My Conversation with the Psalm of David (27)
Psalm 27 is recited from the beginning of the month of Elul through Hoshana Rabba. As in our rich tradition of Midrash, I try to make sense of the words of the Psalmist and relate to it within our present-day harsh reality.
Here is to hoping that this Psalm becomes more meaningful to those who read it daily and more familiar to those who don’t.
1 To David, The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
Since Oct.7, 2023 on the morning of Simchat Torah, we fear.
We fear in our homes, we fear for the lives of our family, friends, soldiers and hostages.
The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
We are afraid of the new reality we live in, a world of unbridled hatred and vengeance.
2 When the wicked advance against me to devour me,
And they do
it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.
But only sometimes
3 Though an army besiege me
They do
my heart will not fear;
But it does
though war break out against me,
It does
even then will I be confident.
But only sometimes
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after:
Keep this singularly clear
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
I am part of an eternal people
to behold the graciousness of the Lord, and to seek Him in His temple.
We have a long history of connection
5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
We are still here
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
Through miracles of the multi-tiered missile defense system
and set me high upon a rock.
We will not drown
6 And now shall my head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me;
We breathe the air of ancient resilience and survival
and I will offer in his sacred tent shouts of joy;
I will settle with relief
I will sing, praises unto the Lord.
So be it
7 Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.
It has been a very difficult year
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.
We are looking towards hope
9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
We have all had enough absence, please help us to restore
Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.
You are beside me
10 For though my father and my mother have forsaken me, the Lord will take me up.
We no longer live in the days of Ben Gurion and Golda
11 Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
Help us find a new secure path forward for our nation
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations breathing out violence.
Witnesses who fabricate and breathe Jew hatred must find silence
13 I remain confident of this
Finally something
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Our beautiful home will return to being the land of the good and the land of the living
14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
We must wait
My heart takes courage
We can wait