HEBREW WORD STUDY – SING – ‘ASHIRAH אשירה Aleph Shin Yod Resh Hei
Psalms 89:16: “I will sing of the mercies of YHVH forever, with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.”
This Psalm was written by Ethan the Ezrahite. Bible scholars say this is the same Ethan mentioned in I Kings 4:31 who was one of the wisest men who lived next to Solomon. He was a sage who spent his life trying to know and understand YHVH. He lived during the time of Solomon and into the time of King Rehoboam. When King Rehoboam assumes the throne, Egypt came through and raided the land of all its wealth. we can almost hear Ethan the Ezrahite use the words: “O, this is the poison of deep grief; it springs all from the death of our King Solomon. O Israel, O Israel, when sorrows come, they come not single spies but in battalions.”
Even in all his wisdom, Ethan the Ezrahite could not understand how YHVH could allow such suffering to enter the land so quickly. He speaks of the promises of Elohim and the goodness of the king. He wonders how he is not to question whether or not YHVH broke His promises. Yet, he comes to realize that YHVH’s promises were conditional and Israel broke the conditions (we brake the conditions).
We can be quite impressed with Ethan the Ezrahite in the way he opens up this Psalm where he really let’s loose on Yah. Despite his questions and doubts, he affirms at the very beginning that we will sing of mercies of YHVH forever and make know His faithfulness. He’s not trying to butter YHVH up, as I fear many of us do, he is only reaffirming here that he still believes in the lovingkindness and faithfulness of God.
We have to admit when
we voice our complaints to our Abba Father, we don’t usually start off with singing of his loving kindness and faithfulness. we need to learn something here from Ethan the Ezrahite.
Note his first words are: “I will sing.” The word in the Hebrew for this singing is ashirah from the root word sur.
No one is forcing him or making him sing, he is doing it naturally, not only naturally, but note that the Hei at the end is a paragogic Hei.
Some people sing by ear, some by notes, some by letter. This is the singing of Ethan the Ezrathite, he is singing from way down in the very depths of his soul. He knows the loving-kindness of YHVH is real, he may not see it, he may have no evidence of it, in fact, all evidence points against it, but he still believes it and belts out a song proclaiming it. The word sing that is used here is sur which is also the same word used for having dominion over. Ethan the Ezrahite was singing of the loving-kindness of YHVH to establish dominion over any thoughts that YHVH might not be faithful and have enduring lovingkindness. It is also used to describe the idea of going around. This is not just a song he sings once but is continually singing.
Ever feel like sorrows come not in single spies but in battalions into your life? Ever question YHVH ’s loving-kindness? Every wonder if He has forgotten His faithfulness in your life? You are in good company because one of the wisest sages that ever lived had the same questions, but he knew in his heart that the lovingkindness of YHVH would never cease and that God was faithful and when those doubts came he just sang of the lovingkindness of YHVH being with his
“The grass withers,
the flower fades;
but the word of God stands forever.”
Met my gedagtes by gelas, mag elkeen hierin vind weer die moed om vanoggend opnuut weer jou siel te bemoedig, te motiveer, te herhinner aan Abba se getrouheid en barmhartigheid.
“O my soul don’t you ever give up, but by means of true remorse, may you find humble repentance during this 3 weeks of sorrow. May you ultimately be washed clean by His endless mercies. For His love is truly unconditional. May your flesh, soul and spirit proclaim His/Their goodness with singing and dancing. Let your heart know that He is king over all.
“In Your Name they rejoice all day long, And they are exalted in Your righteousness.”
Tehillim (Psalms) 89:16 TS2009
https://bible.com/bible/316/psa.89.16.TS2009
