psalm 1

Pondering Psalm 1

The Psalms give us a unique understanding of the ministry of the Messiah, we can see this as both Yeshua and the disciples used them extensively. Luke 24:44 tells us of Yeshua saying to his disciples after the resurrection:
“This is what I told you when I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
Yeshua knew what was in them about him and the ministry he did, is doing and will be doing, for within them we have the complete ministry of Messiah; Prophet, Priest and King.

Like many other cultures, Israel had a vibrant singing culture; in the Bible alone there are 185 songs, most of these are found in the five books of Psalms, though we must remember that the book of Psalms is more than a songbook. We might recall two other Biblical songbooks; Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon) the love song between Solomon and Shulamite and the almost directly opposite literature the Book of Lamentations with its five dirges (mournful / funeral songs), which we will read in August on Tisha B’av. Some of the songs scattered throughout the Bible are very short and some are very long, ranging from 5 to 7 words in Hebrew slightly longer in English, in (2 Chronicles 5:13 & 20:21). As compared to the very verbose 947 words in Hebrew (or some 2,400 words in English) in Psalm 119.

Like me, you may be surprised to learn how great a number of the Psalms are quoted and alluded to in the New Testament. It seems that over 100 separate passages from at least 60 different Psalms are referenced in the New Covenant. And in many of these the subject deals with the sufferings, resurrection, and the ascension of Messiah. Others are about the priesthood and future kingship of Messiah.

The Hebrew word for “psalms”, is תְּהִלִּים (Tehillim), at times translated as “hymns” or “songs of praise”. However, the Psalms are much more than this, for they contain prayers and songs, prophecies and warnings. They form the basis of much of the liturgy and worship for 1000’s of years and we too should sing these more often, they are after all God’s inspired songbook.

According to Jewish tradition (Bavli Berachot, 9b) Psalm 1 and 2 are one Psalm attributed to David, who is described as the Prophet and King. Indeed many of the psalms were written by David, who according to tradition wrote 73 in total, but others are by Asaph, Korah, Solomon, Moses and others.

This Psalm is one of the more well-known ones. It summarizes the two paths of life open to people, first the portrait of the righteous (Psalm 1:1-3), second the ruin of the wicked (Psalm 1:4-6).

The same warning is found in Jeremiah 17:5-7 “Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. (6) He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. (7) “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.” (see also Deuteronomy 30:11-20).

Some commentators have seen all of history built around this concept of the ‘two ways’.

For the Two ways are the two destinies.

1. We too must, therefore, make a choice, are we in the first Adam and in the Last Adam (Romans 5; 1 Corinthians 15:45)?
2. Are we walking in the way of Cain or Abel? (Genesis 4)
3. Do we follow ungodly or Godly advice like Ishmael or Isaac? (Genesis 16-28)
4. Do we despise our birthright and the covenant like Esau (Genesis 25:32; Hebrews 12:16) or pursue it like Jacob? (Genesis 25:32).
5. Do we build our own kingdom like Saul (1 Samuel 13:11-16) or are we men and women after God’s heart, building the Kingdom of the LORD? (1 Kings 8:17).
6. Do we walk like Orpah or Ruth, wanting to be part of the covenant people despite the hardship or do we turn back to comfortable surroundings?

More examples are in scripture, and so it makes me wonder what about us; do we walk in the Light of the Word of the Lord or sit with the scoffers?

Finally, there is an interesting phrase in verse two, his meditation this is curious  as the Hebrew has יֶהְגֶּ֗ה (yeh’geh) which is something a bird does ‘coo’ or a lion ‘growl’, as such perhaps an alternative translation might read “to murmur” or to “mumble” as if to “speak to oneself” this is not a negative as in English but indicating that His word is on our lips continually, i.e. repeating the words softly to ourselves, so that we might think about the words and study and review them throughout the day and night as it is written in Psalm 4:4 “ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah”.

Friends over the next months I hope to ponder some of the Psalms with you.

For now let me leave you with the Robert Alter a fresh translation of Psalm 1
1 Happy the man who has not walked in the wicked’s council,
nor in the way of offenders has stood,
nor in the session of scoffers has sat.
2 But the LORD’s teaching is his desire,
and His teaching he murmurs day and night            
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by streams of water,
that bears its fruit in its season
and its leaf does not wither-
and in all that he does he prospers.
4 Not so the wicked,
but like chaff that the wind drives away,
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand up in judgement,
nor offenders in the band of the righteous,
6 For the LORD embraces the way of the righteous,
and the way of the wicked is lost.

© The Book of Psalms by Robert Alter


May we be murmuring what the Lord has said and what He has done in our lives day and night.
Shalom in Messiah

Paul & Sue Cohen

spams 34

Shalom Valentin    I love Psalm 34:14 “seek shalom and pursue it” This word Shalom, it is such a wonderful word, it is significantly bigger meaning than it first appears as the ‘absence of war’ or when we think in modern Israeli terms of ‘hello’ & ‘goodbye. For Shalom is something we need to pursue, not just standing back and letting it happen, but chasing it. Yeshua said “Blessed are the Shalom makers, for they shall be called the children of God” Matthew 5:9. It is then that we are His sons and daughters. Scripture, I perceive connects four thoughts with Shalom: trust, righteousness, justice and wisdom, for each one is connected to Shalom: 1.    Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You; because he trusted in You.” The Hebrew behind “perfect peace” is “Shalom Shalom”. To obtain God’s full and perfect Shalom, we ought to remain waiting and meditating on what He has declared in His Word, who He is and what He is doing. This will quieten our minds from the busyness of life and the troubles we have in it. By submitting our minds to trust in what God is doing even in our day and in our lives. 2.    Isaiah 32:17 “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.” The words: work and effect are synonyms meaning that shalom is the result of righteousness, as are an enduring rest and confidence, because of the Lord’s doing. And as the next verse teaches, this brings shalom at home. 3.    Isaiah 59:8 “The way of peace they know not; and there is no justice in their goings: they have made them crooked paths; whosoever goes therein does not know peace.” Here the prophet connects peace and justice, not just for us but also for leaders; both Israel’s and ours we all need the conviction that peace and justice go hand in hand. 4.    James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.” James seems to summarise how to obtain that kind of Shalom: we must trust in God, seek His wisdom, and do what is right in pursuit of justice, and obtain & apply the truth in Mercy. By trusting in God, walking in the Spirit we will as the apostle Paul declared in Galatians 5:22, we will obtain “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, shalom, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness”. This will be manifested in our lives when we seek & pursue it. Then we can have that Shalom of and with God, because we did our bit, and we can be confident that He will do His bit, or give us that understanding, that we need to know that His thoughts are higher than ours. Therefore we “are anxious in nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the shalom of God, which passes all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Messiah Yeshua.” Philippians 4:6-7 So we get this Shalom from God because we allowing our mind to stay on Him, through prayer and supplication, and with thanksgiving, as an act of worship, by meditating on His Word. Not man’s peace (the absence of war) but the shalom that shall surpass all understanding. As such this shall protect your hearts and minds. This is the strength we have in God. Not our own strength and ability. It is given to those that are in Messiah Yeshua. That promise of Shalom as a gift to us was given by Messiah Yeshua in John 14:27 “Shalom I leave with you; My Shalom I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.” This is the true Shalom that we should pursue; the Shalom from God through and in Yeshua, and not just for us, we need to pass this on to all we come in contact with. This Peace is brought to us, whether we are Jews or Gentiles through faith in Yeshua. I do not need to remind you of one of the titles of Messiah, namely “Prince of Peace” – “Sar Shalom” Isaiah 9:6. How did He bring us this shalom? “The chastisement of our peace was upon him.” Isaiah 53:5, Friends, we can walk in this peace if we know Him! Finally can I spur us on to pray for Israel, that despite the obstacles they face, that they may find True Shalom in Messiah by trusting in Him, by walking in righteousness, by pursuing justice and obtaining the wisdom that comes from God above. Shalom in Messiah Paul & Sue Cohen Ps. Chosen People Ministries created the I Found Shalom website (https://www.ifoundshalom.com) with wonderful testimonies, perhaps share your favourite one with a friend who is still looking for the Peace of God. Photos of our wonderful Passover are online https://www.britchadasha.com.au/passover-celebrations-2019-sydney/ Thank you Swee and Justin for fantastic photos.  Our next meeting is this Friday the 10th of May at 7:30 pm at 32 Horace Street St Ives. Paul Cohen will be teaching on the following Torah portion.   Kedoshim קְדֹשִׁים Holy ones Leviticus 19:1 – 20:27 Ashkenazi Amos 9:7–15 Sephardi: Ezekiel 20:2–20 Matthew 12:28-34 May 11, 2019   Wednesday May 8 is Yom HaZikaron     Israel’s day of Remembrance     Thursday May 9 is Yom HaAtzma’ut.                 Israel’s Independence Day If at all possible could you kindly bring something, cheese, fruit etc. to nibble on for after the meeting.  Please also check-out your Passover photo's on our web page www.bcsydney.com and or our Facebook page!  www.facebook.com/BritChadashah.Sydney/   We are looking for storage space, a few boxes, of Celebrate Messiah's bottles and paraphernalia. If you can assist it will be much appreciated. Please contact Paul and or myself.

shakom shalom

Weekly Letter

Shalom Valentin    I love Psalm 34:14 “seek shalom and pursue it” This word Shalom, it is such a wonderful word, it is significantly bigger meaning than it first appears as the ‘absence of war’ or when we think in modern Israeli terms of ‘hello’ & ‘goodbye. For Shalom is something we need to pursue, not just standing back and letting it happen, but chasing it. Yeshua said “Blessed are the Shalom makers, for they shall be called the children of God” Matthew 5:9. It is then that we are His sons and daughters. Scripture, I perceive connects four thoughts with Shalom: trust, righteousness, justice and wisdom, for each one is connected to Shalom: 1.    Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You; because he trusted in You.” The Hebrew behind “perfect peace” is “Shalom Shalom”. To obtain God’s full and perfect Shalom, we ought to remain waiting and meditating on what He has declared in His Word, who He is and what He is doing. This will quieten our minds from the busyness of life and the troubles we have in it. By submitting our minds to trust in what God is doing even in our day and in our lives. 2.    Isaiah 32:17 “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.” The words: work and effect are synonyms meaning that shalom is the result of righteousness, as are an enduring rest and confidence, because of the Lord’s doing. And as the next verse teaches, this brings shalom at home. 3.    Isaiah 59:8 “The way of peace they know not; and there is no justice in their goings: they have made them crooked paths; whosoever goes therein does not know peace.” Here the prophet connects peace and justice, not just for us but also for leaders; both Israel’s and ours we all need the conviction that peace and justice go hand in hand. 4.    James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.” James seems to summarise how to obtain that kind of Shalom: we must trust in God, seek His wisdom, and do what is right in pursuit of justice, and obtain & apply the truth in Mercy. By trusting in God, walking in the Spirit we will as the apostle Paul declared in Galatians 5:22, we will obtain “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, shalom, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness”. This will be manifested in our lives when we seek & pursue it. Then we can have that Shalom of and with God, because we did our bit, and we can be confident that He will do His bit, or give us that understanding, that we need to know that His thoughts are higher than ours. Therefore we “are anxious in nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the shalom of God, which passes all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Messiah Yeshua.” Philippians 4:6-7 So we get this Shalom from God because we allowing our mind to stay on Him, through prayer and supplication, and with thanksgiving, as an act of worship, by meditating on His Word. Not man’s peace (the absence of war) but the shalom that shall surpass all understanding. As such this shall protect your hearts and minds. This is the strength we have in God. Not our own strength and ability. It is given to those that are in Messiah Yeshua. That promise of Shalom as a gift to us was given by Messiah Yeshua in John 14:27 “Shalom I leave with you; My Shalom I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.” This is the true Shalom that we should pursue; the Shalom from God through and in Yeshua, and not just for us, we need to pass this on to all we come in contact with. This Peace is brought to us, whether we are Jews or Gentiles through faith in Yeshua. I do not need to remind you of one of the titles of Messiah, namely “Prince of Peace” – “Sar Shalom” Isaiah 9:6. How did He bring us this shalom? “The chastisement of our peace was upon him.” Isaiah 53:5, Friends, we can walk in this peace if we know Him! Finally can I spur us on to pray for Israel, that despite the obstacles they face, that they may find True Shalom in Messiah by trusting in Him, by walking in righteousness, by pursuing justice and obtaining the wisdom that comes from God above. Shalom in Messiah Paul Cohen

who killed yeshua?

Praise the Lord, Paul and the team are all back safely from the Holy Land. The photo above is taken while I (Paul) was teaching at the ancient theatre at Caesarea Marittima, a location often mentioned in the New Covenant scriptures. In this area, we noted that Cornelius and his household became believers and the first Gentiles were added to the church (Acts 10:1-48). And so this is a significant place. The Roman Theatre, which happens to be the oldest in Israel, has a seating capacity of 3,500 people. And nearby is the dedication plaque which reads “Pontius Pilate, the prefect of Judea, has dedicated to the people of Caesarea a temple in honour of Tiberius”, yes the same Pontius Pilate that condemned Yeshua. It was he who convicted Yeshua of treason and declared that Yeshua thought himself King of the Jews, and so had Yeshua crucified. Though Pilate washes his hands to proclaim that he is not responsible for the execution of Yeshua he is the political power that allows it to happen and reluctantly sends him to his death. Which brings me to a point I want to raise, who killed Yeshua? Was it just Pilate? No, while he was the political power that could have stopped the mockery and the execution, he had a significant hand in the death of Yeshua. (Matthew 27:2, 11-14; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-38) Was it just the Romans? No, they crucified him, so they too are guilty (Matthew 27:35-44; Mark 15:24-32; Luke 23:33-43; John 19:18-27). Was it only the Jewish high-priests Annas and Caiaphas (John 18:12-14, 19-23) and the Jewish council (Sanhedrin) (Matthew 26:57, 59-68; Mark 14:53, 55-65; Luke 22:54, 63-65; John 18:24)? No, but they too are guilty as they accused him falsely and allowed his ‘kangaroo’ trials to make a mockery of Yeshua the King of the Jews. But the most controversial verse in all the Gospels is when a small number of assembled Jewish people led by the Sanhedrin tell Pilate, “His blood be on us and on our children” (Matthew 27:25). Sadly this became a source for erroneous false teaching that all generations of Jews are guilty of deicide, that is the crime of killing God. So who killed Yeshua? From a human point of view, Gentiles and Jews, and particularly the Gentile leadership of the Romans in Judea and the Jewish Sanhedrin. But we need to read more for it was Yeshua himself who said John 10:18, “No one takes it [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” So it was Yeshua who gave His life, it was He who was in control of His life and death (John 7:30 and 8:20). And He came to do the will of Him who sent Him, and to finish His work (John 4:34). So what was the will of the Father? Do we know what that was? Yes that was prophesied clearly already in the Tanach (Older Testament) Isaiah 53:10 “Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.” It was from a Divine point of view, something always in the plan of God to rescue and redeem Jews and Gentiles from their sin, and the way this was to happen was by the death of His sinless Servant, Yeshua the Messiah. This brings me to the final point; Who killed Yeshua? I did and We did, for “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” (1 Peter 2:24) So who killed Yeshua, I did, for He died for my sins, by allowing His body to be nailed to the tree (cross) that He might become the guilt offering for me. Chaverim friends, who killed Yeshua? you and me. May we as we come close to this Passover season proclaim the death of Messiah Yeshua the Lamb of God, who died for us that we might be reconciled to God through the cross (2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 1:20-21). And proclaim Isaiah 40:9-11. Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and His arm rules for Him; behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him. He will tend His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs in His arms; He will carry them in His bosom,        and gently lead those that are with young. Shalom in Messiah the Lamb of God who died for us and now as the Good Shepherd gathers us in His arms. Paul   Our next meeting is on Friday the 12th of April at 7:30 at 32 Horace Street St Ives. Paul will be teaching on the following Torah portion.

Torah Class

November 21 at 5:30 AM · 

Some #ThoughtsFromYourElder might be exactly what you need today. Enjoy!

#ThereIsAScripture:
"King David established a group of men, sons of Levi, to be singers, to present themselves before Adonai in the morning and in the evening, during the offering of burnt offerings and other designated times for the purpose of singing thanks and praise to Adonai.

“They were to stand every morning to sing thanks and praises to Adonai, and likewise every evening. They were to be present regularly before Adonai whenever burnt offerings were offered to Adonai on Shabbat, at Rosh-Hodesh, and at the other designated times…” 1Chronicles 23:30-31 CJB.

This aspect of worship started with the time when David set the Ark in the tent and continued into the era of the temples, not observed in times of Israel falling away from Yahweh and reinstituted in times of conviction and repentance.

“…David appointed them to be in charge of the service of song in the house of Adonai after the Ark had found a permanent resting place. They served as singers before the tabernacle of the tent of meeting, until Shlomo had built the house of Adonai Yerushalayim…” 1Chronicles 6:16(31)-17(32). CJB.

Shlomo employed them when the temple was completed and after him Jehoshaphat, Joash, Hezekiah, Josiah, Ezra and Nehemiah reinstituted singers to be an integral part of worship.

Can you imagine walking early in the morning close to the temple and hearing in the dim light of dawn and quiet before the noise of the day… and hearing on the morning air… the echo of voices raised in praise to the God of all creation?

Can you imagine during the day or on days of festive occasion the voices and instruments combined with, a part of, the activity of daily life in the city around the temple, life taking place with the continuous background music of musical instruments and the voices of men raised in praise?

Nothing need be changed in these days.

Do we not gather together to worship? Is He not worthy of praise at all times? Do we not offer sacrifice?

We have choirs and musical instruments and song leaders to accompany our offering, the sacrifice of our time and self focus to praise and adore and bless and honor and glorify and, and, and… and declare to the spiritual powers and principalities, the seen and unseen, that we are His, there is no other.

He has given us everything and we in turn can sing our thanksgiving and praise to Him.

What an unkindness we do ourselves to minimize the importance of our voices singing to our Father. What a disappointment it must be when we avoid the opportunity to express our love in this way.

The love we have in our hearts for Him, makes melodious and eloquent the music from our mouths in His ears. It is a love language we can speak directly to Him that is given and received privately, even though there are others around us. We have no reason to abstain.

Thank You Father, for the action of singing. Thank You for a means of expressing our “heartfeltness” towards You… for you… a spirit of love for You that has a fullness of expression words by themselves cannot impart.

We take great joy in singing to You.

In Yeshua’s name we pray

Amen

May God’s love be in us all.

May we be eager to sing to Him

Elder."