In this short beautiful psalm, we research the biblical use of the word “rock” (tzur) and discover some valuable insights. We also discuss a unique word David uses for “sanctuary” – a word found only once in the Psalms. Last, we discover how a minyan is counted for prayer.
Of David.
1 To you, Adonai, I call; my Rock, be not mute to me, lest, if You be silent to me, I become like those who descend to the pit.
צור (tzur) = “rock / cliff”
Exodus 17:6 “Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. (+ 1Cor.10:3-4)
Exodus 33:21-22 And Adonai said, “Behold, there is a place by Me where you shall stand on the rock, and while My glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with My hand until I have passed by.”
Numbers 23:9 “For from the top of the crags I see him, from the hills I behold him; behold, a people dwelling alone, and not counting itself among the nations!”
Deuteronomy 8:15 He led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the rock of flint (חלמישׁ, chala-mish).
Deuteronomy 32:4 “The Rock, His work is perfect, for all His ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is He.” [Occurs 8x in “The Song of Moses” – v.4, 13, 15, 18, 30, 31 (2x),37]
2-5 Hear the voice of my pleas when I cry to You, when I lift up my hands toward Your most holy sanctuary. 3 Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts. 4 Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; give to them what they deserve. 5 For they do not regard the works of Adonai or the work of His hands, He will tear them down and build them up no more.
דביר (d’vir)
6-8 Blessed be Adonai! For He has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. 7 Adonai is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped. My heart exults, and with my song I give Him thanks. 8 Adonai – strength belongs to Him/them. He is the stronghold of salvation of His anointed one.
ומעוז ישׁועות משׁיחו הוא׃
(u’ma’on yeshuot meshichot hu)
9 Oh, deliver Your people and bless Your heritage and shepherd them and carry them forever.
REFERENCES:
Verse 1
Deuteronomy 8:3 And He humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of Adonai.
1 Corinthians 10:3-4 And all ate the same spiritual food; and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Messiah.
Verse 9
הושׁיעה את עמך וברך את נחלתך ורעם ונשׂאם עד העולם
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Psalm 5:7 But I, through the abundance of Your steadfast love, will enter Your house. I will bow down toward Your holy temple in the fear of You.
ואני ברב חסדך אבוא ביתך אשׁתחוה אל היכל קדשׁך ביראתך
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1