RR Psalm 50:1,2 Part 1

Shalom,

Psalm 50:1 A psalm of Asaph. God, Elohim Adonai has spoken and summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.

Today we start our study of Psalm 50.  We begin with a burst of God’s names, “El, Elohim, and Yehovah(YHVH).”  Together, they speak to God’s power and authority as the self-existent One, Who first created the universe from nothing.  The poetic form of this is “from sunrise to sunset.” Everything God creates is created with beauty and perfection.

In Hebrew, the word used for “perfection” is “Mich’lal.”  This is the only place in Scripture this word is used in this form.  A similar word is used twice by Ezekiel and 7 times by Ezra meaning completely finished.  First, Ezekiel prophesies over Tyre, first describing its beauty, then its destruction.… Ezekiel 27:3 Say to Tyre,… “Thus says Adonai Elohim: ‘Tyre, you said: “I am perfect in beauty!’ 4b …your builders perfected your beauty.”” (But ultimately it was all for nothing.) 36b …“You have become a horror and will be no more.’”  

Now we can better appreciate the singular use of this word here in Psalm 50.  God is announcing prophetically that He will shine forth from Zion in brilliant perfection.  Now let’s answer this question.  What do we know about Zion?  We find the secular world using Zion (Zionism) in the most negative terms.  I found the following quote on Wikipedia (so it must be true).

“Comparisons between Zionism and Nazism have been made by academics, politicians and public figures, both Jewish and not, since before the establishment of Israel.  Some scholars suggest these comparisons can be rhetorical tools without any specific antisemitic intent.”

I object.  Comparing Zionism to Nazism is always done with antisemitic intent.  Zionism (in simple terms) is the belief that Jews should have a government of self-determination in the promised land (called the land of Israel in Scripture).  Zion itself is synonymous with the promised land.  It’s location is described throughout Scripture (see Numbers 34 in particular).  Descendants of those first Israelites to live in that land have been there continuously for more than 3,000 years.  It is a testimony to God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promises which started with Father Abraham.

According to our verses today from Psalm 50, God is coming to Zion, from where His glory will shine forth in complete perfect beauty.  Furthermore, God’s reign from Zion is not only for Jewish people, but for all people.  It is in our weekly Torah service…

Isaiah 2:3 Then many peoples will go and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of Adonai, to the House of the God of Jacob! Then He will teach us His ways, and we will walk in His paths.” For Torah will go forth from Zion and the word of Adonai from Jerusalem. (Quoted by Micah 4:2)

Everyone will have to make a decision.  Whose side will you be on?  Joel 4:14(3:14) Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of Adonai is near in the valley of decision….16 Adonai will roar from Zion and give His voice from Jerusalem. Heaven and earth will shudder, but Adonai will be a refuge for His people (from all nations), and a safe place for the children of Israel (His people from, well, the children of Israel).  Shalom shalom.

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Tue24-Mar-20266th of Nisan, 5786
Le 7:11-38Isa 29Pr 21Ac 20(Rev 14)