Today’s reading is Psalm 86.
David (or whoever relied so heavily on the psalms of David to pray this prayer) is talking to God. I know, that’s an obvious statement. It is, after all, a prayer. But, note this psalmist addresses God in almost the same fashion as our brothers who are scared to death to stand in front of the congregation and pray, but brave enough to try. You know, the ones who say “Father,” “Lord,” and “God” over and over and over. In seventeen verses, he addresses God with some direct reference sixteen times.
He uses the tetragrammaton, the covenant name of God, four times: 1, 6, 11, 17. This is represented by the word “LORD” in all caps.
He uses “Elohim” or “El,” the generic words for God, five times: 2, 10, 12, 14, 15. These are consistently translated “God” in this psalm. (There is one use of “Elohim” to refer to other gods in vs. 8. We’ll discuss this tomorrow).
But the one that wins the prize for most used is “Adonai,” found seven times: 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 15. This word is translated “Lord,” with only the first letter capitalized. It essentially means “Master.”
We hold up YHWH as the special name of God. Thus, we tend to think it has more importance than “Adonai.” However, recognize when the Jews saw the tetragrammaton, they refused to say it out loud. They would instead say, “Adonai.” Thus, this word was quite special to them. And our psalmist uses it seven times in seventeen verses.
The psalmist was praying to his Lord, his Master. And this was no mere appellation. David knew his place. He was the servant. He says so in vs. 2, 4, and 16. Not only that, his mother was Adonai’s maidservant in vs. 16.
In our modern day, we don’t like the Master/slave picture. However, we need to understand, “Lord” is not just an antiquated word we use to refer to God. It is a statement of submission. We call Him Lord because when we are rightly oriented toward Him, we know we are His servant, His slave.
But what a great thing we see in this psalm. We don’t like the Master/slave relationship because we picture masters victimizing and oppressing slaves for their own personal profit. That is not how David viewed his enslavement. Rather, because He was YHWH’s slave, he knew he could find protection, refuge, mercy, and deliverance. David is the servant, but he prays to his Master with the understanding the Master would actually render him service. How amazing is that?!
That is the kind of Master we have. That is our Lord. That is our God. How can we do anything but serve Him?
Praise the Lord!
Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 86.
PODCAST!!!
PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family
How does Psalm 86 admonish you?
Read the Bible 