July 5, 2020
Lord, how are they increased that trouble me. This is not a question, even though the pattern of words in the English would lead in that direction. It is a lamenting declaration. The Psalmist is momentarily obscured from seeing blessing due to the number of those rising against him with blame.
- Increased. This is not a gradual rise in number. From the Hebrew word, rabbu, it appears to be a massive growth in number, in the tens of thousands. Think about how discouraging that could be to the observer, or worse yet, the target. The Psalmist has almost overnight become the target of a countless group of rebellious dissidents; they continue to grow in size; each passing moment shows the metastasizing of a cancerous conspiracy. It’s one thing to have a few coins and add one or two, thus, implying increase. But this particular idea of increase is rather spiritually pandemic in nature; it’s grand in size, massive in scope, and intimidating in number. Again, the idea of this word is not just suddenly a big number, but it is also the fast growing subversive nature of this group, more and more joining with each day.
- That trouble me. This trouble or disheartening is directly connected to his enemy. And not just a disagreeing opposer, but a hostile force. According to the intensity of the word used here, this enemy wants to do damage. It’s one thing to have a disagreement and be opposing sides that simply walk away from each other; but this trouble, this enemy who opposes, wants death and destruction to the targeted man. He has violent indignation. He would kill if given the weapon and proximity to do so. It’s like everywhere he turned someone wanted to throw a rock at him, thrust a sword through him, maul him like a lion with prey. Listen now…
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