Daily Proverb and Psalm

Some fragments of the Psalms were found hidden away at Masada! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/ihDCi2cLsZfHTAkf/

The Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) collection also contains fragments that were hidden away at Masada. It is for this reason that the collection is also referred to as "Discoveries in the Judaean Desert (DJD). Here is one of the fragments discovered at Masada. King David was so much more than a king. He was a rock star! We still sing his songs today.

https://www.facebook.com/DSSTranslated/posts/pfbid02TkVKZnw6furhfiKHY755TeTm1nkqEJMFNUED6pPMJhFKJKCaJH5AqkYwa71j6qcSl

Why have we placed the parenthesis around (3) and then (6)?

The English verse identifications often differ from the modern Hebrew identifications. In this case, 53:2 in English would be the same verse as 53,3 in Hebrew. In either case, the words from this fragment are as they were written over 2000 years ago.

Most English translations render "Behold God is my helper" and "the Lord is with them that uphold my soul". We have used a more direct translation in an attempt to stay true to the fragment. We see the word Elohim/אלהים(God) on this fragment as well as part of the word אדני/Adonai (Lord).

Additionally, we see the word Zion/ציון on line 4. This is a variant from our modern texts where we see "from Zion"/מציון.

https://www.facebook.com/DSSTranslated/posts/pfbid02K3PTjn2gMy9Ptww8TnzeqaKVdfdNGVzL2LgNRXAgWbKGWuxZTEg8ECMGtj8yoXWtl

Translation is difficult from one language to another. The process is often compared to art. The translator must have a good understanding of both languages and some choices have to be made. Much thought given to the original text without altering it, as well as how the translation might flow into the new language.

This post gives a little insight into the decisions made by this translator as compared to the translation found New International Version(NIV).

First a bit about this fragment.

This fragment contains text from Psalm 36 vs 12 - Psalm 37 vs 1-4. The width of the column is a bit narrow as compared to many others found within the DSS. Each line has an average of 7-8 words as compared to 10 or more from other scrolls. We see the sofit, final forms, of letters being used, as with the sofit nun in יבולון. The text is virtually an exact match with what we would see in the Masoretic Text today.

Back to the translation

Here is how one would read the NIV.
“3 Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart”. NIV - Psalm 37:3-4

Comments from this translator:

On the phrase “safe pasture”, the Hebrew word ורעה highlighted in Green text: This word רעה/ro-eh comes from the root concept of grazing, feeding or nourishing. Like most Biblical Hebrew words, this word has broad meaning. When one “feeds off of another” or “devours another” we read the word as רעה/ra-ah/evil. We also see this word being translated as “Neighbor”. In times of difficulty we sometimes give nourishment to our neighbor and at other times when we lack we feed off of them! Good neighbors help feed/nourish one another. Within the context of Psalm 37:3, I would see this word as, not just grazing, but of receiving nourishment.

On the very next word, highlighted orange. Notice how we have used a slightly smaller font to show how the tops of these letters fit with the remaining fragmented letters? This complete word is אמונה/e-mu-na. This word comes from the root concept of “truth” and with this suffix form is seen as “faith”. It seems as if the NIV has completely overlooked this word and not given attention to its translation.

On the word משאלת/mish-a-lah, highlighted in blue: The NIV has chosen to translate this word as “desire”. In our modern English one might associate "desire" with "lust". I would look for an alternate English word. The word משאלת/mish-a-lah means "askings" or "petitions". He gives us things which we ask out of the sincerity of our hearts. Notice how the lamed from the following word fits to the fragment? Li-be-cha/לבך with the lamed prefix, by the way shows ownership. It is something that is coming from our of the sincerity of our heart, rather than from the lust of ones heart.

Perhaps the following translation would sound better in our modern English?

"Trust in 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 and do good; dwell in the land and be nourished by faith and delight in 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄, and he will give you that which you ask out of your heart" Psalms 37:3-4 DSS

How does the translation you currently use compare to our translation and to that of the NIV?

I like these ancient fragments of the Biblical texts. They prove out that what we see written in our Bibles today, was preserved accurately for us.

This fragment is over 2000 years old and is from Qumran, Israel. The identification number 4Q meaning, Qumran cave 4. 103 meaning 103 scrolls were found in that cave. Proverbs (b) meaning it was the second scroll of Proverbs that was found.

"The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a strong tower for times of trouble" King David - Psalms 9:9

Proverbs 29
NKJV

YouTube Audio Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNOt5-U3Bu4

1 He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.
3 Whoever loves wisdom makes his father rejoice, But a companion of harlots wastes his wealth.
4 The king establishes the land by justice, But he who receives bribes overthrows it.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor Spreads a net for his feet.
6 By transgression an evil man is snared, But the righteous sings and rejoices.
7 The righteous considers the cause of the poor, But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame, But wise men turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man contends with a foolish man, Whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.
10 The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, But the upright seek his well-being.
11 A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back.
12 If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor have this in common: The Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 The king who judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
16 When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall.
17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul.
18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law.
19 A servant will not be corrected by mere words; For though he understands, he will not respond.
20 Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
21 He who pampers his servant from childhood Will have him as a son in the end.
22 An angry man stirs up strife, And a furious man abounds in transgression.
23 A man's pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor.
24 Whoever is a partner with a thief hates his own life; He swears to tell the truth, but reveals nothing.
25 The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.
26 Many seek the ruler's favor, But justice for man comes from the Lord.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.