Sunday, 16 July 2017

To Govern and to Judge

Tweet

Psalm 9:9 "And He will judge the world in righteousness, and He will govern the peoples in an upright manner." (my own translation based on the Hebrew text)

We have here in the verse two words (Yishpot and Yadin) of similar meaning. They are translated as "He judges" and "He governs".

A Shofet is a judge. Based on the same root, a Mishpat is a judgment which involves interpretation of law. It is the application of law through wisdom. A Din (the basis of Yadin) is a law itself. A Beit Din or "house of law" is a court or court house. As stated here, it is the act of governing by legalizing the people through laws.

Paul, himself, quotes our subject verse (Psalm 9:9) in part during the conclusion of his sermon on Mars Hill in Athens when he addressed religious idolatry (Acts 17:31). Paul speaks of God, Who commands repentance before He comes to judge the earth.

The historical conservative Siddur translates the end of the verse, "He will judge the peoples with equity." This means God will be equal in His administration of justice. The word used for "equal" is a Hebrew word with the root YaSHaR or YoSHeR with a literal meaning of "straight".

God's judgment is to give everyone an equal opportunity for repentance. Isaiah 13:6 Is a warning to us all, saying, "Wail, for the day of Adonai is near! It will come as destruction from Shaddai."

Psalms 95:7b - Today, if you hear His voice ...