“Psalms of Ascent Series”, Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 211, Psalm 132v2
You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134).
They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst.
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11)
Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy.
“Heb: ‘avir’ = Mighty, the mighty One of. This word occurs only in poetical passages. The first is Jacob’s blessing on his son Joseph (Gen 49:24). The third stich of that verse, which contains this word, has the expression “the hands of the Mighty One,” which is paralleled in the preceding line by the expression “hands were made strong.” The following stich has “the stone of Israel” to parallel “the Mighty One of Jacob.” The word “stone” is ןֶבֶא which sounds something like ריִבָא “Mighty One” and emphasizes his strength further.
The two appearances of the word ריִבָא in Ps 132 (vv. 2, 5) are paralleled by the divine name YHWH. The same is true of its three appearances in Isaiah (Isa 1:24; Is 49:26; Is 60:16). Notice the distribution of the term throughout this book, often trisected by critics.
The name ריִבָא used as a substitute for deity may be compared with דַחַּפ the “Fear” of Isaac (q.v., Gen 31:42, Gen 31:53). This word “Fear” is also taken by some as a surrogate for deity used especially in patriarchal times. It is possible to be translated “Kinsman.” (Albright, FSAC, p. 248; Dahood, in AB, Psalms, I, p. 81.) Harris, R. Laird, Gleason L. Archer, and Bruce K. Waltke, eds. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.6. Chicago: Moody Press, 1980.
Lk 1:48-49, Mary’s prayer.
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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)
God bless, Malcolm
PS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John
