{"id":83209,"date":"2020-11-10T17:55:55","date_gmt":"2020-11-10T15:55:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/?p=83209"},"modified":"2020-11-10T17:55:55","modified_gmt":"2020-11-10T15:55:55","slug":"because-he-is-my-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/because-he-is-my-god\/","title":{"rendered":"Because He Is My God"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Psalm 42 opens the second book of Psalms and is attributed to the sons of Korah. When the nation of Israel wandered in the desert, Korah led a rebellion that challenged the leadership positions of Moses and Aaron. Rashi explains that the sons of Korah repented and were saved from punishment just as the earth opened and the other rebels fell to their death. As the sons were saved, they composed psalms, including this one, that prophetically describes a time after the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Korah\u2019s descendants were Levites who sang and played musical instruments in the Temple as part of their service to God. Here, they are sadly conveying their feelings of loss and bewilderment as they cannot perform their duties. This chapter expresses a passionate yearning for God. The psalm includes descriptions of joyous memories when they participated in the activities that surrounded the Temple service. The author speaks to himself in verse six, trying to find solace for his downcast soul. He tells himself to \u201chope in God,\u201d to trust God, because he will soon praise God for His salvation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The next few verses prove that the author has not convinced himself. He continues to reflect on better times and bemoans how he feels overwhelmed and alone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How does one become settled in a new reality that seems so uncertain and unfamiliar? Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch explains that the answer to this question, and the message of the psalm, can be found in a comparison of verse six and the final verse of the chapter. Verses 6 and 12 are almost identical, but the few differences drive home a message of hope and healing. Rabbi Hirsch explains that in verse six the word \u201c<\/span>panav<\/span><\/em>\u201d used to describe God\u2019s countenance can be interpreted as the intentions or purposes that God has for the author. He is challenged to recognize that one\u2019s current situation, even when difficult, comes from God and therefore salvation from that situation will also come from God.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In verse twelve the author once again encourages his downcast soul to \u201ctrust in God.\u201d This time, the author comes to recognize and asserts how to achieve this faith in God. It is accomplished, as Rabbi Hirsch explains, when one can internalize God\u2019s plans and purposes as one\u2019s own.\u00a0 Instead of \u201c<\/span>yeshuot panav<\/span><\/em>,\u201d \u201c<\/span>God\u2019s countenance<\/span><\/em>\u201d this verse concludes with \u201c<\/span>yeshuot panai v\u2019elokai<\/span><\/em>,\u201d understood by Rabbi Hirsch as \u201cthe salvations of <\/span>my countenance<\/span><\/em>, and because he is my God.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

How can one withstand an undesired change? By aligning one\u2019s own plans and goals with those of God. When one can recognize that his true purpose is to fulfill the purpose presented by God, by \u201c<\/span>elokai<\/span><\/em>,\u201d my God.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When there is no longer a conflict between one\u2019s perception of what should be and what God has caused to happen, then there are no longer feelings of uncertainty and weakness.\u00a0 Instead, feelings of stability and strength endure.<\/span><\/p>\n

In commemoration of the first yahrzeit of my mother, Chana bat Hachaver Binyamin, z”l.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","image":{"ID":65176,"id":65176,"title":"is9-gods hands","filename":"is9-gods-hands.png","filesize":0,"url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/is9-gods-hands.png","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/gods-strong-hand-and-outstretched-arm\/is9-gods-hands\/","alt":"","author":"7","description":"","caption":"","name":"is9-gods-hands","status":"inherit","uploaded_to":65175,"date":"2019-11-04 20:05:31","modified":"2023-07-09 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