Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

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Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

May those who love you be secure.

Psalm 122

1I rejoiced with those who said to me,

“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

2Our feet are standing

in your gates, Jerusalem.

3Jerusalem is built like a city

that is closely compacted together.

4That is where the tribes go up—

the tribes of the Lord—

to praise the name of the Lord

according to the statute given to Israel.

5There stand the thrones for judgment,

the thrones of the house of David.

6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

“May those who love you be secure.

7May there be peace within your walls

and security within your citadels.”

8For the sake of my family and friends,

I will say, “Peace be within you.”

9For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,

I will seek your prosperity.

(NIV)

In Hebrew, here.

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Meitar's "wildlife"

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Gradually I am exploring my new surroundings in Meitar.
The high heat of the day limits my hikes to the evening when an almost-cool breeze picks up.
Yesterday I reached the eastern end of my street and of the town (all of five minutes from home) and found this "mountain."
Looks like they had to cut the rock back in 1984 when they started to build the community. 

What fun to find the shaved cliffs inhabited by deer!

Even if the deer are of metal, I'm hoping they will qualify for Camera Critters Sunday meme,

because so far these are the only animals I've seen down here except for the ubiquitous cats and pigeons.
Oh, and the dogs that occupy just about every other yard on the block; I can't walk by without getting barked at.
But at least here there are rules about walking your dog on a leash.  So civilized!
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UPDATE: 

A friend in The Netherlands saw this and informed me that it is no coincidence that her quartet will today sing in church the beautiful motet of Palestrina for the beautiful words of Psalm 42:2-3:

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God.

 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God

כְּאַיָּל, תַּעֲרֹג עַל-אֲפִיקֵי-מָיִם--    כֵּן נַפְשִׁי תַעֲרֹג אֵלֶיךָ אֱלֹהִים

  צָמְאָה נַפְשִׁי, לֵאלֹהִים--    לְאֵל חָי

You can hear "Sicut cervus desiderat. Sitivit anima mea" on YouTube.

Thanks Ellis!
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King David's busted nose

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It is almost Sunday already so let's do Psalm 108.

A Song. A Psalm of David.
¹ My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
   I will sing and make melody.
   Awake, my soul!
² Awake, O harp and lyre!
   I will awake the dawn.
³ I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples,
   and I will sing praises to you among the nations.
⁴ For your steadfast love is higher than the heavens,
   and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

⁵ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
   and let your glory be over all the earth.
⁶ Give victory with your right hand, and answer me,
   so that those whom you love may be rescued.

⁷ God has promised in his sanctuary:
   ‘With exultation I will divide up Shechem,
   and portion out the Vale of Succoth.
⁸ Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;
   Ephraim is my helmet;
   Judah is my sceptre.
⁹ Moab is my wash-basin;
   on Edom I hurl my shoe;
   over Philistia I shout in triumph.’

¹⁰ Who will bring me to the fortified city?
   Who will lead me to Edom?
¹¹ Have you not rejected us, O God?
   You do not go out, O God, with our armies.
¹² O grant us help against the foe,
   for human help is worthless.
¹³ With God we shall do valiantly;
   it is he who will tread down our foes.
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Translation: RSV
Find the Hebrew and English together at Mechon Mamre.
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PHOTO:  King David next to the traditional tomb of King David on Mt. Zion.
His broken strings have been restrung and he got a coat of gold paint, but David's nose is still broken.
The recurring  vandalism is generally thought to be the way of some haredi/ultra-Orthodox Jews to show they do not approve of graven images of humans in the holy city Jerusalem.
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"Others go down to the sea in ships, ply their trade in the mighty waters"

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Psalm 107:23  is quoted on a first day cover that Israel issued on April 17, 2012.
See the envelope and stamps below. (They are enlargeable.)

Wikipedia says this psalm "is  beloved of mariners . . . and is often quoted at events involving the navy and seafarers, such as the launching of ships."
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PSALM 107
O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures for ever!
² Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
    whom he has redeemed from trouble
³ and gathered in from the lands,
    from the east and from the west,
    from the north and from the south.

⁴ Some wandered in desert wastes,
    finding no way to a city to dwell in;
⁵ hungry and thirsty,
    their soul fainted within them.
⁶ Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress;
⁷ he led them by a straight way,
    till they reached a city to dwell in.
⁸ Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wonderful works to the sons of men!
⁹ For he satisfies him who is thirsty,
    and the hungry he fills with good things.

¹⁰ Some sat in darkness and in gloom,
    prisoners in affliction and in irons,
¹¹ for they had rebelled against the words of God,
    and spurned the counsel of the Most High.
¹² Their hearts were bowed down with hard labor;
    they fell down, with none to help.
¹³ Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress;
¹⁴ he brought them out of darkness and gloom,
    and broke their bonds asunder.
¹⁵ Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wonderful works to the sons of men!
¹⁶ For he shatters the doors of bronze,
    and cuts in two the bars of iron.

¹⁷ Some were sick through their sinful ways,
    and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
¹⁸ they loathed any kind of food,
    and they drew near to the gates of death.
¹⁹ Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress;
²⁰ he sent forth his word, and healed them,
    and delivered them from destruction.
²¹ Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wonderful works to the sons of men!
²² And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
    and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

 ²³ Some went down to the sea in ships,
    doing business on the great waters;
    .יוֹרְדֵי הַיָּם, בָּאֳנִיּוֹת;    עֹשֵׂי מְלָאכָה, בְּמַיִם רַבִּים
²⁴ they saw the deeds of the Lord,
    his wondrous works in the deep.

 ²⁵ For he commanded, and raised the stormy wind,
    which lifted up the waves of the sea.
²⁶ They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths;
    their courage melted away in their evil plight;
²⁷ they reeled and staggered like drunken men,
    and were at their wits’ end.

 ²⁸ Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress;
²⁹ he made the storm be still,
    and the waves of the sea were hushed.
³⁰ Then they were glad because they had quiet,
    and he brought them to their desired haven.

 ³¹ Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wonderful works to the sons of men!
³² Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,
    and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

³³ He turns rivers into a desert,
    springs of water into thirsty ground,
³⁴ a fruitful land into a salty waste,
    because of the wickedness of its inhabitants.
³⁵ He turns a desert into pools of water,
    a parched land into springs of water.
³⁶ And there he lets the hungry dwell,
    and they establish a city to live in;
³⁷ they sow fields, and plant vineyards,
    and get a fruitful yield.
³⁸ By his blessing they multiply greatly;
    and he does not let their cattle decrease.

³⁹ When they are diminished and brought low
    through oppression, trouble, and sorrow,
⁴⁰ he pours contempt upon princes
    and makes them wander in trackless wastes;
⁴¹ but he raises up the needy out of affliction,
    and makes their families like flocks.
⁴² The upright see it and are glad;
    and all wickedness stops its mouth.
⁴³ Whoever is wise, let him give heed to these things;
    let men consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

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Please click on the information sheet to know more about the stamps and ships.
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Hear the Psalm read in Hebrew here or read the beautiful old  Jewish Publication Society translation from 1917.

The newer translation I used above is the RSVCE.
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And as dear Papa Francesco in Rome always says following the Angelus, "I wish you a good Sunday and a good lunch [buon pranzo]!”
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A message from the grave

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  PSALM 103


1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and all that is within me,

bless his holy name.

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

and do not forget all his benefits—

3 who forgives all your iniquity,

who heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the Pit,

who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

5 who satisfies you with good as long as you live

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The Lord works vindication

and justice for all who are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,

his acts to the people of Israel.

8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 He will not always accuse,

nor will he keep his anger forever.

10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,

nor repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth,

so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,

so far he removes our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion for his children,

so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.

14 For he knows how we were made;

he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for mortals, their days are like grass;

they flourish like a flower of the field;

16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

and its place knows it no more.

17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting

on those who fear him,

and his righteousness to children’s children,

18 to those who keep his covenant

and remember to do his commandments.

19 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,

and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his bidding,

obedient to his spoken word.

21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,

his ministers that do his will.

22 Bless the Lord, all his works,

in all places of his dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul. 

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Translation: NRSV 

Photos:

1. On the grave of an old couple from Finland, at the Finnish moshav, Yad Hashmona, in the Jerusalem Hills.

On the right side of the book is Psalm 103:1 in Finnish and Hebrew.

On the left is Matthew 6:33.

2. "Relief depicting an angel holding a book, Church at Belvoir (Kochav Hayarden), late 12th C, limestone. . . . The angel is probably St. Matthew." Israel Museum, Jerusalem.
Haaretz just published a free article, with photos and video,  about Belvoir, the Crusader fortress.

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What will be?

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In my sleep I heard fighter jets going over last night and had a feeling that Israel would wake up to a new phase of uncertainty.
And so it was.

The airspace over northern Israel is now closed to civilian planes until at least Thursday.

While reading today's Psalm 102 you can listen to a calming Taize song with words from the psalm:

O Lord, hear my prayer,
hear my prayer
When I call answer me
O Lord, hear my prayer,
hear my prayer
Come and listen to me . . . 

Psalm 102

A prayer of one afflicted, when faint and pleading before the Lord.
¹ Hear my prayer, O Lord;
   let my cry come to you.
² Do not hide your face from me
   on the day of my distress.
Incline your ear to me;
   answer me speedily on the day when I call.

³ For my days pass away like smoke,
   and my bones burn like a furnace.
⁴ My heart is stricken and withered like grass;
   I am too wasted to eat my bread.
⁵ Because of my loud groaning
   my bones cling to my skin.
⁶ I am like an owl of the wilderness,
   like a little owl of the waste places.
⁷ I lie awake;
   I am like a lonely bird on the housetop.
⁸ All day long my enemies taunt me;
   those who deride me use my name for a curse.
⁹ For I eat ashes like bread,
   and mingle tears with my drink,
¹⁰ because of your indignation and anger;
   for you have lifted me up and thrown me aside.
¹¹ My days are like an evening shadow;
   I wither away like grass.

¹² But you, O Lord, are enthroned for ever;
   your name endures to all generations.
¹³ You will rise up and have compassion on Zion,
   for it is time to favour it;
   the appointed time has come.
¹⁴ For your servants hold its stones dear,
   and have pity on its dust.
¹⁵ The nations will fear the name of the Lord,
   and all the kings of the earth your glory.
¹⁶ For the Lord will build up Zion;
   he will appear in his glory.
¹⁷ He will regard the prayer of the destitute,
   and will not despise their prayer.

¹⁸ Let this be recorded for a generation to come,
   so that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord:
¹⁹ that he looked down from his holy height,
   from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,
²⁰ to hear the groans of the prisoners,
   to set free those who were doomed to die;
²¹ so that the name of the Lord may be declared in Zion,
   and his praise in Jerusalem,
²² when peoples gather together,
   and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.

²³ He has broken my strength in mid-course;
   he has shortened my days.
²⁴ ‘O my God,’ I say, ‘do not take me away
   at the mid-point of my life,
you whose years endure
   throughout all generations.’

²⁵ Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth,
   and the heavens are the work of your hands.
²⁶ They will perish, but you endure;
   they will all wear out like a garment.
You change them like clothing, and they pass away;
²⁷   but you are the same, and your years have no end.
²⁸ The children of your servants shall live secure;
   their offspring shall be established in your presence.
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Translation: New Revised Standard Version
Photo:  Jerusalem's Schneller Compound, 2008
Taize community's website:  http://taize.fr/
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Kindness and justice will I sing

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For the weekly Psalm Challenge, here is Psalm 101.

1. Of David. A psalm.

Kindness and justice I will sing; to You, O LORD, I will chant a hymn.

 

2. I would study the way of the innocent—when will it come to me?!

May I walk about in the innocence of my heart within my house.

3. May I set nothing base before my eyes. I have hated acting wickedly; may it not cling to me.

4. May a perverse heart depart from me; may I know naught of evil.

5. He who secretly slanders his fellow, may I destroy; the haughty-eyed and greedy of heart, may I not abide.

6. My eyes are on the trusty men of the land, to dwell with me. May one who follows the way of the innocent be the one to serve me.

7. May no one who acts deceitfully dwell within my house; may no one who speaks lies stay before my eyes.

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This unusual and fine translation is by Rabbi Benjamin J. Segal.

See his interpretation of each psalm at his "A New Psalm" blog. 

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Photo: 

The Flame of Justice in our Supreme Court Building in Jerusalem.

See more about the Supreme Court in my earlier posts.

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Make a joyful noise with Psalm 100 !

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The little group of Psalms illustrators has finished two thirds of the Book of Psalms today, thanks to our host's nudging.  Thanks, Robert!
Join us for the Psalm Challenge as a reader or contributor over at the blog "robert geiss, A PHOTOGRAPHER'S MIND."

PSALM 100 1 A Psalm for the thank offering.    Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the lands!  

2 Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the LORD is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name! 5 For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations. .Translation: Revised Standard Version Photos  (can be much enlarged by clicking):1. Drum circle and dancing at the 2007 Jerusalem Hug.  2. Men dancing at the 2009 Kurdish Jews' Saheraneh festival.3. Entering Damascus Gate (in 2007, before it got a good cleaning and restoration)..

Aaron, big brother of Moses

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For our weekly PsalmChallenge, centered in Athens at Robert Geiss' blog, here is
PSALM 99.

1. It is the LORD Who is king—let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned on cherubim—let the earth quake.

2. The LORD is great in Zion, and exalted is He above all peoples.

3. Let them praise Your name: “Great and awesome, holy is He.”

4. Indeed, “A king’s might is loving justice.”  It was You who established equity; it was You Who made for justice and righteousness in Jacob.

5. Exalt the LORD our God and prostrate yourselves toward His footstool. Holy is He.

6. Moses and Aaron among His priests and Samuel among those who called out His name: they called upon the LORD, and it was He Who would answer them.

7. In a pillar of cloud He would speak to them; they obeyed His statutes and the law He gave them.

8. O LORD our God, it was You Who answered them; for them You were a forgiving God , though exacting retribution for their misdeeds.

9. Exalt the LORD our God, and prostrate yourselves toward His holy mountain, for holy is the LORD our God.

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Translation: Rabbi Benjamin J. Segal.  See also his commentary on the Psalms.

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Photos: Aaron the Priest and the Blooming Staff  by Ossi Yalon. 

Based on Numbers 17:16 ff.

Several of her biblical sculptures were shown at the Mamilla mall 2011 exhibit "Bible Stories."

Yalon's Aladdin and the Three Wishes wishing well appears on my blog here, and see the artist's own comments in the Comments there, too! 

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יום הזיכרון לשואה ולגבורה

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Sunday today, and I add my post to those of other blogger-Psalms-illustrators at Robert Geiss' PsalmChallenge.

This evening and tomorrow Israel commemorates יום הזיכרון לשואה ולגבורה
"Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day"  or Yom Hashoah.
When I moved to Israel, 23 years after the Second World War, young Israel's entire (Jewish and Arab) population was only 2.5 million.
This year, 2013, my country  is home to  6,000,000 Jews.
Just a thought, remembering the 6 million who never knew a State of their own.

Psalm 98

Praise the Judge of the Worl

¹ O sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvellous things.
His right hand and his holy arm
have gained him victory.
² The Lord has made known his victory;
he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
³ He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the victory of our God.

⁴ Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
⁵ Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody.
⁶ With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.

⁷ Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who live in it.
⁸ Let the floods clap their hands;
let the hills sing together for joy
⁹ at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming
to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.
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Translation: New Revised Standard Version

Photos: 
Both photos are from the website  Württembergische Landesbibliothek Stuttgart DFG-Viewer

where the manuscript pages  can be enjoyed in high resolution.

The Stuttgart Psalter was created in France in the years 820-830.

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Sowing light and joy

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For PsalmChallenge, hosted by Robert Geiss in Athens, here is

PSALM 97 

1. It is the LORD Who is king! Let the earth be glad, let the many distant lands rejoice.

2. Cloud and storm cloud round about Him, righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne.

3. Fire goes before Him, burning His foes round about.

4. His lightning bolts have lit up the world; the earth saw it and trembled;

5. mountains melting like wax in facing the LORD, in facing the Lord of all the earth.

6. The heavens have proclaimed His righteousness and all the peoples have seen His glory.

 

7. Let all who worship graven images, who boast of their idols, be dismayed; all you gods, prostrate yourselves to Him.

8. Zion heard and rejoiced; the towns of Judah were glad because of Your judgments, O LORD.

9. For You, O LORD, are Most High, above all the earth; You have taken the highest place, above all gods.

10. Lovers of the LORD, hate evil! He is the guardian of the lives of His devoted ones; from the hand of the wicked He saves them.

11. Light is sown for the righteous and for those who are upright of heart, joy.

12. Rejoice, O righteous ones, in the LORD and give thanks to His holy name. 

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Translation by Rabbi Benjamin J. Segal.  See also his commentary. 

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Photos:

Melting candles on a hot day in a grotto where many pilgrims and tourists come to pray.

"The god Nanauatzin" by Yifah Adir,  Mamilla mall exhibition.

An illuminated date palm tree near the Old City wall.

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A psalm of joy

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A joyful psalm for PsalmChallenge. 
Happy Palm Sunday from Jerusalem to the Catholic and Protestant Christians who celebrate it today!
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 PSALM 96
1 O sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth! 2 Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! 4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols; but the LORD made the heavens. 6 Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 7 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength! 8 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts! 9 Worship the LORD in holy array; tremble before him, all the earth! 10 Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yea, the world is established, it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity." 

11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 12 let the field exult, and everything in it!

     Then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy 13 before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth. .Translation: RSV  Photos from Switzerland:1. The yearly flower-growing field near Lake Neuchatel2. My favorite Alp in Canton Glarus.. 

Fresh mountain air from Switzerland

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For today's Psalm Challenge, hosted by Robert Geiss in Athens, I felt like using photos from my years in Switzerland, where mountains are mountains.

PSALM 95
[1] O come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
[2] Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
[3] For the LORD is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.

[4] In his hand are the depths of the earth;

the heights of the mountains are his also.
[5] The sea is his, for he made it;
for his hands formed the dry land.

[6] O come, let us worship and bow down,
let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
[7] For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.
O that today you would hearken to his voice!
[8] Harden not your hearts, as at Mer'ibah,
as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,
[9] when your fathers tested me,
and put me to the proof, though they had seen my work.
[10] For forty years I loathed that generation
and said, "They are a people who err in heart,
and they do not regard my ways."
[11] Therefore I swore in my anger
that they should not enter my rest.
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Translation: RSV
For commentary and another translation see Rabbi Benjamin Segal.
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Photos from Switzerland:
1, 2:  A valley and Alps in Canton Glarus.
3: A flock at the foot of the Jura Mountains.
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בְּרֹב שַׂרְעַפַּי בְּקִרְבִּי תַּנְחוּמֶיךָ יְשַׁעַשְׁעוּ נַפְשִׁי:

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Join us in  illustrating the Book of Psalms, on Sundays.
Robert is hosting at his new blog, Robert Geiss, A PHOTOGRAPHER'S MIND.
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PSALM 94
 1 O LORD, thou God of vengeance, thou God of vengeance, shine forth! 2 Rise up, O judge of the earth; render to the proud their deserts! 3 O LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult? 4 They pour out their arrogant words, they boast, all the evildoers. 5 They crush thy people, O LORD, and afflict thy heritage. 6 They slay the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless; 7 and they say, "The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive." 8 Understand, O dullest of the people! Fools, when will you be wise? 9 He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? 10 He who chastens the nations, does he not chastise? He who teaches men knowledge, 11 the LORD, knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.  

12 Blessed is the man whom thou dost chasten, O LORD, and whom thou dost teach out of thy law 13 to give him respite from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked. 14 For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; 15 for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.  

 16 Who rises up for me against the wicked? Who stands up for me against evildoers? 17 If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have dwelt in the land of silence. 18 When I thought, "My foot slips," thy steadfast love, O LORD, held me up.

 19 When the cares of my heart are many, thy consolations cheer my soul. בְּרֹב שַׂרְעַפַּי בְּקִרְבִּי תַּנְחוּמֶיךָ יְשַׁעַשְׁעוּ נַפְשִׁי  20 Can wicked rulers be allied with thee, who frame mischief by statute? 21 They band together against the life of the righteous, and condemn the innocent to death. 22 But the LORD has become my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge. 23 He will bring back on them their iniquity and wipe them out for their wickedness; the LORD our God will wipe them out. .Translation: RSV (Revised Standard Version), 1952, 1971For a different translation and for commentary, see Rabbi Benjamin J. Segal.
Photos (all can be enlarged with a click or two): 1. Remains of an ancient shomera (~ watchman's hut).2. A different shomera,  also in the Jerusalem Hills. 3. Rakafot (cyclamens) grow in the ancient terrace walls..

The spider in the Psalter

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Whenever I am at a loss how to illustrate the PsalmChallenge Sunday psalm, I look in the beautiful medieval Stuttgart Psalter to see how they did it.
So imagine my consternation today when I found our Psalm 90 illustrated with a man watching a spider spin its web.
Huh?? I didn't see a spider mentioned in any of the translations I had perused nor in the original Hebrew.

Then it dawned on me that the copyist creating the manuscript in 820-830 in France would have only the Latin  Vulgate available to him.
It was only much later, during the Protestant reformation in the 14th and 15th centuries, that the Bible was translated into modern languages (against great resistance from the Catholic Church).

So I searched our Psalm 90 in the Vulgate for some sign of a spider and sure enough:

9 Quoniam omnes dies nostri defecerunt in ira tua defecimus anni nostri sicut aranea meditabantur
10 Dies annorum nostrorum in ipsis sep tuaginta anni si autem in potentatibus octoginta anni et amplius eorum labor et dolor quoniam supervenit mansuetudo et cor ripiemur

Online dictionaries say that aranea is Latin for 1. spider, 2. spider web, 3. (figuratively) threads similar to spider webs.

The English Psalter translates the verses as
9 For all our days are spent; and in thy wrath we have fainted away. Our years shall be considered spider:
 10 the days of our years in them are threescore and ten years. But if in the strong they be fourscore years: and what is more of them is labour and sorrow. For mildness is come upon us: and we shall be corrected.

Or more polished:
"Our years pass away like those of a spider." 
Meaning our life is as frail as the thread of a spider  web.
But still, I don't understand where the translator could have gotten spider from the Hebrew
(ט) כִּי כָל יָמֵינוּ פָּנוּ בְעֶבְרָתֶךָ כִּלִּינוּ שָׁנֵינוּ כְמוֹ הֶגֶה

Photo is from Württembergische Landesbibliothek Stuttgart DFG-Viewer

where it can be enjoyed in high resolution

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OK, let's see the whole Psalm 90 in a good and modern translation by Rabbi Benjamin J. Segal, directly from the Hebrew:

1. A prayer of Moses, the Man of God:

O Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation.

2. Before the mountains were born, before You formed the earth and the world,

from eternity to eternity You are God.

3. You turn mankind back to dust; You decreed, “Turn back, you children of man!”

4. For in Your sight a thousand years are like yesterday that has passed, like a watch in the night.

5. You cause them to flow by. They are sleep. At daybreak they are like grass that renews itself;

6. at daybreak it flourishes, renewed; by dusk it withers and dries up.

7. Indeed we are consumed by Your anger, terror-struck by Your fury.

8. You have set our iniquities before You, our hidden sins in the light of Your face.

9. All our days pass away under Your wrath; we consume our years like a sigh.

10. The days of our years are all of seventy years or, given the strength, eighty years; but the best of them are trouble and sorrow. They pass by speedily, and we fly away.

11. Who can know Your furious anger, and Your wrath, which matches the fear of You.

12. Bring us to know how to count our days rightly, that we may obtain a wise heart.

13. Turn, O Lord! How long?! Show mercy to Your servants.

14. Satisfy us at daybreak with Your steadfast love that we may sing for joy all our days.

15. Give us joy for as many days as You have afflicted us, for the years we have seen calamity.

16. Let Your deeds be seen by Your servants, Your glory by their children.

17. May the favor of the Lord, our God, be with us; establish with us the work of our hands; yes, the work of our hands, establish it!

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Translation: Rabbi Segal.  See his excellent commentary.

Photos (all can be enlarged with a click and then a second click):
1. Stuttgarter Psalter
2. Statues made from Dead Sea salt crystals.  Mamilla mall Ahava store.
3. Just before the sun rises over Jerusalem.  You can see the tall mast of the Calatrava bridge on the horizon.
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