Friday, 6 October 2017

Psalm 132 - God has promised provision

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Psalm 132:15-16 "I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy." NKJV

The Hebrew here seems somewhat strange. It requires a prayerful interpretation. But then, why not? Shouldn't all of Scripture (written by the Spirit) require a prayerful interpretation? These words are life and fullness. They must be spiritually discerned.

The first Hebrew word, Tzaydah, is translated as "catch", but it is not a verb. It means the product of the hunt. In ancient times, this was the produce, provision, increase, and sustenance (that which sustains us).

The next two words are the same word twice, Baraych. We know what it means when a word is repeated. This is a Hebrew form for emphasis. You may have seen this phrase (which appears in other places in Scripture) translated as "blessing I will bless." Our NKJV states, "I will abundantly bless."

The structure of the next word has a 3rd person feminine ending, "her" poor (needy). So the deeper understanding is that of a double blessing upon the provision that will apply to the needy of Zion (the resting place of God). The last 2 words of this verse are to "satisfy (with) bread" (also for the poor).

The first word of verse 16 means "and her priests." Then "I will clothe salvation" followed by a musical note called an etnachta which is a cantillation mark (looks like a point up wishbone) which is like a musical comma or rest. Most verses of Scripture have 2 parts separated by an etnachta. This is where I have placed the commas in the transliteration throughout this study.

The second part of the verse speaks of her (Zion's) "Chassids". Chesed is "grace" in Hebrew, so these are grace filled ones (translated as saints). The last 2 words are the same word twice (again). Literally, "Shouting, they will shout."

God has provision for His people. Needy, priests and saints are mentioned. The needy get something to eat, while the priests and saints get salvation and joy. There is provision throughout the kingdom of God.