{"id":80754,"date":"2018-07-09T17:51:41","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T14:51:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wall\/wall-585\/"},"modified":"2020-10-07T09:55:23","modified_gmt":"2020-10-07T06:55:23","slug":"wall-585","status":"publish","type":"wall","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wall\/wall-585\/","title":{"rendered":"chapter-Writings-Psalms-18"},"parent":0,"template":"","acf":{"type":"chapter","wall_id":"585","date":"20271125","book":"Psalms","chapter":"18","chapter_main_number":"585","books_group":"Writings","hide_acf":true,"home_image":false,"home_posts":false,"home_posts_title":"","posts_home":[],"static_cube_title":"","static_cube_brief":"","static_cube_color":"","updates_last_update":"14\/05\/2020","posts":[{"order":1,"id":"80783","color":"#f8ebe3","size":"1","name":"JPS Audio Bible Psalms Chapter 18 ","post_title":"JPS Audio Bible Psalms Chapter 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The Name Of God\u00a0 ","post_title":"In The Name Of God\u00a0","slug":"in-the-name-of-god","old_id":"81007","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":36535,"post_title":"Ezra Butler","slug":"ezra-butler","old_id":"36535","first_name":"Ezra ","last_name":"Butler","description":"Ezra Butler used to study third century texts, but is currently an artist and independent researcher living in Chicago.","short_description":"Ezra Butler used to study third century texts, but is currently an artist and independent researcher living in Chicago.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":36536,"alt":"","title":"EzraButler","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/EzraButler-e1533041370819.jpg","width":597,"height":761,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/EzraButler-e1533041370819-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/EzraButler-e1533041370819-235x300.jpg","medium-width":235,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/EzraButler-681x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":681,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/EzraButler-681x1024.jpg","large-width":681,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/EzraButler-e1533041370819.jpg","1536x1536-width":597,"1536x1536-height":761,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/EzraButler-e1533041370819.jpg","2048x2048-width":597,"2048x2048-height":761,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/EzraButler-e1533041370819.jpg","post_full_size-width":597,"post_full_size-height":761,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/EzraButler-e1533041370819-329x420.jpg","home_baner-width":329,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"585","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Just who is created in who's image?\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

Not every psalm is worth emulating. This psalm illustrates the danger of moral superiority and what happens when people do bad things in the name of God.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In the spirit of Psalm 18, which like so many others is attributed to David, I\u2019m reminded of a quotation attributed to thinkers from Henri Rousseau to Voltaire to Twain, \u201cGod created man in his own image. And man, being a gentleman, returned the favor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In the psalm, God doesn\u2019t just save the author in his time of distress. God grants the author the permission to destroy everyone else.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

We launch holy wars and inquisitions; we create laws and excommunications; we police other people\u2019s bodies, religious practices, and lives; we do evil in the name of God. Because we feel that we are innocent, our hands are clean, we are pure, we are loyal, and we are blameless.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

And with that sense of innocence, we can vanquish those we feel who are not blameless, those who we feel are perverse. They may cry out to God, but we don\u2019t care, because we know that he wouldn\u2019t answer them. We turn them to dust, and walk all over them. With that sense of superiority, we make others submissive, subjugate them, and treat them poorly, because we know what God truly wants.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The cognitive dissonance in Psalm 18 is overwhelming. 18:31 says that \u201cGod is a shield to all who seek refuge in him.\u201d but 18:42 intimates that they cried out to God, but he did not answer them, and God let them be destroyed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Constantine saw a cross of light in the sky, and had a vision of the words \u201c\u1f10\u03bd \u03c4\u03bf\u03cd\u03c4\u1ff3 \u03bd\u03af\u03ba\u03b1\u201d, or \u201cin this, conquer.\u201d The Ku Klux Klan wore white, as a symbol of purity. They burned crosses on Black people\u2019s lawns, elevating the act of senseless hate into a religious ceremony.<\/span> The women who screamed at Elizabeth Eckhart from Psalm 3<\/span><\/a> probably went to Bible study classes and read themselves into the Psalms as well. The people who forced their children into reparative therapy, who later committed suicide, also thought they were doing God\u2019s work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

But as 18:48 makes very clear, it\u2019s all about power.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Image: by Ezra Butler<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":81008,"alt":"","title":"ps18-EButler - Creating God In Our Own Image","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-EButler-Creating-God-In-Our-Own-Image.png","width":3855,"height":3006,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-EButler-Creating-God-In-Our-Own-Image-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-EButler-Creating-God-In-Our-Own-Image-300x234.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":234,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-EButler-Creating-God-In-Our-Own-Image-768x599.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":599,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-EButler-Creating-God-In-Our-Own-Image-1024x798.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":798,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-EButler-Creating-God-In-Our-Own-Image.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1198,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-EButler-Creating-God-In-Our-Own-Image.png","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1597,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-EButler-Creating-God-In-Our-Own-Image-1200x936.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":936,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-EButler-Creating-God-In-Our-Own-Image-539x420.png","home_baner-width":539,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"In The Name Of God\u00a0","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Just who is created in who's image?","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":81008,"alt":"","title":"ps18-EButler - 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","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":79835,"alt":"","title":"ron weidberg","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ron-weidberg.jpg","width":364,"height":500,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ron-weidberg-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ron-weidberg-218x300.jpg","medium-width":218,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ron-weidberg.jpg","medium_large-width":364,"medium_large-height":500,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ron-weidberg.jpg","large-width":364,"large-height":500,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ron-weidberg.jpg","1536x1536-width":364,"1536x1536-height":500,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ron-weidberg.jpg","2048x2048-width":364,"2048x2048-height":500,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ron-weidberg.jpg","post_full_size-width":364,"post_full_size-height":500,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/ron-weidberg-306x420.jpg","home_baner-width":306,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"585","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"A new series - this time Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck","post_main_content_content":"

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck - Diligam Te, Domine, Fortitude Mea (\u201cI adore you, O LORD, my strength\u201d - 18:2), The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge,Timothy Brown.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621) is considered to this day the greatest Dutch composer. Most of his life he lived in Amsterdam. His main historical significance lies in his founding of the \u201cNorth German\u201d school of organ music: a dynasty of students, players and composers, which reached its height, and its end, in Johann Sebastian Bach. From the other end, his choral works represent the epitome and summation of the Franco-Flemish school of the Renaissance, during which, for over 150 years, composers from the Low Countries dominated the composition of polyphonic choir music throughout all of Europe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This lovely motet (short, religious polyphonic composition) of Sweelinck\u2019s is based on verses 2-3 from the great song of Ps. 18. This is a part of a collection of 37 motets, called \u201cHoly Hymns\u201d that were composed in 1619. With this, Sweelinck completed a motet cycle that he composed for all 150 psalms!<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In Ps 18, as a song of thanksgiving, he expresses an attitude of humility, and submissiveness to the Creator (as opposed to later Baroque compositions on the same text, such as Scarlatti and Rameau, who emphasized its festiveness and grandeur). He retains the style of the Renaissance, wherein five equal voices share the melodies, via imitation. The publisher, as befitted the style of the times, added a part for organ, with chords - but apparently not with the permission of the composer, and today it is mostly performed a capella.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The tune which expresses the love of God develops as a web of imitations between the voices, at the same time as a very decisive counter-melody is sounded - on the words \u201cMy fortress.\u201d The contrast between the two melodies is evident in the polyphonic braid, with the intensity reaching its peak on \u201cO LORD, My rock.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

A new web of continuous imitations opens up on the words \u201cmy rescuer\u201d (Latin uses more syllables: \u201cet liberator meus\u201d), in a motif of descending scales that express the psalmist\u2019s being pursued. The second half of the motet is on \u201cmy mighty champion\u201d (\u201cet cornu salutis meae\u201d), with a new phrase, that intensifies the tonal movement until the end.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The composer may have felt that despite the beauty of the work, that he dedicated too little space to this central psalm, and later on he composed an additional work on Ps 18, larger in its structure (eight voices), and using a larger text than just the psalm, dedicating it to the marriage of an old friend.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/HueG8LNRi4k","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"The Psalms In Classical Music","tile_main_caption":"The Dutch Approach To Humility","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"A new series - this time Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/HueG8LNRi4k","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Psalms","chapter":"18","chapter_main_number":"585","date":"20271125","wall_id":"585"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":4,"id":"80811","color":"#f6f5de","size":"1","name":"Psalmsongs 18 ","post_title":"Psalmsongs 18","slug":"psalmsongs-18","old_id":"80811","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":80010,"post_title":"Gaya Aranoff Bernstein","slug":"gaya-aranoff-bernstein","old_id":"80010","first_name":"Gaya Aranoff ","last_name":"Bernstein ","description":"Gaya (Aranoff, M.D.) Bernstein has been a student of Rav Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz for many years. With his encouragement, she published Psalmsongs, A Gathering of Psalms (An Arthur Kurzweil Book, New York\/Jerusalem, 2013), and translated The Steinsaltz Tehillim, Commentary by Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz (Koren Publishers Jerusalem Ltd, 2018). She is a professor of pediatric endocrinology on the faculty of Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City.\r\n\r\n","short_description":"Gaya Aranoff Bernstein is the author of Psalmsongs: A Gathering of Psalms.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":80011,"alt":"","title":"gaya bernstein","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/gaya-bernstein.jpg","width":332,"height":492,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/gaya-bernstein-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/gaya-bernstein-202x300.jpg","medium-width":202,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/gaya-bernstein.jpg","medium_large-width":332,"medium_large-height":492,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/gaya-bernstein.jpg","large-width":332,"large-height":492,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/gaya-bernstein.jpg","1536x1536-width":332,"1536x1536-height":492,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/gaya-bernstein.jpg","2048x2048-width":332,"2048x2048-height":492,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/gaya-bernstein.jpg","post_full_size-width":332,"post_full_size-height":492,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/gaya-bernstein-283x420.jpg","home_baner-width":283,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"585","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"

I know my King
\r\nmy rock my source
\r\nmy strength
\r\nthank God
\r\nI live<\/p>\r\n

I know You hear
\r\nmy silent screams
\r\nwhen terror grips
\r\nat night
\r\nwhen I lie crouched
\r\nin chains in pain
\r\nin caves
\r\npursued
\r\nYou\u2019re there<\/p>\r\n

in earth and wind
\r\nand Mire and hail
\r\nand lightning thunder
\r\nclouds
\r\nYou shake your cherubs
\r\nfrom the sky
\r\nand angel armies
\r\nrally to my aid<\/p>\r\n

unbound by miracle
\r\nreleased
\r\nI flee I\u2019m out I\u2019m free
\r\nand armed by You
\r\nI soar and fly
\r\nleave enemies
\r\nin my wake<\/p>\r\n

and if they call me
\r\nshepherd boy
\r\nor call me Israel\u2019s king
\r\nthey know I bow
\r\nthey know I serve my God
\r\nmy God alone<\/p>\r\n

Excerpted from: Gaya Aranoff Bernstein,\u00a0Psalmsongs: A Gathering of Psalms<\/em>, (An Arthur Kurzweil Book, New York\/Jerusalem, 2013).<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":80037,"alt":"","title":"psalmsongs4","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalmsongs4.jpg","width":2894,"height":1928,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalmsongs4-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalmsongs4-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalmsongs4-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalmsongs4-1024x682.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":682,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalmsongs4.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1023,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalmsongs4.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1364,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalmsongs4-1200x799.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":799,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalmsongs4-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"929 Poetry Corner","tile_main_caption":"Psalmsongs 18","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"I know my King my rock my source","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":80037,"alt":"","title":"psalmsongs4","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalmsongs4.jpg","width":2894,"height":1928,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalmsongs4-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalmsongs4-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalmsongs4-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalmsongs4-1024x682.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":682,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalmsongs4.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1023,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalmsongs4.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1364,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalmsongs4-1200x799.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":799,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalmsongs4-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Psalms","chapter":"18","chapter_main_number":"585","date":"20271125","wall_id":"585"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":5,"id":"80984","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Migdol vs. Magdil: The Arcane World Of Textual Variants ","post_title":"Migdol vs. Magdil: The Arcane World Of Textual Variants","slug":"migdol-vs-magdil-the-arcane-world-of-textual-variants","old_id":"80984","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34243,"post_title":"Moshe Sokolow","slug":"moshe-sokolow","old_id":"34243","first_name":"Moshe","last_name":"Sokolow","description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University, and teaches a weekly class in parashat hashavu`a at Lincoln Square Synagogue. He is the author of TANAKH: An Owner\u2019s Manual (Jerusalem: Urim\/Ktav, 2015).\r\n\r\n","short_description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34244,"alt":"","title":"sokolow","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","width":302,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-300x298.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":298,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","medium_large-width":302,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","large-width":302,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","1536x1536-width":302,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","2048x2048-width":302,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","post_full_size-width":302,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","home_baner-width":302,"home_baner-height":300}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"585","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"The many similarities highlight some glaring differences\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

Psalm 18 bears a striking resemblance to 2 Samuel 22. So much of their respective texts is identical, that it is difficult to say which is more perplexing: their overall similarities or the striking differences? The former puzzlement raises a significant question of authorship and redaction, namely, why would David\u2019s \u201csong to the Lord after the Lord had saved him from the hands of all his enemies and from the clutches of Saul\u201d (1) appear in Psalms after already appearing in 2 Samuel?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Or, alternatively, why are more psalms\u2014particularly those that bear allusions to events in David\u2019s life\u2014not incorporated into the Books of Samuel? The latter perplexity raises equally significant questions about texts and their recensions, namely, why do two versions of the same song, which are about 80% identical to one another, still have so many and profound differences?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Radak\u2014whose habit of comparing parallel biblical texts we have noted in several of our previous remarks in the Early Prophets\u2014is the only medieval exegete to explicitly address this issue, saying: \u201cThis poem is written in the Book of Samuel, although there are some differences in wording, but the substance remains the same,\u201d a comment very similar to his observation on synonymous parallelism: \u201cThe subject is repeated through different words.\u201d He added: \u201c[David] composed this song at the end of his life, when God had given him relief from all his enemies.\u201d Ibn Ezra, too, commented on the circumstances of its composition, saying: \u201cHe [David] composed this song when he affirmed to his men that he would no longer accompany them into battle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Of all the differences, large and small, one is outstanding. The concluding verse in both versions displays a textual variant. In 2 Samuel 22:51, the spelling (<\/span>ketiv<\/span><\/em>) is <\/span>mgdil<\/span><\/em>, while the pronunciation (<\/span>keri<\/span><\/em>) is <\/span>migdol<\/span><\/em>. In Psalms 18:51, it is reversed; written <\/span>m-g-d-l<\/span><\/em> and meant to be pronounced <\/span>magdil<\/span><\/em>* (suggesting that the unvocalized spelling would be pronounced <\/span>migdol<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This distinction plays itself out in the incorporation of this verse in the penultimate paragraph of the grace after meals (<\/span>birkat ha-mazon<\/span><\/em>). The printed instructions in nearly every siddur stipulate that the word is to be pronounced <\/span>magdil<\/span><\/em> on weekdays and <\/span>migdol<\/span><\/em> on Shabbat. However, there are those who maintain that its pronunciation should always follow that of Psalms (<\/span>magdil<\/span><\/em>), and that that the assignment of the alternative (<\/span>migdol<\/span><\/em>) to Shabbat (\u05d1\u05e9\u05d1\u05ea - <\/span>Be-ShaBat<\/span><\/em>) is a misreading of a marginal note that merely indicated its textual origin: in 2 Samuel (<\/span>Shmuel Bet<\/span><\/em>; abbreviated \u05d1\u05e9\u201d\u05d1 <\/span>B-Sh-B<\/span><\/em>).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

*This final note follows the Masoretic text of the authoritative Aleppo Codex. Printed editions may differ.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Image: The Hebrew text of 2 Samuel 22:51, in the Leningrad Codex (1008) \/ wikipedia<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":80985,"alt":"","title":"ps18-migdol","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-migdol.jpg","width":1098,"height":428,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-migdol-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-migdol-300x117.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":117,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-migdol-768x299.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":299,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-migdol-1024x399.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":399,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-migdol.jpg","1536x1536-width":1098,"1536x1536-height":428,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-migdol.jpg","2048x2048-width":1098,"2048x2048-height":428,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-migdol.jpg","post_full_size-width":1098,"post_full_size-height":428,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-migdol-1077x420.jpg","home_baner-width":1077,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Migdol vs. Magdil: The Arcane World Of Textual Variants","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"The many similarities highlight some glaring differences","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":80985,"alt":"","title":"ps18-migdol","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-migdol.jpg","width":1098,"height":428,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-migdol-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-migdol-300x117.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":117,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-migdol-768x299.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":299,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-migdol-1024x399.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":399,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-migdol.jpg","1536x1536-width":1098,"1536x1536-height":428,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-migdol.jpg","2048x2048-width":1098,"2048x2048-height":428,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-migdol.jpg","post_full_size-width":1098,"post_full_size-height":428,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-migdol-1077x420.jpg","home_baner-width":1077,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Psalms","chapter":"18","chapter_main_number":"585","date":"20271125","wall_id":"585"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":6,"id":"81010","color":"#f7f7f5","size":"1","name":"The Way Of God Is Perfect","post_title":"The Way Of God Is Perfect","slug":"the-way-of-god-is-perfect","old_id":"81010","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33877,"post_title":"Marc Bregman","slug":"marc-bregman","old_id":"33877","first_name":"Marc","last_name":"Bregman","description":"Marc Bregman received his Ph.D. from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1991. He taught at the Hebrew Union College (Jerusalem), The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the Schechter Institute for Judaic Studies in Jerusalem, and at the Ben-Gurion University in Beer Sheba, Israel. During 1993 he was Visiting Associate Professor at Yale University, and during 1996 he was the Stroum Professor of Jewish Studies and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Washington in Seattle. During 2005, Bregman served as the Harry Starr Fellow in Judaica at Harvard University and was awarded a Teaching Fellowship at the Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He also has served as Forchheimer Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Humanities at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is the author of The Tanhuma-Yelammedenu Literature: Studies in the Evolution of the Versions (Gorgias Press, 2003). In 2006, Bregman was appointed the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, where he also headed the program in Jewish Studies, until 2013. Bregman retired from UNCG as of July 31, 2017. He has now returned to Jerusalem where he is continuing his research and teaching activities.","credit":"","image_url":"","short_description":"Marc Bregman is the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies emeritus, at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro.","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":33878,"alt":"Marc Bregman","title":"Marc Bregman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","width":361,"height":488,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-222x300.jpg","medium-width":222,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","medium_large-width":361,"medium_large-height":488,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","large-width":361,"large-height":488,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","1536x1536-width":361,"1536x1536-height":488,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","2048x2048-width":361,"2048x2048-height":488,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","post_full_size-width":361,"post_full_size-height":488,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-311x420.jpg","home_baner-width":311,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"585","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Pure and purifying - and a reason for the commandments? ","post_main_content_content":"

Our psalm begins with an elaborate superscription: \u201cFor the leader. Of David, the servant of the Lord\u2026after the Lord had saved him from the hands of all his enemies and from\u2026Saul\u201d (<\/span>18:1<\/span><\/a>). Roughly the same superscription and indeed a close version of our entire psalm is found in<\/span> 2 Samuel 22<\/span><\/a>. This song of thanksgiving and praise of God contains some of the most powerful poetry in Scripture. For example, the psalmist describes the appearance of God: \u201cThen the earth rocked and quaked; the foundations of the mountains shook, rocked by His indignation; smoke went up from His nostrils, from His mouth came devouring fire; live coals blazed forth from Him. He bent the sky and came down, thick cloud beneath His feet. He mounted a cherub and flew, gliding on the wings of the wind\u201d (<\/span>verses 8-11<\/span><\/a>).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In the course of this psalm, David exclaims: \u201cThe way of God is perfect. The word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who seek refuge in Him\u201d (<\/span>18:31<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> 2 Samuel 22:31<\/span><\/a>).<\/span> Midrash Bereshit Rabbah 44:1<\/span><\/a> interprets this verse: \u201cThe way of God is perfect\u201d - If His way is perfect, how much more is He Himself perfect! \u201cThe word of the Lord is pure (<\/span>tzrufah<\/span><\/em>)\u201d. Rav said: Were not the <\/span>mitzvot<\/span><\/em> given so that man might be purified (<\/span>le-tzaref<\/span><\/em>) by them? Do you really think that the Holy One cares if an animal is slaughtered by the front or by the back of the neck? Therefore, <\/span>mitzvot<\/span><\/em> were only given to purify God\u2019s creatures. \u201cPerfect\u201d \u2013 this refers to Abraham, who walked in the ways of perfection (see<\/span> Genesis 17:1<\/span><\/a>). For God purified him in the fiery furnace (see<\/span> Midrash Bereshit Rabbah 38:13<\/span><\/a>). And, as regards Abraham, we also see that God \u201cis a shield to all who seek refuge in Him.\u201d For God says to Abraham: \u201c\u201cFear not, Abram, I am a shield to you\u201d (<\/span>Genesis 15:1<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In discussing the reasons for the commandments, Maimonides<\/span> Guide for the Perplexed 3.26.1<\/span><\/a> ponders this Midrashic passage: \u201c\u2026What difference does it make to God whether a beast is killed by cutting the neck in front or in the back?\u00a0 Surely the commandments are only intended as a means of purifying man, as it says: \u201cThe word of the Lord is pure (i.e. purifying).\u201d This passage is very strange [suggesting God does not care how we perform <\/span>shechitah<\/span><\/em>]. And has no parallel in the writings of our Sages. But I understand it to illustrate that the commandments do serve a useful object; \"\u2026for it is not something that is empty of meaning for you\" (<\/span>Deut. 32:47<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":81011,"alt":"","title":"ps18-smelt","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-smelt.jpg","width":3240,"height":2244,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-smelt-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-smelt-300x208.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":208,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-smelt-768x532.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":532,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-smelt-1024x709.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":709,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-smelt.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1064,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-smelt.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1418,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-smelt-1200x831.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":831,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-smelt-606x420.jpg","home_baner-width":606,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"The Way Of God Is Perfect","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Pure and purifying - and a reason for the commandments? ","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":81011,"alt":"","title":"ps18-smelt","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-smelt.jpg","width":3240,"height":2244,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-smelt-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-smelt-300x208.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":208,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-smelt-768x532.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":532,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-smelt-1024x709.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":709,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-smelt.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1064,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-smelt.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1418,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-smelt-1200x831.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":831,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ps18-smelt-606x420.jpg","home_baner-width":606,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Psalms","chapter":"18","chapter_main_number":"585","date":"20271125","wall_id":"585"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":7,"id":"80982","color":"#f2e9df","size":"1","name":"The Struggle ","post_title":"The Struggle","slug":"the-struggle","old_id":"80982","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":36669,"post_title":"Yakov Azriel","slug":"yakov-azriel","old_id":"36669","first_name":"Yakov ","last_name":"Azriel","description":"Yakov Azriel, who lives in Israel, has published five books of poetry in the USA and hundreds of poems in journals and magazines. His poems have won twenty-two prizes in international poetry competitions, and he has twice been awarded fellowships from the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture.","short_description":"Yakov Azriel is an English language poet who lives in Israel","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":36670,"alt":"","title":"Yakov.Azriel.Photo","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668.jpg","width":1099,"height":1519,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668-217x300.jpg","medium-width":217,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668-741x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":741,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668-741x1024.jpg","large-width":741,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668.jpg","1536x1536-width":1099,"1536x1536-height":1519,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668.jpg","2048x2048-width":1099,"2048x2048-height":1519,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668-868x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":868,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Yakov.Azriel.Photo_-e1533158407668-304x420.jpg","home_baner-width":304,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"585","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"It is unfair for fettered men to fight\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

\"The cords of death encompassed me, the floods of Belial assailed me\" (18:5).<\/span>
\r\n
\r\n<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\"Unfair,\" exhausted wrestlers cry. They're right<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Of course, it is unfair to struggle here <\/span>
\r\n<\/span>When arms and legs are bound, it is unfair<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>To battle fallen angels night by night.<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>It is unfair for fettered men to fight<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Relentless demons day by day, who leer<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>At us, our hands completely tied, and bare<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Their fangs to jeer at us before they bite.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\"It is unfair,\" exhausted swimmers cry<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>When pulled by currents further out to sea,<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Enmeshed in nets which do not let them swim.<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Untie our hands, untie our feet, untie<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Our knotted, netted lives, O Lord, and we<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Will strive to serve You fairly, limb by limb.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"929 Poetry Corner","tile_main_caption":"The Struggle","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"It is unfair for fettered men to fight","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Psalms","chapter":"18","chapter_main_number":"585","date":"20271125","wall_id":"585"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":8,"id":"80871","color":"#faeed8","size":"1","name":"From Your Lips: Psalm 18 ","post_title":"From Your Lips: Psalm 18","slug":"from-your-lips-psalm-18","old_id":"80871","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":79754,"post_title":"Reuben Ebrahimoff","slug":"reuben-ebrahimoff","old_id":"79754","first_name":"Reuben ","last_name":"Ebrahimoff ","description":"Reuben Ebrahimoff is the author of a \"user's guide\" to the Book of Psalms, entitled \"From Your Lips to God\u2019s Ears, The 10 Things You Need To Know About the Book of Tehillim \u2013 Psalms.\" Affectionately known as \u201cThe Haftorahman,\u201d was the first Mashadi Jew from Persia to attend Yeshiva in the U.S.A. Over 2000 people read his weekly Haftorahman Handouts. He is President of Brilliant I.D.E.A.S. a jewelry manufacturing company, located in NYC. \r\n\r\n","short_description":"Reuben Ebrahimoff is the author of a \"user's guide\" to the Book of Psalms, entitled \"From Your Lips to God\u2019s Ears, The 10 Things You Need To Know About the Book of Tehillim \u2013 Psalms.\" ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":79755,"alt":"","title":"reuben ebrahimoff","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/reuben-ebrahimoff.jpg","width":252,"height":242,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/reuben-ebrahimoff-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/reuben-ebrahimoff.jpg","medium-width":252,"medium-height":242,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/reuben-ebrahimoff.jpg","medium_large-width":252,"medium_large-height":242,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/reuben-ebrahimoff.jpg","large-width":252,"large-height":242,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/reuben-ebrahimoff.jpg","1536x1536-width":252,"1536x1536-height":242,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/reuben-ebrahimoff.jpg","2048x2048-width":252,"2048x2048-height":242,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/reuben-ebrahimoff.jpg","post_full_size-width":252,"post_full_size-height":242,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/reuben-ebrahimoff.jpg","home_baner-width":252,"home_baner-height":242}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"585","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Psalms: A Users Guide","post_main_content_content":"

Psalm 18:<\/p>\r\n

Author:<\/span>
\r\n<\/span><\/em>King David--the second king of Israel and father of the Davidic royal and messianic dynasty. David composed over seventy of the 150 psalms of Sefer Tehillim.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

When and Why:<\/span>
\r\n<\/span><\/em>David wrote this psalm at a later stage in his life, and in it, he reflects on how God delivered him from his enemies and established his kingdom.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Genre:<\/span>
\r\n<\/span><\/em>Psalm of Individual Thanksgiving-This psalm emphasizes gratitude for what God has done for the individual.<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Psalm of Royalty-This psalm describes how God reigns supreme. It focuses on the human king of Israel, or upon God as King of Israel.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Chapter Summary:<\/span>
\r\n<\/span><\/em>With all his battles completed, King David sings praises of thanksgiving to God in whom he has taken refuge. God alone has shielded him and straightened his path, in the process giving him strength and teaching him how to battle. Unlike Saul, whose kingdom was short lives, \u201cHe increases the deliverance of His king, and does kindness with His anointed, to David and his seed, for evermore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This psalm contains fifty-one verses, subdivided into two parts. <\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Verse 1 serves as an introduction. <\/span>
\r\n<\/span>In verses 2-32, King David describes his prayer in time of trouble, and illustrates how God\u2019s strength saved him from his enemies. He further explains how God has rewarded him according to his merits.<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>In verses 33-51, King David describes the battle and victory, and, paralleling the verses above, illustrates how God allowed him to go out, pursue and overtake his enemies. He ends the psalm with praise and gratitude to God.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Shimush Tehillim-When to Say:<\/span>
\r\n<\/span><\/em>To ward off bandits-Verse 1 demonstrates how God delivered the psalmist from the hand of his enemies. In verse 18 he states: \u201cHe rescued me from my mighty enemy\u201d, and in verse 49 he declares: \u201cYou rescue me from my enemies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Where in the Siddur:<\/span>
\r\n<\/span><\/em>This psalm is a mirror reflection of Shmu\u2019el Bet (Samuel II), chapter 22, recited as the Haftarah of the seventh day of Passover.<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Verse 32 is recited before Ein K\u2019Eilokeniu (one of the concluding prayers of Shacharit).<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Verse 51 is part of the weekday version of Birkat HaMazon--Grace after Meals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Biblical Personalities:<\/span>
\r\n<\/span><\/em>Shaul-Saul-the first King of Israel. After Saul disobeyed God\u2019s command to destroy all of Amalek, the prophet Samuel dethroned Saul and anointed David to start a new monarchic line.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Biblical Places:<\/span>
\r\n<\/span><\/em>Heichal--Holy Temple--a term used to refer to the inner sanctuary of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Heichal contained the Holy of Holies, the resting place of the Aron HaKodesh (Holy Ark)*. It also housed the Menorah, Altar of Incense, and Table of the Showbread.<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>*The Aron HaKodesh, while present in the first Beit HaMikdash (Temple), was buried, and hence its location was not known, during the period of the second Beit HaMikdash.<\/span>
\r\n<\/span>Sheol<\/em>--Lower or Underworld; abode of the dead.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Excerpted from <\/span>From Your Lips To God\u2019s Ears<\/span><\/em>, by Reuben Ebrahimoff available on Amazon.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":79908,"alt":"","title":"psalms - rebrahimoff","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalms-rebrahimoff.png","width":1000,"height":1000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalms-rebrahimoff-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalms-rebrahimoff-300x300.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalms-rebrahimoff-768x768.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalms-rebrahimoff.png","large-width":1000,"large-height":1000,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalms-rebrahimoff.png","1536x1536-width":1000,"1536x1536-height":1000,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalms-rebrahimoff.png","2048x2048-width":1000,"2048x2048-height":1000,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalms-rebrahimoff.png","post_full_size-width":1000,"post_full_size-height":1000,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalms-rebrahimoff-420x420.png","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Psalms: A Users Guide","tile_main_caption":"From Your Lips: Psalm 18","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"A concise survey of the psalm's structure and content","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":79908,"alt":"","title":"psalms - rebrahimoff","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalms-rebrahimoff.png","width":1000,"height":1000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalms-rebrahimoff-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalms-rebrahimoff-300x300.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalms-rebrahimoff-768x768.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalms-rebrahimoff.png","large-width":1000,"large-height":1000,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalms-rebrahimoff.png","1536x1536-width":1000,"1536x1536-height":1000,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalms-rebrahimoff.png","2048x2048-width":1000,"2048x2048-height":1000,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalms-rebrahimoff.png","post_full_size-width":1000,"post_full_size-height":1000,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/psalms-rebrahimoff-420x420.png","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Psalms","chapter":"18","chapter_main_number":"585","date":"20271125","wall_id":"585"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":9,"id":"80860","color":"#f7e9e9","size":"1","name":"Cherub Rider ","post_title":"Cherub Rider","slug":"cherub-rider","old_id":"80860","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":54356,"post_title":"Robert Alter","slug":"robert-alter","old_id":"54356","first_name":"Robert ","last_name":"Alter","description":"Robert Alter is the Class of 1937 Professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature at the University of California at Berkeley, where he has taught since 1967. He has written over twenty books, focusing on such topics as the European novel from the 18th century to the present, contemporary American fiction, and modern Hebrew literature. He has also written extensively on the literary aspects of the Bible. His most recent work is his monumental three volume translation of the entire Hebrew Bible - The Hebrew Bible, W. W. Norton & Co., 2019 - from which the selections in 929 are taken. ","short_description":"Robert Alter is the Class of 1937 Professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature at the University of California at Berkeley, and author of the three-volume translation of the entire Hebrew Bible - The Hebrew Bible, W. W. Norton & Co., 2019.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":54357,"alt":"","title":"robert alter","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","width":184,"height":275,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","medium-width":184,"medium-height":275,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","medium_large-width":184,"medium_large-height":275,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","large-width":184,"large-height":275,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","1536x1536-width":184,"1536x1536-height":275,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","2048x2048-width":184,"2048x2048-height":275,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","post_full_size-width":184,"post_full_size-height":275,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/robert-alter.jpg","home_baner-width":184,"home_baner-height":275}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"585","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"No dimpled darlings these - but fierce winged beasts\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

18:11 \u201cHe mounted a cherub and flew, and He soared on the wings of the wind.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The cherub is a fierce winged beast, the charger ridden by the sky god in Canaanite mythology (not the dimpled darling of Renaissance painting). The verb \u201csoar\u201d here is one point where the text of Psalms seems better than that of 2 Samuel, which has \u201cwas seen\u201d--a word that differs by one consonant (<\/span>resh<\/span><\/em> instead of the similar-looking <\/span>dalet<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

From: Robert Alter, The Hebrew Bible<\/em>, vol. 3: Writings, W. W. Norton & Co., 2019, ad loc. By permission of the author<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":54890,"alt":"","title":"Alter-Cover","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","width":1200,"height":693,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-300x173.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":173,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-768x444.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":444,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1024x591.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":591,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","1536x1536-width":1200,"1536x1536-height":693,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","2048x2048-width":1200,"2048x2048-height":693,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1200x693.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":693,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-727x420.jpg","home_baner-width":727,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"From Robert Alter's Bible Translation and Commentary","tile_main_caption":"Cherub Rider","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"No dimpled darlings these - but fierce winged beasts","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":54890,"alt":"","title":"Alter-Cover","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","width":1200,"height":693,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-300x173.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":173,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-768x444.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":444,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1024x591.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":591,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","1536x1536-width":1200,"1536x1536-height":693,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","2048x2048-width":1200,"2048x2048-height":693,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1200x693.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":693,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-727x420.jpg","home_baner-width":727,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Psalms","chapter":"18","chapter_main_number":"585","date":"20271125","wall_id":"585"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":10,"id":"80880","color":"#effaea","size":"1","name":"Points to Ponder - 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    \r\n\t
  1. Regards from Samuel<\/em>. We actually met this \u201csong of David\u201d 300 chapters ago, during the stories of David, in 2 Samuel 22. The commentator Abarbanel counted 74 differences between the version in Samuel, and the one here, and was of the opinion that David had included the improved version in Psalms.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  2. One out of ten<\/em>. This \u201cshirah<\/em>\u201d (song) is a distinguished member of a purported group of ten Biblical texts all referred to by the term \u201cshirah<\/em>,\u201d listed in the midrashic literature. Who\u2019s on the list? Depends which version, but the better known among them are: The Song of the Sea (Exodus 15); The Song of the Well (Numbers 21); The song of parashat Ha\u2019azinu<\/em> (Deut. 32) and the Song of Deborah (Judges 5)<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  3. The servant of the Lord<\/em>. David, in verse 1 joins Moses, who was called \u201cservant of God\u201d many times, and Joshua who merited the name once. By the way, this is not the only time that David was called thus, and not even the first time (see 2 Sam.3:!8; 1 Kings 11:13, Ezekiel 34:23, and many other places).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  4. Just how strong?<\/em> The strongest. And with all the synonyms. As in verse 3: \u201cO LORD, my crag, my fortress, my rescuer, my God, my rock in whom I seek refuge, my shield, my mighty champion, my haven.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","post_main_content_image":{"id":53645,"alt":"","title":"general-qs-points to ponder","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder.jpg","width":1920,"height":603,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder-300x94.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":94,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder-768x241.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":241,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder-1024x322.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":322,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":482,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":603,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder-1200x377.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":377,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder-1337x420.jpg","home_baner-width":1337,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Psalm 18","tile_main_caption":"Points to Ponder","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Insights and questions for personal reflection and group discussion","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":53645,"alt":"","title":"general-qs-points to ponder","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder.jpg","width":1920,"height":603,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder-300x94.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":94,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder-768x241.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":241,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder-1024x322.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":322,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":482,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":603,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder-1200x377.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":377,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/general-qs-points-to-ponder-1337x420.jpg","home_baner-width":1337,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Psalms","chapter":"18","chapter_main_number":"585","date":"20271125","wall_id":"585"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":11,"id":"80765","color":"#e8ecf6","size":"1","name":"Sefaria Source Sheets - Psalms 18 ","post_title":"Sefaria Source Sheets - Psalms 18","slug":"sefaria-source-sheets-psalms-18","old_id":"80765","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":42228,"post_title":"Sefaria","slug":"sefaria","old_id":"42228","first_name":"","last_name":"Sefaria","description":"Sefaria is a non-profit organization dedicated to building the future of Jewish learning in an open and participatory way. 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    \u201cYKVK vs. Watery Sea God of Chaos\u201d<\/a> by Rabbi Loewenthal: Sources discussing how the Jewish God beat the Canaanite Sea god in Jewish texts.<\/p>\r\n

    \u201cLet my people go! (for 3 days)\u201d<\/a> by Avi Katz: Understanding Moses\u2019s actions when dealing with Pharaoh.<\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Go deeper into the chapter....","tile_main_caption":"Source Sheets - Psalms 18","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Links to learning resources","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":42232,"alt":"","title":"sefaria-words-sunburst","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","width":608,"height":395,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst-300x195.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":195,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","medium_large-width":608,"medium_large-height":395,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","large-width":608,"large-height":395,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","1536x1536-width":608,"1536x1536-height":395,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","2048x2048-width":608,"2048x2048-height":395,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","post_full_size-width":608,"post_full_size-height":395,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","home_baner-width":608,"home_baner-height":395}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"Sefaria word sunburst visualization","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","chapter_info":{"books_group":"Writings","book":"Psalms","chapter":"18","chapter_main_number":"585","date":"20271125","wall_id":"585"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall\/80754"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/wall"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80754"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}