Monday, 28 August 2017

Psalm 132 - God remembers and vows

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Psalm 132:1-2 "Lord, remember David and all his afflictions; how he swore to the Lord, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob" NKJV

We begin Psalm 132 Shir HaMa'alot (A song of ascents) "Zachor Adonai" (remember, Lord). What will be remembered? On behalf of David, remember all his afflictions.

The word for afflictions Anah, has quite a few meanings. It can mean to humble (self sacrifice), chasten, or in any way to look down upon or depress (put down).

The concept of "afflictions" is something that prevents ascension. In this verse, we are asking God to remember for the sake of David (another name of Machiach (the Son

of David) those things that keep us down (afflict us).

Then in verse 2, which Nishba meaning "we will swear" to the Lord. The Hebrew word Nadar is the same root as Nidre (as in Kol Nidre, meaning "all vows"). What did David swear to the Lord? His vows to the Mighty One of Jacob.

Let's go back to Zachor. In Hebrew, we don't just remember like the opposite of forget. When we call upon God to "remember", we are calling on Him to memorialize on behalf of David (meaning Yeshua) and His suffering. How many different ways do we speak forth the gospel message as we read the Hebrew Scriptures? We are saved based on the promises (vows) of Yeshua.