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Biblical Hebrew Applied: Psalm 23 (part 6)

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“Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
(Psalm 23:6)

The word “surely” in the Hebrew is אַךְ (’ak), and it is what is called an adverbial particle. Adverbial particles make a very strong positive assertion of truth—in contrast to the trials of faith David was talking about in the previous verses (e.g., any and all of his needs being met [verse 1]; spiritual, mental, and emotional restoration [verse 3]; “the valley of deep, emotional darkness” brought on by various trials in life [Verse 4]; and confrontation with enemies [verse 5]). And it does so by stating that in the face of all of the discouraging and debilitating things he has faced, or will be confronted with, God’s “goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

However, it is important to note that the English translation “follow” does not really convey the force of its Hebrew word רָדַף (rādaph), which also means “to pursue, chase, and attend closely upon.” In this instance, this verb is in the Qal imperfect form, indicating an ongoing and continuous action of the pursuer, Who is God Almighty—יְהֹוָה (YHWH)—Who in turn is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Thus, not only does the Lord “continue to make me lie down, lead, guide, and restore me, but he also continually pursues, chases, and attends closely to me” – He is, therefore, in front of me and behind me, as He guards, protects, disciplines, and continually conforms me to the image of Jesus Christ:

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, “For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 but in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:28-39)

May the Lord, therefore, give you His comfort, strength, and His absolute assurance—once again—of His being and majesty before you as He provides for your needs; as He continually causes you to lie down in “green pastures,” and continually leads you intensely “beside quiet waters” when you need it; as He is continually and intensely is “restoring your soul”; and as He continually causes you to be “guided in the wagon tracks of righteousness.”

May you also know—assuredly—that He is behind you, continually pursuing, chasing, and closely attending to you by protecting you and providing His loving and corrective discipline in order that “you may share His holiness” and experience His “peaceful fruit of righteousness” in your life.

Comments

  1. Thank you for your marvelous publication. I read and research various words and phrases regularly, and so do many of my ‘Mormon’ friends who reverence the KJV Bible. May we all worship together eventually!

    • “and you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”; John 8:32.

  2. Thank you so much for this wonderful study!! God used you to touch my heart perfectly today. It was exactly what I needed to read. May God bless you abundantly!

  3. Thank you so much for the “meal” you prepared for us all in that study– I know it is the Lord who feeds us His word but thank you for ‘co-laboring’ with Him, as Bob Hoekstra would say:)

  4. This is great! Finally the Word shared without a price. Our church is a place where we share the same building and our Pastor is also a Jewish Rabbi, the congregation of Jewish believers and Christians worshiping the same God. Praise be to Him for making this possible. I strongly believe that we as Christians need to know the Hebrew text, it provides so much insight,clarity, and revelation to God’s Word.

  5. I, too, want to thank BLB and Pastor Justin for this series. It’s been such an uplifting way to start the day – to be reminded of God’s faithful care for us, His chosen ones. Looking forward to gleaning more of Pastor Justin’s gifts for Biblical language translation…it sure opens up and amplifies the meaning of Scripture!

  6. Thank you for specifically pointing to “follow” and the Hebrew meaning of this word. That explains so much more the meaning. Just before opening the BLB this evening, Psalm 23 came to mind – I am reminded that the Lord leads us beside still waters for rest (that was personal for me today). Thank you again.

  7. Thank you Lord for these wonderful truths
    and thank you Justin for this it has encouraged me

  8. Psalm 139:5 ” you have enclosed me behind and before, and laid your hand upon me.” Oh how the truth of His word is complete and lacking in nothing.

  9. My soul leaps for joy and adoration to the Lord. He truly “restores my soul”. This teaching remindes me of St. Patricks prayer when he was looking to evangelize Ireland “Christ before me, under me, above me …” ect. Not a direct quote but I hope you get the picture.

    Thanks

  11. I don’t mean to nit pick but, I don’t like the tranlation of romans 8:28 where it says “causes all things”. The greek word is synergeo which is better translated “works together”. In all the other verses where this word is used it speaks of God working with those not causing those. {mark 16:20, 1Cr 16:16, 2Cr 6:1, and Jms 2:22. I don’t believe that God cause things to happen to us or else all would be saved for that is His will, and the children of Israel would not of wondered in the desert. I don’t mean to take away from the discussions that are happening hear, and please take this with the heart that it was intended. God bless you all, Wayne

  12. Thank you. Your blog entries are very well written and informative. They have been a blessing to my meditation on Psalm 23. I pray God bless your work.

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