e8\u05e9\u05e2\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d1\u05e9\u05e2\u05d4 \u05e9\u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05e4\u05d7\u05d3\u05d5 \u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05d4\u05df, \u05d5\u05db\u05df \u05d0\u05ea\u05d4 \u05de\u05d5\u05e6\u05d0 \u05e9\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05d4\u05e7\u05d1\u05f4\u05d4 \u05dc\u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05dc \u05ea\u05d9\u05e1\u05e8\u05da \u05e8\u05e2\u05ea\u05da [\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5\u05f3] \u05d5\u05dc\u05d0 \u05e4\u05d7\u05d3\u05ea\u05d9 \u05d0\u05dc\u05d9\u05da (\u05d9\u05e8\u05de\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d1 \u05d9\u05d8), \u05dc\u05db\u05da \u05d4\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 \u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05e4\u05d7\u05d3 \u05d0\u05dc\u05d4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05e0\u05d2\u05d3 \u05e2\u05d9\u05e0\u05d9\u05d5.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Basic-Table CellOverride-7\">\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-24\">Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 2<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-23\">2. The transgression of the wicked utters its oracle, There is no fear of God before his eyes (Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:2). When David looked at Goliath the Philistine and saw that he was a mighty man armed with all kinds of weapons, he said, who can prevail against such as he? But when David saw him reviling and blaspheming, he said, Now I will prevail against him, for there is no fear of the Holy One blessed be He, in him, as is said The transgression of the wicked utters its oracle, There is no fear of God before his eyes. From this you learn that the Holy One blessed be He, punishes the wicked in the very hour when the fear of God is not upon them. You found that the Holy One blessed be He, also said to Israel, Your own wickedness will punish you when My fear is not in you (Jeremiah 2:19). Hence David said, The transgression of the wicked utters its oracle, There is no fear of God before his eyes. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">The Scripture from <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:2<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> speaks of when transgression (sin) speaks, there is no fear of God in the eyes of the wicked. The rabbis say that when David looked upon Goliath that he feared, however, when he saw that Goliath blasphemed the name of the Lord, the Philistine had no fear of God in his eyes, and David knew that he would prevail against him. The point of the parable is that when there is no fear of God, it is then that sin will find us out and we reap the consequences. What is the extent of sin in your life, how far has sin taken you in your life? Has it brought you to the point of disregarding the consequences or that the Lord will bring punishment once you have exhausted his patience for your repentance? The rabbis conclude saying, <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cFrom this you learn that the Holy One blessed be He, punishes the wicked in the very hour when the fear of God is not upon them. You found that the Holy One blessed be He, also said to Israel, Your own wickedness will punish you when My fear is not in you (Jeremiah 2:19). Hence David said, The transgression of the wicked utters its oracle, There is no fear of God before his eyes.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> This is a good warning to bear in mind regarding sin.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 3 opens with the Dibur Hamathil (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d3\u05d9\u05d1\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d4\u05de\u05ea\u05d7\u05d9\u05dc<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) saying <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cFor it flatters him in his eyes, to find an iniquity that will be hated (Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:3).\u201d<\/span> <span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The homiletic introduction to the Midrash says <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cThe wicked glance about with their eyes and feel about with their hands and scheme at their hearts to find that special sin which the Holy One blessed be He, hates that they might commit it.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The rabbis continue to describe what they mean regarding the wicked, their eyes and hearts desire to find the special sin that the Lord hates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">As Scripture says, Every abomination to the Lord which He hates, have they done (Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 12:31). Woe unto the wicked, all whose being is evil and deceit; not even with one another do they deal truthfully. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit (Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:4); the wicked walks in iniquity and devises iniquity, as the next verse says, He devises iniquity upon his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good (Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:5). (Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 3)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-7\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d5\u05db\u05df \u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 \u05db\u05d9 \u05db\u05dc \u05ea\u05d5\u05e2\u05d1\u05ea \u05d4\u05f3 \u05d0\u05e9\u05e8 \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0 \u05e2\u05e9\u05d5 (\u05d3\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd \u05d9\u05d1 \u05dc\u05d0), \u05d0\u05d5\u05d9 \u05dc\u05d4\u05df \u05dc\u05d4\u05e8\u05e9\u05e2\u05d9\u05dd \u05e9\u05d4\u05df \u05db\u05d5\u05dc\u05df \u05d0\u05d5\u05df \u05d5\u05de\u05e8\u05de\u05d4, \u05d5\u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05e2\u05d5\u05e9\u05d9\u05df \u05d0\u05de\u05ea \u05d1\u05d9\u05df \u05d0\u05d9\u05e9 \u05dc\u05d7\u05d1\u05d9\u05e8\u05d5. \u05d3\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9 \u05e4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d0\u05d5\u05df \u05d5\u05de\u05e8\u05de\u05d4. \u05d5\u05de\u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05d0\u05d5\u05df, \u05d5\u05de\u05d7\u05e9\u05d1\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05d0\u05d5\u05df, \u05d5\u05db\u05df \u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 \u05d0\u05d5\u05df \u05d9\u05d7\u05e9\u05d5\u05d1 \u05e2\u05dc \u05de\u05e9\u05db\u05d1\u05d5 \u05d9\u05ea\u05d9\u05e6\u05d1 \u05e2\u05dc \u05d3\u05e8\u05da \u05dc\u05d0 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">According to <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:3<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">, the ungodly, when their sin is found out, they do not find shame but are flattered (they laugh). Sin is considered their portion in this life. The wicked set themselves in a way that is not good, the rabbis conclude saying <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cWhen there are two ways open to the wicked, one toward good, and one toward evil, they forsake the good way, and walk in the evil way. So Solomon described the wicked as men who forsake the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; who rejoice to do evil (Mishley \/ Proverbs 2:12). Hence, it is written he sets himself in a way that is not good.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The idea of selfishness is brought out within Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 3, in the sense that <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201call whose being is evil and deceit; not even with one another do they deal truthfully.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The midrash speaks of the entire <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cbeing\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> of a person being evil and deceit, thus they do not even deal truthfully with one another. That appears to be the center of pride and selfishness. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 4 opens with the Dibur Hamathil (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d3\u05d9\u05d1\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d4\u05de\u05ea\u05d7\u05d9\u05dc<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) saying <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cYour loving kindness, O Lord is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches unto the skies (Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:6).\u201d<\/span> <span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The homiletic introduction to the Midrash says <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cIs the loving kindness of the Lord in the heavens? \u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The entire midrash says the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<table id=\"table003\" class=\"Basic-Table TableOverride-1\">\n<colgroup>\n<col class=\"_idGenTableRowColumn-9\" \/>\n<col class=\"_idGenTableRowColumn-10\" \/> <\/colgroup>\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"Basic-Table _idGenTableRowColumn-11\">\n<td class=\"Basic-Table CellOverride-7\">\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left-\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text CharOverride-8\">\u05de\u05d3\u05e8\u05e9 \u05ea\u05d4\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05dc\u05d5 \u05e1\u05d9\u05de\u05df \u05d3<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left-\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\">\u05d3 \u05d4\u05f3 \u05d1\u05e9\u05de\u05d9\u05dd \u05d7\u05e1\u05d3\u05da \u05d0\u05de\u05d5\u05e0\u05ea\u05da \u05e2\u05d3 \u05e9\u05d7\u05e7\u05d9\u05dd. \u05d5\u05db\u05d9 \u05d1\u05e9\u05de\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05d4\u05d7\u05e1\u05d3, \u05d5\u05d4\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d0\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5 \u05d0\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d1\u05d0\u05e8\u05e5, \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05d7\u05e1\u05d3 \u05d4\u05f3 \u05de\u05dc\u05d0\u05d4 \u05d4\u05d0\u05e8\u05e5 (\u05ea\u05d4\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05d2 \u05d4), \u05d0\u05dc\u05d0 \u05de\u05e2\u05e9\u05d9\u05d4\u05dd \u05e9\u05dc \u05e8\u05e9\u05e2\u05d9\u05dd \u05de\u05e1\u05dc\u05e7\u05d9\u05df \u05d0\u05ea \u05d4\u05d7\u05e1\u05d3 \u05dc\u05e9\u05de\u05d9\u05dd, \u05dc\u05db\u05da \u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05d4\u05f3 \u05d1\u05e9\u05de\u05d9\u05dd \u05d7\u05e1\u05d3\u05da.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Basic-Table CellOverride-7\">\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-24\">Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 4<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-23\">4. Your loving kindness, O Lord is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches unto the skies (Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:6). Is the loving kindness of the Lord in the heavens? Is it not on the earth, that is said The earth is full of the loving kindness of the Lord (Tehillim \/ Psalms 33:5)? The deeds of the wicked, however, force the loving kindness of the Lord back to the heavens. Hence it is said Your loving kindness, O Lord, is in the heavens.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">Again we find this idea of ascending and descending, David says that the lovingkindness of the Lord is in the heavens, and the faithfulness of God reaches to the skies (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:6<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">). The midrash asks <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cIs it not on the earth, that is, The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord (Tehillim \/ Psalms 33:6)?\u201d <\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">How is the earth full of God\u2019s lovingkindness? David says in <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 119:64<\/span> <span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e1\u05d3 \u05d7\u05b7\u05e1\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05de\u05b8\u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d7\u05bb\u05e7\u05bc\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9:<\/span> <span class=\"Character-Style-1\">119:64 The earth is full of Your lovingkindness, O Lord; Teach me Your statutes. (NASB) <\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The earth is full of the grace of God. By His mercy He does not destroy us because of our sins. This may be how the rabbis understand the earth being full of the lovingkindness of God. The Midrash then states <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cThe deeds of the wicked, however, force the loving kindness of the Lord back to the heavens.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-23\"> What we see here is the lovingkindness of God descending and ascending based upon the righteousness of men here on the earth. Do you think was true back then? Do you think this is true today? Does God\u2019s lovingkindness descend and ascend depending upon the righteousness of men? The deeds of the wicked (unrighteousness or unrighteous acts) is said to cause the lovingkindness of God to go back to the heavens or to heaven. Based upon Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 4, it appears that the lovingkindness of God is connected to the presence of God descending and ascending from heaven. In Parashat Vayetze (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 28:10-32:2<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-23\">) we read of Jacob having a dream of angels ascending and descending upon a ladder that reached from heaven to earth and the Lord God standing at the top of the ladder. According to the book titled <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cThe Cambridge Companion to the Talmud and Rabbinic Literature,\u201d by C.E. Fonrobert and M.S. Jaffee, Cambridge University Press (May 28, 2007), pp.296<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-23\">, the authors state in Chapter 13, <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cThe rabbinic historiography and representations of the past,\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-23\"> saying <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cOne rabbinic story actually appears to comment on the removal of Israel from the ebb and flow of historical processes. Jacob\u2019s ladder, we are informed, and the angels ascending and descending, are in fact a portrayal of the rise and fall of the nations of the world.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-23\"> They go on to speak of the raise and fall of Babylonia, Media, Greece, and Edom, and then speak in the midrash on Jacob\u2019s ladder saying, <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cHe [Jacob] said to Him: Just as these have descended I too will descend? God told him: fear not, go up, for you will ascend but not descend!\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-23\"> What is interesting is the use of the <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cascending and descending\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-23\"> imagery and the reference to the fall of the nations with respect to Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 4. It appears that these wicked nations, in their evil deeds, caused the lovingkindness of God to return to heaven and they perished. Now if we consider our own lives, if we live in unrighteousness, in sin, continually, would this not cause the lovingkindness of God to ascend back to heaven in our lives? Is this not something similar to what the Apostle John was saying in <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">1 John 1:6-8<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-23\">?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><a id=\"_idIndexMarker012\"><\/a><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-16\">1 John 1:6-8<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 1:7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. (NASB)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">John says that if we walk in darkness, we have no fellowship with Him (Christ), on the other hand, if we walk in the Light, we have fellowship with Him and with one another. In addition to this, John says that if we walk in the Light, the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. This appears to follow a similar pattern of \u201cascending and descending\u201d and how sin<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-23\"> (the deeds of the wicked) cause the lovingkindness of God to go back to heaven.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 6 opens with the Dibur Hamathil (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d3\u05d9\u05d1\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d4\u05de\u05ea\u05d7\u05d9\u05dc<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) saying <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cFor with You is the fountain of life; in Your light will we see light (Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:10).\u201d<\/span> <span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The homiletic introduction to the Midrash says <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cRabbi Johanan said, It happened that a man lighted a lamp which went out, and each time he lighted it, it went out, until at last the man said, How long will I keep tiring myself with this lamp?\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The homiletic introduction opens with a parable with a man lighting a lamp. The man says <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cHow long will I keep tiring myself with this lamp? I will wait for the shining of the sun and go about in its light.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> In many instances the lamp and the light are a reference to God\u2019s Torah. In this case could this be referring to our needing to wait upon the true source of light and truth (the Lord God and His Messiah Yeshua) in order to go about our lives? The rabbis parallel this parable to Israel enslaved in Babylon, Elam, Media, Persia, and Greece saying:<\/span><\/p>\n<table id=\"table004\" class=\"Basic-Table TableOverride-1\">\n<colgroup>\n<col class=\"_idGenTableRowColumn-12\" \/>\n<col class=\"_idGenTableRowColumn-13\" \/> <\/colgroup>\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"Basic-Table _idGenTableRowColumn-14\">\n<td class=\"Basic-Table CellOverride-7\">\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-3\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text CharOverride-8\">\u05de\u05d3\u05e8\u05e9 \u05ea\u05d4\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05dc\u05d5 \u05e1\u05d9\u05de\u05df \u05d5<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-3\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\">\u05db\u05da \u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05dc \u05e0\u05e9\u05ea\u05e2\u05d1\u05d3\u05d5 \u05d1\u05de\u05e6\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d5\u05e2\u05de\u05d3 \u05de\u05e9\u05d4 \u05d5\u05d2\u05d0\u05dc\u05dd, \u05d5\u05d7\u05d6\u05e8\u05d5 \u05d5\u05e0\u05e9\u05ea\u05e2\u05d1\u05d3\u05d5 [\u05d1\u05d1\u05d1\u05dc, \u05d5\u05e2\u05de\u05d3\u05d5 \u05d3\u05e0\u05d9\u05d0\u05dc \u05d7\u05e0\u05e0\u05d9\u05d4 \u05de\u05d9\u05e9\u05d0\u05dc \u05d5\u05e2\u05d6\u05e8\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d5\u05d2\u05d0\u05dc\u05d5\u05dd, \u05d5\u05d7\u05d6\u05e8\u05d5 \u05d5\u05e0\u05e9\u05ea\u05e2\u05d1\u05d3\u05d5] \u05d1\u05e2\u05d9\u05dc\u05dd \u05d5\u05d1\u05de\u05d3\u05d9 \u05d5\u05e4\u05e8\u05e1, \u05e2\u05de\u05d3\u05d5 \u05de\u05e8\u05d3\u05db\u05d9 \u05d5\u05d0\u05e1\u05ea\u05e8 \u05d5\u05d2\u05d0\u05dc\u05d5\u05dd, \u05d7\u05d6\u05e8\u05d5 \u05d5\u05e0\u05e9\u05ea\u05e2\u05d1\u05d3\u05d5 \u05d1\u05d9\u05d5\u05df, \u05d5\u05e2\u05de\u05d3\u05d5 \u05d7\u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05e0\u05d0\u05d9 \u05d5\u05d1\u05e0\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05d2\u05d0\u05dc\u05d5\u05dd, \u05d7\u05d6\u05e8\u05d5 \u05d5\u05e0\u05e9\u05ea\u05e2\u05d1\u05d3\u05d5 \u05d1\u05d0\u05d3\u05d5\u05dd \u05d4\u05e8\u05e9\u05e2\u05d4, \u05d0\u05de\u05e8\u05d5 \u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05dc \u05d4\u05e8\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5 \u05e0\u05ea\u05d9\u05d9\u05d2\u05e2\u05e0\u05d5 \u05de\u05d4\u05d9\u05d5\u05ea\u05e0\u05d5 \u05de\u05e9\u05ea\u05e2\u05d1\u05d3\u05d9\u05df \u05d5\u05e0\u05d2\u05d0\u05dc\u05d9\u05df, \u05d5\u05d7\u05d6\u05e8\u05e0\u05d5 \u05d5\u05e0\u05e9\u05ea\u05e2\u05d1\u05d3\u05e0\u05d5, \u05e2\u05db\u05e9\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05d0\u05e0\u05d5 \u05de\u05d1\u05e7\u05e9\u05d9\u05df \u05dc\u05d2\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05ea \u05d1\u05e9\u05e8 \u05d5\u05d3\u05dd, \u05d0\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d2\u05d5\u05d0\u05dc\u05e0\u05d5 \u05d4\u05f3 \u05e6\u05d1\u05d0\u05d5\u05ea \u05e9\u05de\u05d5 \u05e7\u05d3\u05d5\u05e9 \u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05dc, \u05d5\u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05d0\u05e0\u05d5 \u05de\u05d1\u05e7\u05e9\u05d9\u05df (\u05de\u05e2\u05ea\u05d4) \u05e9\u05d9\u05d0\u05d9\u05e8 \u05dc\u05e0\u05d5 \u05d1\u05e9\u05e8 \u05d5\u05d3\u05dd \u05de\u05e2\u05ea\u05d4, \u05d0\u05dc\u05d0 \u05e9\u05d9\u05d0\u05d9\u05e8 \u05dc\u05e0\u05d5 \u05d4\u05e7\u05d1\u05f4\u05d4, \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05db\u05d9 \u05e2\u05de\u05da \u05de\u05e7\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05d0\u05d5\u05e8\u05da \u05e0\u05e8\u05d0\u05d4 \u05d0\u05d5\u05e8, \u05d5\u05db\u05ea\u05d9\u05d1 \u05d0\u05dc \u05d4\u05f3 \u05d5\u05d9\u05d0\u05e8 \u05dc\u05e0\u05d5 (\u05ea\u05d4\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd \u05e7\u05d9\u05d7 \u05db\u05d6)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td class=\"Basic-Table CellOverride-7\">\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-25\">Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 6<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-23\">&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-23\">Similarly, when the children of Israel were enslaved again in Babylon. The Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah rose up and redeemed them, but they were enslaved again in Elam, in Media, and in Persia. The Mordecai and Esther rose up and redeemed them, but they were enslaved again in Greece. Then the Hasmonean and his sons rose up and redeemed them, but they were enslaved again in Edom the wicked. Thereupon, the children of Israel said, We have grown weary of being enslaved and redeemed, only to be enslaved again. Now let us pray not for redemption through the flesh and blood, but through our redeemer, the Lord of hosts whose name is the Holy One of Israel. Now let us pray not that flesh and blood give us light, but that the Holy One blessed be He, give us light, as is said, Fro with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we will see light, and also the Lord is God, and He will give us light (Tehillim \/ Psalms 118:27).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1 CharOverride-23\">&#8230;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">The midrash notes that Mordecai and Esther rose up and redeemed Israel, however, they were enslaved again in Greece. Following this cycle of freedom and enslavement, the children of Israel realized that their redemption is not through flesh and blood, <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cbut through our redeemer, the Lord of hosts whose name is the Holy One of Israel.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The conclusion is that it is not flesh and blood that gives light but the Lord God Almighty whom gives us light, and truth, and life! The midrash continues saying:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">According to Rabbi Simeon son of Lakish, the Holy One blessed be He, asked the children of Israel, Do you desire to share him in this world with the nations of the earth? And they replied, Master of the universe, Incline not my heart to any evil thing (Tehillim \/ Psalms 141:4). Wherein evil? Because the nations of the earth are schemers, as the verse goes on to say Incline not my heart to making of schemes in wickedness with men who are skilled in iniquity. Indeed, we have no desire for the dainty portions which belong to the nations of the earth, as is said Let me not eat of their dainties. But what do we desire? Your precepts, as is said for with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we will see light, and again Nations will walk at Your light (Isaiah 60:3). Rabbi Oshaya taught in the name in rabbi Pinehas, In the age to come, Jerusalem will become a torch of light for all the nations as is said Nations will walk at Your light (Isaiah 60:3). Rabbi Samuel son of Nahmani said, Because the children of Israel had need of light in this world, they used the light of the sun by day and light of the moon by night; but in the world to come the children of Israel will not need the light of the sun nor of the moon, as is said The sun will be no more your light by day, neither for brightness will the moon give light unto you (Isaiah 60:19). Who will give them light? The Holy One blessed be He, of whom the verse goes on to say, The Lord will be unto you an everlasting light. (Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 6)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Hebrew-Paragraph-Style--Right-to-Left- ParaOverride-8\" lang=\"he-IL\"><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\">\u05e8\u05f3 \u05e9\u05de\u05e2\u05d5\u05df \u05d1\u05df \u05dc\u05e7\u05d9\u05e9 \u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05db\u05da \u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05d4\u05e7\u05d1\u05f4\u05d4 \u05dc\u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05dc \u05de\u05d1\u05e7\u05e9\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05ea\u05dd \u05dc\u05e1\u05e4\u05d5\u05ea \u05e2\u05dd \u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05d4\u05e2\u05d5\u05dc\u05dd \u05d1\u05e2\u05d5\u05dc\u05dd \u05d4\u05d6\u05d4, \u05d0\u05de\u05e8\u05d5 \u05dc\u05e4\u05e0\u05d9\u05d5 \u05e8\u05d1\u05d5\u05e0\u05d5 \u05e9\u05dc \u05e2\u05d5\u05dc\u05dd \u05d0\u05dc \u05ea\u05d8 \u05dc\u05d1\u05d9 \u05dc\u05d3\u05d1\u05e8 \u05e8\u05e2 (\u05e9\u05dd \u05ea\u05d4\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd \u05e7\u05de\u05d0 \u05d3), \u05dc\u05de\u05d4 \u05dc\u05e4\u05d9 \u05e9\u05d4\u05dd \u05e2\u05d5\u05dc\u05dc\u05d5\u05ea, \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05dc\u05d4\u05ea\u05e2\u05d5\u05dc\u05dc \u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05dc\u05d5\u05ea \u05d1\u05e8\u05e9\u05e2 \u05d0\u05ea \u05d0\u05d9\u05e9\u05d9\u05dd \u05e4\u05d5\u05e2\u05dc\u05d9 \u05d0\u05d5\u05df (\u05e9\u05dd \u05e9\u05dd \u05ea\u05d4\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd \u05e7\u05de\u05f4\u05d0), \u05d0\u05e4\u05d9\u05dc\u05d5 \u05d1\u05de\u05e6\u05d5\u05ea \u05d4\u05e0\u05e2\u05d9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e9\u05dc\u05d4\u05dd \u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05d0\u05e0\u05d5 \u05de\u05d1\u05e7\u05e9\u05d9\u05df, \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05d5\u05d1\u05dc \u05d0\u05dc\u05d7\u05dd \u05d1\u05de\u05e0\u05e2\u05de\u05d9\u05d4\u05dd (\u05e9\u05dd \u05e9\u05dd \u05ea\u05d4\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd \u05e7\u05de\u05f4\u05d0), \u05d5\u05d1\u05de\u05d4 \u05d0\u05e0\u05d5 \u05d7\u05e4\u05e6\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d1\u05de\u05e6\u05d5\u05ea \u05e9\u05dc\u05da, \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05db\u05d9 \u05e2\u05de\u05da \u05de\u05e7\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05d0\u05d5\u05e8\u05da \u05e0\u05e8\u05d0\u05d4 \u05d0\u05d5\u05e8, \u05d5\u05db\u05ea\u05d9\u05d1 \u05d5\u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d5 \u05d2\u05d5\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05d0\u05d5\u05e8\u05da (\u05d9\u05e9\u05e2\u05d9\u05d4 \u05e1 \u05d2). \u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05e8\u05f3 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05d0\u05dc \u05d1\u05e8 \u05e0\u05d7\u05de\u05e0\u05d9 \u05e2\u05dc \u05d9\u05d3\u05d9 \u05e9\u05d4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05dc \u05de\u05e9\u05de\u05e9\u05d9\u05df \u05d1\u05e2\u05d5\u05dc\u05dd \u05d4\u05d6\u05d4 \u05dc\u05d0\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d4\u05d7\u05de\u05d4 [\u05d1\u05d9\u05d5\u05dd], \u05d5\u05dc\u05d0\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d4\u05dc\u05d1\u05e0\u05d4 [\u05d1\u05dc\u05d9\u05dc\u05d4], \u05dc\u05e4\u05d9 \u05e9\u05d4\u05df \u05e6\u05e8\u05d9\u05db\u05d9\u05df \u05dc\u05d0\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4, \u05d0\u05d1\u05dc \u05dc\u05e2\u05d5\u05dc\u05dd \u05d4\u05d1\u05d0 \u05d0\u05d9\u05e0\u05df \u05e6\u05e8\u05d9\u05db\u05d9\u05df \u05dc\u05d4\u05dd, \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05dc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05d4\u05d9\u05d4 \u05dc\u05da \u05e2\u05d5\u05d3 \u05d4\u05e9\u05de\u05e9 \u05dc\u05d0\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d9\u05d5\u05de\u05dd \u05d5\u05dc\u05e0\u05d5\u05d2\u05d4 \u05d4\u05d9\u05e8\u05d7 \u05dc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05d0\u05d9\u05e8 \u05dc\u05da (\u05e9\u05dd \u05d9\u05e9\u05e2\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5 \u05e1 \u05d9\u05d8), \u05d5\u05de\u05d9 \u05de\u05d0\u05d9\u05e8 \u05dc\u05d4\u05df \u05d4\u05e7\u05d1\u05f4\u05d4, \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05d5\u05d4\u05d9\u05d4 \u05dc\u05da \u05d4\u05f3 \u05dc\u05d0\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e2\u05d5\u05dc\u05dd (\u05e9\u05dd \u05e9\u05dd \u05d9\u05e9\u05e2\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5 \u05e1\u05f3)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">It is interesting to read Rabbi Simeon\u2019s comments regarding the Dibur Hamathil (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d3\u05d9\u05d1\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d4\u05de\u05ea\u05d7\u05d9\u05dc<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) saying <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cFor with You is the fountain of life; in Your light will we see light (Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:10).\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> He says that the Lord asked the children of Israel if they desired to share Him in this world with the nations of the earth. Their response was to not let their heart be inclined to any evil thing (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 141:4<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">). The reason being <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cBecause the nations of the earth are schemers, as the verse goes on to say Incline not my heart to making of schemes in wickedness with men who are skilled in iniquity.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> This is just like what David is saying in <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 36<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> regarding the wicked. They continue and point out that they do not want <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cdainty portions\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> which belong to the nations. Our portion is much greater because our potion is of the Lord, our inheritance is the Lord God Almighty! The children of Israel speak of not want to eat their dainties, they would rather have the <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cprecepts\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> of the Lord because the Lord is the fountain of life. The midrash states <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cin Your light we will see light, and again Nations will walk at Your light (Isaiah 60:3)\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> and goes on to say that<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201dIn the age to come, Jerusalem will become a torch of light for all the nations as is said Nations will walk at Your light (Isaiah 60:3).\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> It is interesting, they say in the <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cworld to come\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05dc\u05e4\u05d9 \u05e9\u05d4\u05df \u05e6\u05e8\u05d9\u05db\u05d9\u05df \u05dc\u05d0\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4, \u05d0\u05d1\u05dc \u05dc<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text CharOverride-8\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05e2\u05d5\u05dc\u05dd \u05d4\u05d1\u05d0<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\"> \u05d0\u05d9\u05e0\u05df \u05e6\u05e8\u05d9\u05db\u05d9\u05df \u05dc\u05d4\u05dd<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) Jerusalem will be a light to the nations. Will there be nations in the world to come or one nation of God\u2019s people? Usually when thinking of eternity, we think that we will all be one nation in the world to come. Will we all divide into different nationalities who serve the Living God in the world to come? (Food for thought&#8230;) <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> In the Apostolic Writings, we read about the Ecclesia (\u1f10\u03ba\u03ba\u03bb\u03b7\u03c3\u1f77\u03b1) the biblical description of all believers who are in Yeshua the Messiah. The members of the Ecclesia (assembly or congregation) are God\u2019s messengers to bear witness to the truth of God. The members of the ecclesia are filled with the light of God that is to be shown forth to the nations according to Yeshua in <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Matthew 5:14<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> \u1f59\u03bc\u03b5\u1fd6\u03c2 \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5 \u03c4\u1f78 \u03c6\u1ff6\u03c2 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03ba\u1f79\u03c3\u03bc\u03bf\u03c5. \u03bf\u1f50 \u03b4\u1f7b\u03bd\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c0\u1f79\u03bb\u03b9\u03c2 \u03ba\u03c1\u03c5\u03b2\u1fc6\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9 \u1f10\u03c0\u1f71\u03bd\u03c9 \u1f44\u03c1\u03bf\u03c5\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b5\u03b9\u03bc\u1f73\u03bd\u03b7: <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u2018You are the light (\u03c6\u1ff6\u03c2) of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> \u03bf\u1f50\u03b4\u1f72 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f77\u03bf\u03c5\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u03bb\u1f7b\u03c7\u03bd\u03bf\u03bd \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03c4\u03b9\u03b8\u1f73\u03b1\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1f78\u03bd \u1f51\u03c0\u1f78 \u03c4\u1f78\u03bd \u03bc\u1f79\u03b4\u03b9\u03bf\u03bd \u1f00\u03bb\u03bb\u2019 \u1f10\u03c0\u1f76 \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u03bb\u03c5\u03c7\u03bd\u1f77\u03b1\u03bd, \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03bb\u1f71\u03bc\u03c0\u03b5\u03b9 \u03c0\u1fb6\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u03c4\u03bf\u1fd6\u03c2 \u1f10\u03bd \u03c4\u1fc7 \u03bf\u1f30\u03ba\u1f77\u1fb3. <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">5:15 \u2018nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> \u03bf\u1f55\u03c4\u03c9\u03c2 \u03bb\u03b1\u03bc\u03c8\u1f71\u03c4\u03c9 \u03c4\u1f78 \u03c6\u1ff6\u03c2 \u1f51\u03bc\u1ff6\u03bd \u1f14\u03bc\u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c3\u03b8\u03b5\u03bd \u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u1f00\u03bd\u03b8\u03c1\u1f7d\u03c0\u03c9\u03bd, \u1f45\u03c0\u03c9\u03c2 \u1f34\u03b4\u03c9\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u1f51\u03bc\u1ff6\u03bd \u03c4\u1f70 \u03ba\u03b1\u03bb\u1f70 \u1f14\u03c1\u03b3\u03b1 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03b4\u03bf\u03be\u1f71\u03c3\u03c9\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd \u03c4\u1f78\u03bd \u03c0\u03b1\u03c4\u1f73\u03c1\u03b1 \u1f51\u03bc\u1ff6\u03bd \u03c4\u1f78\u03bd \u1f10\u03bd \u03c4\u03bf\u1fd6\u03c2 \u03bf\u1f50\u03c1\u03b1\u03bd\u03bf\u1fd6\u03c2. <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\"> 5:16 \u2018Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (NASB)<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> Yeshua tells us the light that is within us is set on a hill that goes out into the world. According to Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 6, we read the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-6\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Rabbi Phinheas taught in the name of rabbi Reuben, a time will come when the Holy One blessed be He, will bring Sinai, Tabor, and Carmel together and will establish Jerusalem upon their very tops, for it is said The mountain of the Lord\u2019s house will be established in the top of the mountains (Isaiah 2:2). Moreover, a time will come when the mountains will lead in the singing of Israel\u2019s songs, for it is said Kenaniah will be chief of the Levites, and will be first in song (1 Chronicles 15:22). (Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 6)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">Rabbi Phinheas taught that Jerusalem will be placed upon a mountain top, the Lord\u2019s house will be established in the top of mountains. If our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and we are set upon the mountain tops to shine forth the light of God to all men. Isn\u2019t that an interesting rabbinic parallel to the Apostolic writings, and specifically to the words of Yeshua himself? The Apostle John tells us that Yeshua is the <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201clight of the world\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> in the gospel of <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">John 1:1-9<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">. Yeshua acknowledged that He is the light saying \u1f18\u03b3\u1f7d \u03b5\u1f30\u03bc\u03b9 \u03c4\u1f78 \u03c6\u1ff6\u03c2 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6 \u03ba\u1f79\u03c3\u03bc\u03bf\u03c5 <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cI am the light of the world\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> in <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">John 8:12<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">. He also said that \u03b5\u1f36\u03c0\u03b5\u03bd \u03bf\u1f56\u03bd \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fd6\u03c2 \u1f41 \u1f38\u03b7\u03c3\u03bf\u1fe6\u03c2, \u1f1c\u03c4\u03b9 \u03bc\u03b9\u03ba\u03c1\u1f78\u03bd \u03c7\u03c1\u1f79\u03bd\u03bf\u03bd \u03c4\u1f78 \u03c6\u1ff6\u03c2 \u1f10\u03bd \u1f51\u03bc\u1fd6\u03bd \u1f10\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd. \u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u03b9\u03c0\u03b1\u03c4\u03b5\u1fd6\u03c4\u03b5 \u1f61\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f78 \u03c6\u1ff6\u03c2 \u1f14\u03c7\u03b5\u03c4\u03b5, \u1f35\u03bd\u03b1 \u03bc\u1f74 \u03c3\u03ba\u03bf\u03c4\u1f77\u03b1 \u1f51\u03bc\u1fb6\u03c2 \u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1\u03bb\u1f71\u03b2\u1fc3: \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f41 \u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u03b9\u03c0\u03b1\u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd \u1f10\u03bd \u03c4\u1fc7 \u03c3\u03ba\u03bf\u03c4\u1f77\u1fb3 \u03bf\u1f50\u03ba \u03bf\u1f36\u03b4\u03b5\u03bd \u03c0\u03bf\u1fe6 \u1f51\u03c0\u1f71\u03b3\u03b5\u03b9. \u1f61\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f78 \u03c6\u1ff6\u03c2 \u1f14\u03c7\u03b5\u03c4\u03b5, \u03c0\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5\u1f7b\u03b5\u03c4\u03b5 \u03b5\u1f30\u03c2 \u03c4\u1f78 \u03c6\u1ff6\u03c2, \u1f35\u03bd\u03b1 \u03c5\u1f31\u03bf\u1f76 \u03c6\u03c9\u03c4\u1f78\u03c2 \u03b3\u1f73\u03bd\u03b7\u03c3\u03b8\u03b5. \u03a4\u03b1\u1fe6\u03c4\u03b1 \u1f10\u03bb\u1f71\u03bb\u03b7\u03c3\u03b5\u03bd \u1f38\u03b7\u03c3\u03bf\u1fe6\u03c2, \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f00\u03c0\u03b5\u03bb\u03b8\u1f7c\u03bd \u1f10\u03ba\u03c1\u1f7b\u03b2\u03b7 \u1f00\u03c0\u2019 \u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd. <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cA little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you, he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">John 12:35-36<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">). So, seeking Yeshua and believing in the light which is the truth, God\u2019s Messiah, His savior and redeemer, His word the Scriptures, we become the sons of God and of truth. Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 6 concludes saying <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cThe word Kenaniah is to be read that which was established by the Lord, for the word comes from the same stem as nakon (established), which occurs in the verse The mountain of the Lord\u2019s house will be established (nakon).\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The midrash teaches that the Lord is our redeemer, He is our light, He is the truth, and he is a much greater portion than the dainties of the nations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 8 opens with the Dibur Hamathil (<\/span><span class=\"Hebrew-verse-text\" lang=\"he-IL\">\u05d3\u05d9\u05d1\u05d5\u05e8 \u05d4\u05de\u05ea\u05d7\u05d9\u05dc<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">) saying <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cAnother comment on O continue Your lovingkindness unto them that know You.\u201d<\/span> <span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The homiletic introduction to the Midrash states <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cRabbi Isaac said, One generation passes away, and another generation comes (Ecclesiastes 1:4), One nation comes and another nation goes; But the land abides forever.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The rabbis open with generations and nations come and go but the land abides forever and make a reference to the land being Israel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-1\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font CharOverride-7\">Midrash Summary on Land-Israel<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li class=\"Numbered-list ParaOverride-15\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">But the land abides forever, that is, the children of Israel, to whom it is said You will be a delight-some land (Malachi 3:12), abide forever.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Numbered-list\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Again, the word land refers to Israel in the phrase until the day of captivity of the land (Judges 18:30).<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Numbered-list\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">For how can one speak of a land\u2019s being led into captivity?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"Numbered-list\"><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Therefore, by land are meant the children of Israel. <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p class=\"Basic-Paragraph ParaOverride-2\"><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">In the Torah, the idea for a Land of Israel is revealed in parallel with the People of Israel. God\u2019s covenant with Abraham included a promise that Abraham\u2019s descendants will inherit the area known as the Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel). According to the biblical narrative, the transition into slavery (Genesis to Exodus) and the Lord God liberating the descendants of Israel from slavery and the People of Israel, the Torah teaches us that the end goal of the deliverance and journey in the wilderness is to inhabit (dwell or live in) the Promised Land. In addition to this, Israel\u2019s tenancy in the Land is conditional. The Land is given to the Children of Israel with the provision that they live up to certain moral and religious standards (see <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Vayikra \/ Leviticus 18:26<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">). If these conditions are not met, there is a prophetic word that exile will result (see <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Vayikra \/ Leviticus 26:32<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">). So there is a connection between behavior and residency in the Land of Israel. Note also that the indigenous peoples of Canaan lost their claim to the Land because of their ethical and religious failings, i.e. they served false gods (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Vayikra \/ Leviticus 18:24<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">), and the Rabbis decreed that non-idolatrous gentiles (i.e. ethical ones) were permitted to reside in the Land. Even though the Children of Israel live in the Land, the Lord God retains ownership. This is emphasized in the agricultural commandments to Israel in the Torah. The requirement to leave the corner of ones field for the poor (pe\u2019ah), abstain from eating the fruits of a new tree (orlah), and let the land lie fallow every seventh year (shemitta), among other similar laws,all stress God\u2019s right to divvy out produce as He sees fit. Additionally, all sales and transfers of land were voided during the Jubilee year, a rule that emphasized that the Land is the Lord\u2019s permanently. The Land of Israel is described as a land flowing with milk and honey (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Shemot \/ Exodus 3:8<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">). The prophet Zechariah states that the Land is <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cadmat ha-kodesh,\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> a <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201choly ground\/land\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Zechariah 2:16<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">). Other traditions highlight the inherent sacredness of the Land by stating that the sanctity of the Land is dependent upon the commandments fulfilled there. According to the Mishnah (<\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Kelim 1:6<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">), we read that the Land of Israel is holier than all other lands because certain sacrificial produce, for example, the omer, the first fruits, and the two Loaves, which are produced from the Land of Israel and not from other lands. In other words, Israel was not commanded to obey the agricultural commandments because Israel is holier than all other lands, rather the agricultural commandments themselves hallow the Land. Midrash Rabbah on <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">Vayikra \/ Leviticus 13:2<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> states <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cThe Holy One, blessed be he, further took the measure of all lands and found no land but the Land of Israel that was truly worthy for the people Israel.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> Taking all of these things into consideration, in light of what Midrash Tehillim 36, Part 8 is saying, the Land is referring to Israel, implies that <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cwe are God\u2019s portion and He is ours.\u201d<\/span> <span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\">The land of Israel stands apart, is different, and designated by God; in a similar manner, we are also set apart, different, and designated by God and for this we should stand apart from the world, not that we are to separate ourselves but that our lives should characterize who we are, holy, and righteous before God. The Land of Israel is also described as the land <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cof the book,\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> and are we not considered the <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cpeople of the Book\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> too? It is the land that the Lord considers gift-worthy to His people. The Lord has a different set of standards for this land, and in parallel fashion for us too. Thus, the uniqueness of the Land, the covenant relationship of the Land, and the people, it is no surprise that the rabbis say <\/span><span class=\"Character-Style-1\">\u201cthe word land refers to Israel.\u201d<\/span><span class=\"Std-Hebrew-English-Greek-Font\"> The expression of the land and Israel used throughout Jewish writings and what we find in the holy Scriptures, is a great reminder that we are holy because God is holy, He has promised us great things because we are God\u2019s portion and He is ours. Let\u2019s Pray!<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/Tehillim-36-Part1-and-2.pdf\">Tehillim 36-Part1-and-2<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This week\u2019s study is from Tehillim \/ Psalms 36:1-12, can be divided into two major sections, part one describes the wicked and part 2 describes the character of God and the righteous who seek the Lord. The opening verses state \u05d0 \u05dc\u05b7\u05de\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b5\u05d7\u05b7 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b6\u05d1\u05b6\u05d3-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05d5\u05b4\u05d3: \u05d1 \u05e0\u05b0\u05d0\u05bb\u05dd-\u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05e2 \u05dc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e2 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05df-\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b6\u05d3 \u05e2\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5: For the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2852","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-tehillim"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2852","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2852"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2852\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2852"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2852"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2852"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}