RR Psalm 34:10 Part 8
Shalom,
Psalm 34:10(9) Fear Adonai, His kedoshim, For those who fear Him lack nothing.
Rabbi Trail: I know I need to apologize to you, but I’m not sure why. I was wrong yesterday about the numbering of the verses. It is still different from the Jewish Bible to the Christian Bible. The part I’m not sure about is why nobody bothered to tell me I was wrong. Maybe you’re all so nice and take seriously my admonition in Hebrew, “Al Tariv Im Rav,” meaning “Don’t argue with the rabbi.” (In Hebrew it is a pun.) Well, by now we’ve gone down this “Rabbi Trail” far enough. Let’s get on with the devotional for today. End RT.
The opening phrase of verse 10 is “Y’r’u Et Adonai(YHVH),” meaning Fear (exactly the) Lord. “Et” has no direct translation. Rather, it is a syntax key or indicator. Whatever follows “Et” is the direct object (receiver of the action) of the sentence. Therefore; we know the receiver of our fear is the Lord. As I write this today, I’m feeling bad that most translations have not chosen another word instead of “fear.”
When we “fear,” we have an English word that connotes being afraid. God loves us and does not want us to be afraid of what He is going to do to us. 1John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and the one who fears has not been made perfect in love. Godly fear is a healthy respect or reverence. As one would honor a parent. After all, God is our Father, Who art in heaven. So, when we “hallow His name,” we make it holy by separating His name from all others.
Proverbs 9:10a The fear of Adonai is the beginning of wisdom. This is the second prayer said by orthopractic Jewish people upon awakening each morning. Not that you asked, but the first is, “I am thankful before You, for you are the King of all life and everything that is living.” There is more to it than that. Maybe another time.
The second part of our subject verse is a promise to those who fear the Lord, that they will lack nothing. Where have we seen that thought before? Oh yes… Psalm 23:1b Adonai is my shepherd, I shall not want. Is this true in the New Testament also? Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Are you calling upon God, “Pick me, pick me! I want all these things added to me, so I’ll have no lack?” I have good news, God has already picked you. Ephesians 1:4 He chose us in the Messiah before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before Him in love. He’s waiting for you to pick Him back. Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek Me and find Me, when you will search for Me with all your heart. 14a Then I will be found by you,” says Adonai. Lord, how shall we reverence You? The Lord says, “If you want to reverence Me, reverence My Word.” John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed13-Aug 202519th of Av, 5785
De 10:1-11Ez 431 Ch 211 Ti 5 (Jn 9)
Psalm 34:10(9) Fear Adonai, His kedoshim, For those who fear Him lack nothing.
Rabbi Trail: I know I need to apologize to you, but I’m not sure why. I was wrong yesterday about the numbering of the verses. It is still different from the Jewish Bible to the Christian Bible. The part I’m not sure about is why nobody bothered to tell me I was wrong. Maybe you’re all so nice and take seriously my admonition in Hebrew, “Al Tariv Im Rav,” meaning “Don’t argue with the rabbi.” (In Hebrew it is a pun.) Well, by now we’ve gone down this “Rabbi Trail” far enough. Let’s get on with the devotional for today. End RT.
The opening phrase of verse 10 is “Y’r’u Et Adonai(YHVH),” meaning Fear (exactly the) Lord. “Et” has no direct translation. Rather, it is a syntax key or indicator. Whatever follows “Et” is the direct object (receiver of the action) of the sentence. Therefore; we know the receiver of our fear is the Lord. As I write this today, I’m feeling bad that most translations have not chosen another word instead of “fear.”
When we “fear,” we have an English word that connotes being afraid. God loves us and does not want us to be afraid of what He is going to do to us. 1John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and the one who fears has not been made perfect in love. Godly fear is a healthy respect or reverence. As one would honor a parent. After all, God is our Father, Who art in heaven. So, when we “hallow His name,” we make it holy by separating His name from all others.
Proverbs 9:10a The fear of Adonai is the beginning of wisdom. This is the second prayer said by orthopractic Jewish people upon awakening each morning. Not that you asked, but the first is, “I am thankful before You, for you are the King of all life and everything that is living.” There is more to it than that. Maybe another time.
The second part of our subject verse is a promise to those who fear the Lord, that they will lack nothing. Where have we seen that thought before? Oh yes… Psalm 23:1b Adonai is my shepherd, I shall not want. Is this true in the New Testament also? Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Are you calling upon God, “Pick me, pick me! I want all these things added to me, so I’ll have no lack?” I have good news, God has already picked you. Ephesians 1:4 He chose us in the Messiah before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless before Him in love. He’s waiting for you to pick Him back. Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek Me and find Me, when you will search for Me with all your heart. 14a Then I will be found by you,” says Adonai. Lord, how shall we reverence You? The Lord says, “If you want to reverence Me, reverence My Word.” John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed13-Aug 202519th of Av, 5785
De 10:1-11Ez 431 Ch 211 Ti 5 (Jn 9)
Posted in Rabbis Reflections
Recent
Archive
2025
May
RR Psalm 28:5 Part 5RR Psalm 28:6 Part 6RR Psalm 28:7a Part 7RR Psalm 28:7b Part 8RR Psalm 28:7c Part 9RR Psalm 28:7d Part 10RR Psalm 28:8 Part 11Rabbi’s Reflections - Saturday, May 10, 2025 by David HarwoodRR Psalm 28:9 Part 12RR Psalm 28:9 Part 13RR Psalm 28:9 Part 14RR Psalm 28:9 Part 15RR Psalm 29:1 Part 1RR Psalm 29:2 Part 2Favor From a Fooled Philistine By David HarwoodRR Psalm 29:3 Part 3RR Psalm 29:4 Part 4RR Psalm 29:5 Part 5RR Psalm 29:6 Part 6RR Psalm 29:7 Part 7RR Psalm 29:7 Part 7Favor/Grace in 2 Samuel and 1 Kings By David HarwoodRR Psalm 29:8 Part 8RR Psalm 29:10 Part 10RR Psalm 29:9 Part 9RR Psalm 29:11 Paert 11RR Psalm 30:1,2 Part 1RR Psalms 30:3 Part 2RR Psalm 30:4 Part 3Favor (Chen/Charis) in the Psalms By David HarwoodRR Psalm 30:5 Part 4
June
RR Psalm 30:6 Part 5RR Psalm 30:7 Part 6RR Psalm 30:8 Part 7RR - Psalm 30:9-11 Part 8RR Psalm 30:12,13 Part 9RR Favor (Chen/Charis) in Proverbs By David HarwoodRR Psalm 31:1,2 Part 1RR Psalm 31:3 Part 2RR Psalm 31:4 Part 3RR Psalm 31:5 Part 4RR Psalm 31:6 Part 5RR Psalm 31:7 Part 6RR Kohelet By David HarwoodRR “Taking Our Thoughts Captive – Part 2” By Jerry MillerRR Psalm 31:8 Part 7RR Psalm 31:8 Part 8RR Psalm 31:9 Part 9RR - Psalm 31:10 Part 10RR Psalm 31:11 Part 11Zechariah and Favor By David HarwoodRR - Psalm 31:12-14 Part 12RR Shalom SpecialRR Psalm 31:15 Part 13RR Psalm 31:16,17 Part 14RR Psalm 31:18 Part 15RR Psalm 31:19,20 Part 16RR Adonai-Tzva’ot and End-Time Favor By David HarwoodRR Psalm 31:21 Part 17RR Psalm 31:22 Part 18RR Psalm 31:23 Part 19
July
RR Psalm 31:24 Part 20RR Psalm 31:25 Part 21RR Psalm 32:1 Part 1Rabbi’s Reflections - Favor and Luke By David HarwoodRR Taking Thoughts Captive Part 3 by Jerry MillerRR Psalm 32:2 Part 2RR Psalm 32:3,4 Part 3RR Psalm 32:5 Part 4RR Psalm 32:5 Part 5RR Psalm 32:6 Part 6Some Nuances of Charis By David HarwoodRR Psalm 32:7 Part 7RR Psalm 32:8 Part 8RR Psalm 32:8 Part 9RR Psalm 32:9 Part 10RR Psalm 32:10 Part 11RR Psalm 32:11 Part 12RR Psalm 33:1 Part 1RR Psalm 33:2,3 Part 2RR Psalm 33:4,5 Part 3RR Psalm 33:6,7 Part 4RR Psalm 33:8,9,10 Part 5Favor In Acts 1 by David HarwoodRR Psalm 33:11,12 Part 6RR Psalm 33:13,14 Part 7RR Psalm 33:15,16 Part 8RR Psalm 33:17,18,19 Part 9RR Psalm 33:20,21 Part 10RR Psalm 33:22 Part 11RR Favor in Acts 2: Stephen by David HarwoodRR “Endurance for the Race” by Jerry Miller