TOKONAKI SEPITEMA 30

God's River of Joy

Ko e Vaitafe Fiefia ‘a e ‘Otua

PSALM 46:4-5

THERE IS A RIVER WHOSE STREAMS MAKE GLAD THE CITY OF GOD, THE HOLY HABITATION OF THE MOST HIGH. GOD IS IN THE MIDST OF HER; SHE SHALL NOT BE MOVED: GOD WILL HELP HER WHEN MORNING DAWNS.

SAAME 46:4-5

4 ‘Oku ai ha vaitafe, pea ko hono ngaahi manga‘i vai ‘Oku ma‘u fiefia ai ‘a e kolo ‘a ‘Elohimi, ‘Io, ‘a e potu tapu ko e nofo‘anga ‘o ‘Elioni. 5 ‘Oku ‘i kolo ‘a ‘Elohimi, ‘e ‘ikai fa‘a uea; ‘E tokoni ki ai ‘a ‘Elohimi ‘oka ‘aho leva

[LILIU FAKA-TONGA]

‘’I he Saame 46 ‘oku ha ai ha ngaahi fakamatala fekau’aki mo ha ngaahi me’a fakalilifu ‘i natula: ‘oku vai ‘a e ngaahi fonua (v.6), hiki ‘a e ngaahi mo’unga ki loto tahi (v.2), ‘u’ulu pea hou ‘a e ngaahi peau (v.3), pea ‘u’ulu ‘a e ngaahi kakai mo hiki ‘a e ngaahi pule’anga (v.6). Pea ‘i he ngalulu pehe ni ‘a e ‘univeesi, ko e me’a fakamuimui ‘e ‘ikai ke tau ‘amanaki ki ha fiefia. Ka ko ena, ‘i he “vaitafe, pea ko hono ngaahi manga‘i vai, ‘oku ma‘u fiefia ai ‘a e kolo ‘a ‘Elohimi.” Ko e fuofua ‘asi ‘a e nahala [vaitafe] ‘i he Folofola, ko e vaitafe na’e tafe ‘i he ngoue ‘Iteni, ‘o manga fa, ke ‘inasi ai ‘a mamani (Senesi 2:10-14). Ko e fakataataa ‘o e vaitafe ko eni, ‘oku ha ‘i he visone ‘a ‘Isikeli, ko e vaitafe ngalili ‘oku tafe mei he Temipale pea na’e faka’a’au ke loloto ange ‘i he’ene tafe faka-Tonga ki he Tahi Mate ‘o ne to’o ‘a e konaa ‘o e vai (47:1-12). Ko e vaitafe fiefia ‘o Saione, ‘oku fakataha’i ia mo e Vaitafe ‘o ‘Iteni pea mo e Vaitafe ‘o e Temipale, ke ma’u ai ‘a e Vaitafe ‘o e Tapuaki.

Ko e Vaitafe pe eni ‘oku toe ha ‘i he Tohi Fakahaa, "PEA ne fakahā kiate au ha vaitafe ‘o e Vaiola, na‘e ngingila ‘o hangē ko e kilisitala, ‘oku tafe mai mei he taloni ‘o e ‘Otua mo e Lami” (22:1-2). ‘Oku fakauku kitautolu ‘e Sisu ‘i he vai mo’ui, vai ‘oku fakama’a ai ‘etau angahala, ko e vai fonu fiefia ‘o e papitaiso. ‘Oku ‘i ai ‘etau ‘amanaki, ‘o tatau ai pe ‘a e tete mo e ngalulu ‘a mamani.

KO E hūfanga ‘a e ‘Otua kiate kitautolu, mo ha mālohi, Ko e tokoni ‘i he mamahi mātu‘aki ofi. (Saame 46:1).

[ENGLISH]

Psalm 46 is interwoven with cataclysmic imagery: the earth melts, mountains faceplant into the sea, waters roar and foam, nations rage and totter. In this cosmic shakeup, the last thing we expect is joy. But there it is, in the "river whose streams make glad the city of God." The first appearance of a nahar ("river") in Scripture is the river that flowed from Eden and spilled into four tributaries, on which rippled, as it were, Eden's blessings to the world (Gen. 2:10-14). In imitation of this river, vivifying water flowed from God's temple in Ezekiel's vision, deepening as it streamed southward to the Dead Sea, desalinating those waters (47:1-12). Zion's joy-giving river mixes with the rivers of Eden and the temple to be one and the same brook of blessing.

This same river reappears in Revelation as "the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb," down the street of the New Jerusalem (22:1-2). Jesus dips us into these life-giving, sin-removing, joy-bestowing waters already in baptism. There our hope resides, no matter how violently the world may shake.

O God, our refuge and strength, be always our very present help in trouble (Ps. 46:1).

 FALAITE SEPITEMA 29

Merciful "Revenge"

“Sauni” ‘aki ‘a e Meesi

PSALM 41:9-10

EVEN MY CLOSE FRIEND IN WHOM I TRUSTED, WHO ATE MY BREAD, HAS LIFTED HIS HEEL AGAINST ME. BUT YOU, O LORD, BE GRACIOUS TO ME, AND RAISE ME UP, THAT I MAY REPAY THEM!

SAAME 41:9-10

9 Ko hoku kaume‘a fafale foki, ‘A ia na‘a ku falala ki ai, Ha taha na‘e kai ‘a e mā ‘a‘aku, Kuo ne hiki hono muiva‘e kiate au. 10 Ka ko koe, ‘Eiki, ke ‘alo‘ofa mai, ‘o fokotu‘u au; Ka u fai ha sauni kiate kinautolu.

[LILIU FAKA-TONGA]

‘Oku ‘i ai ha me’a’ofa ke tau vakai ki ai ‘i he veesi ‘o e ‘aho ni. “Ko hoku kaume’a fafale,” ko hono ‘uhinga totonu, “ko e tangata salome [melino].” Pea ko e kupu ‘oku pehee, “ka u fai sauni”, ko e veape ko e, salama. ‘E lava pe ke ‘uhinga, “ke fakakakato”, “fakapale’i” pe “sauni.” Ko e ongo fo’i lea ko eni, salama mo e salome, ko e ma’u mei he lea tefito tatau. Na’e ‘omi ‘e Sisu ‘a e veesi ko eni, ‘o ne fakalave kiate Ia he’ene pehee, “ko e tangata ‘oku salome mo ia” ko Siutasi, ‘a ia te ne hiki hono muiva‘e kiate Ia  (Sione 13:18). Ko e iku’anga, ko e pekia ‘a e Misaia. 

‘I he veesi 10, ‘oku lotu ‘a Sisu, “fokotu‘u au; Ka u fai ha salama [sauni] kiate kinautolu.”  Koe’uhi, ko e lea eni ‘a Sisu, te tau liliu fefee’i ‘a e fo’i lea ‘o e veesi? ‘I he taimi na’e fokotu’u ai ‘a Sisu mei fonualoto, na’e fai sauni ‘a Sisu? Kumi huhu’i? ‘IKAI! Na’e anga fe fe ‘ene salama ‘a kinautolu na’e hola meiate Ia? "na‘e ha‘u ‘a Sīsū, ‘o tu‘u ki honau lotolotonga, ‘o ne folofola kiate kinautolu, Si‘oto‘ofa atu!" (John 20:19). Ko e founga ‘eni ‘a hotau ‘Eiki; na’e ‘ikai te ne kumi sauni, na’a ne ‘omi pe ‘ene fakamolemole.

"Kuo lelei, ka u tokoto hifo pea u mohe leva; He ko koe, ‘Eiki, ‘oku ke fe‘unga toko taha mo ‘eku nofo nonga” (Saame 4:8). 

[ENGLISH]

There is a surprise Hebrew gift waiting to be unwrapped in these verses "My close friend" is more literally "a man in shalom [at peace] with me." In the phrase "that I may repay them," the word "repay" is a form of the verb shalam. It can mean make complete, reward, or take revenge. These two Hebrew words, shalam and shalom, are from the same root. Jesus applies these verses to himself, where the "man in shalom with him" is Judas, who  is about to lift up his heel against him (John 13:18). The end result will be the Messiah's death.

In verse 10, Jesus prays, "Raise me up, that I may shalam them!" Since this is Jesus speaking, how do we translate this word? When he was raised up from the dead, did Jesus seek retribution? Revenge? No! How did he shalam all those shalom-friends who ran away from him? "Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you" (John 20:19). This is the way of our Lord: rather than looking for a pound of flesh, he gives us a ton of forgiveness.

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety" (Ps. 4:8).

 TU‘APULELULU SEPITEMA 28

Hurry up, God!

VAVE MAI KE TOKONIA, ‘E ‘OTUA

PSALM 38:21-22

DO NOT FORSAKE ME, O LORD! O MY GOD, BE NOT FAR FROM ME! MAKE HASTE TO HELP ME, O LORD, MY SALVATION!

SAAME 38:21-22

21 ‘Oua te ke li‘aki au, ‘e Sihova - ‘Oua te ke hiki ‘o mama‘o meiate au, ‘e hoku ‘Otua.

22 Vave mai ke tokonia, ‘E ‘Ātonai ko hoku fakamo‘ui‘anga.

[LILIU FAKA-TONGA]

‘I he taimi ‘oku siva ai ‘etau ‘amanaki, ‘oku tau ongo’i ‘oku ‘ikai ha ‘utu ‘e hakea - ‘oku tau nofo tailiili pea tau mamahi lahi pea tau hanga ki ‘olunga mo tuki he matapaa ‘o langi. ‘Oku tau loto ke fai ‘e he ‘Otua ha me’a ‘i he taimi ni pe. ‘I he taimi pehe ni, ‘oku fa’a fale’i mai ‘e he kaungaa fonongaa, “ke tau fa’a tatali”, ke “‘oua te tau hoha’asi ‘a e ‘Otua ki he taimi ‘atautolu.” Pe, ko e talamai ke “Oua te ke tala ki he ‘Otua ‘a e taimi ke ne fai ai ha me’a.” Ka ‘oku fehangahangai e fale’i ko eni mo e ngaahi tautapu ‘oku ha ‘i he Saame. ‘Oku tu’o fitu ‘a e tangi ‘a e fa’u Saame ‘o ngaue’aki ‘a e lea, “KUSA” (22:19; 38:22; 40:13; 70:1, 5; 71:12; 141:1). Ko e veape ko eni, ‘oku ‘uhinga, ke fakato’oto’o, ke fakavave’i ha me’a. Na’e ‘ikai fo’i ‘a e ha’a ‘Isileli, he tangi ki he ‘Otua; “Vave mai! Tali mai! Tokoni mai he taimi ni pe!”

‘Io, ‘oku tau fononga ‘i he TUI mo e ‘Amanaki. ‘Io, ‘oku tau lotu, "Ke fakahoko ho finangalo.” Ka ‘oku tau lotu fakamatoato, ta’e toe ufi mei he loto tonunga. Pea ‘oku tau lea hangatonu ki he ‘Otua ‘o tala kiate Ia hotau lotoo mo tau hoha’asi Ia ke ne taukapo’i kitautolu. KUSA! Manatu’i ‘a e uitou na’a ne fakafiu’i ‘a e fakamaau, kae ‘oleva ke ne taukapo’i ia (Luke 18:1-8)? Pea pehee ‘e Sisu, “te ne fai pe ha sauni ma’amoutolu, pea ‘e VAVE! (v.8). Koe’uhi, ko ‘ene fanau kitautolu, ‘oku tau tau’ataina pea fakaafe’i kitautolu ke tau lotu ange, “‘E Tamai, Vave mai.”

"‘E ‘ELOHIMI Ē, vave ke hamu kita; Sihova ē, vave mai ke tokonia." (Ps. 70:1).

[ENGLISH]

When our hopes are in shreds, our lives are a dumpster fire, or we're racked by stress or grief, we pound our fists on heaven's door. We want God to intervene-and we mean now! In these situations, well-meaning believers might caution us, "Now be patient and don't subject God to your timetable. Or, "Don't tell the Lord when to do something." Against such pious-sounding sentiments, seven times in the psalms, the cry rises from God's people, Chush! (22:19; 38:22; 40:13; 70:1, 5; 71:12; 141:1). The verb means to hasten something, to speed things along. The Israelites had no qualms about crying out to the Lord, "Hurry up! Answer me quickly! Act now!" 

Yes, we live by faith and hope. Yes, we pray, "Thy will be done." But we pray honestly and earnestly and boldly. That means, very often, telling God we want and need him to wake up, get up, and do something now. Chush! Remember the pertinacious widow whom Jesus commended for giving the earthly judge no rest until he heard her case (Luke 18:1-8)? Jesus adds that our heavenly Judge will give justice to us "speedily" (v. 8). As beloved children, we are free and invited to pray, "Dear Father, hurry!"

"Make haste, O God, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!" (Ps. 70:1).

 PULELULU SEPITEMA 27

Blessed Are the God-Dependent 

Monu’ia ‘a kinautolu ‘oku fakafalala ki he ‘Otua

PSALM 37:10-11

IN JUST A LITTLE WHILE, THE WICKED WILL BE NO MORE THOUGH YOU LOOK CAREFULLY AT HIS PLACE, HE WILL NOT BE THERE. BUT THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT THE LAND AND DELIGHT THEMSELVES IN ABUNDANT PEACE.

SAAME 37:10-11

10 ‘Io, ‘oku toe si‘i pea mole ‘a ia ‘oku fai kovi; ‘Io, te ke hakule ‘a e potu na‘e ‘i ai, ka ‘oku ‘ikai. 11 Ka ‘e ma‘u ‘a e fonua ‘e he fa‘a kātaki; Pea te nau fefiefia‘i ‘i he melino lahi.

[LILIU FAKA-TONGA]

Ko e folofola ‘a Sisu, "Monū‘ia ā ka ko kinautolu ‘oku fa‘a kātaki: he ‘e tō mo‘onautolu ‘a e fonua" (Matiu 5:5), na’a ne fai mei he fakakaukau ‘o e Fuakava Motu’a. Ta’u ‘e tahaafe kimu’aa, na’e hiki ‘e Tevita ‘a e lea ni: A millennium before, David had written. "Ka ‘e ma‘u ‘a e fonua ‘e he ‘anave [fa‘a kātaki]". Ko e ‘anave, ko e fehangahangai ia ‘o e ‘afungi. ‘E lava pe ke tau ui ‘a e kau ‘anave, ko e kau falala-’Otua. ‘I he Ngaahi Saame, ‘oku fafanga ‘e he ‘Otua kinautolu (22:26), tataki kinautolu (25:9), pea ne fakateunga’aki kinautolu ‘a e fakamo’ui (149:4). ‘Oku nau tangi kiate Ia (9:12), ‘oku nau polepole ‘iate Ia (34:2), pea nau kumi ki he ‘Otua (69:32). ‘Oku ‘ikai ko ha kau pe’e pe ko ha fa’ahinga vaivai ke laka noa’ia ai ‘a e kakai. Ko Mosese, ko ha tangata to’a mo ivi’ia, ka na’e taku ko e tangata ‘anave, na‘e anga kātaki ‘aupito, ‘o hulu atu ‘i he tangata kotoa na‘e ‘i he funga kelekele" (Nomipa 12:3). ‘I he founga tatau, ko e kau ‘anave, ko e kakai tui ta’emalu’ia, tonunga, mo lotolahi, kuo nau tukulolo ki he founga mo e finangalo ‘o e ‘Eiki - ‘osi mateuteu ke fakatanga’i kinautolu ‘o a’u pe ki he mate fakama’ata koe’uhi ko hono Huafa.

Ko honau tofi’aa, ‘a e kelekele, ‘a ee ‘e toe fakafo’ou ‘i he ha’ele hono ua. "‘Io, ‘oku toe si‘i pea mole ‘a ia ‘oku fai kovi" (Ps. 37:10), ka ko e kau ma’oni’oni, ‘a e kau ‘anave, te nau mo’ui’ui ‘o tupula ‘i he melino ‘oku  mafola ‘i he Pule’anga ‘o e ‘Otua. 

"‘Eiki, tu‘u hake; ‘e ‘Otua, ofa ho nima: ‘Oua na‘a ngalo ‘a e ngaohikovia!" (Saame 10:12).

[ENGLISH]

When Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth" (Matt. 5:5), he was speaking with an OT accent. A millennium before, David had written. "The anav ('meek'] shall inherit the land." The anav are the polar opposite of the arrogant. We might call them the God-dependent. In the psalms, God feeds them (22:26), leads them (25:9), and adorns them with salvation (149:4). They cry to him (9:12), are glad in the Lord (34:2), and seek God (69:32). They are not doormats, mousy men, or pushovers. Moses, a man of strength and courage, is described as "very anav, more than all people who were on the face of the earth" (Num. 12:3). Like him, the anav are bold, faithful, stronghearted believers who submit themselves to  the ways and will of the Lord-and are ready to suffer the world's mistreatment, even martyrdom, because of his name. 

Their inheritance is the land, the new earth that the Lord will fashion when he comes again. "The wicked will be no more" (Ps. 37:10), but the righteous, the anav, will flourish in the abundance of peace that pervades the kingdom of God.

"Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted" (Ps. 10:12).

 TUSITE SEPITEMA 26

Lord, Be Big and High

‘OTUA LAHI MO TAUKAKAPA

PSALM 34:3

OH, MAGNIFY THE LORD WITH ME, AND LET US EXALT HIS NAME TOGETHER!

SAAME 34:3

Mou kau mo au ke viki ‘a Sihova, Pea tau hākeaki‘i hono huafa fakataha.

[LILIU FAKA-TONGA]

‘I he veesi ‘o e ‘aho ni, ko e ongo fo’i lea, “viki” mo e “hakeaki’i” ‘oku liliu mei he fakataataa faka-Hepeluu ki ha ‘uhinga ‘oku faingata’a hono mahino’i. Ko e veape, katale, ‘a ee ‘oku liliu ‘o ma’u ai ‘a e “viki”, ‘oku ‘uhinga “ke ngaohi ke lahi.” Pea neongo ‘a e ngali kehe ki he’etau fanongoo, “mou kau mai ke tau ngaohi ‘a e ‘Otuaa ke lahi,” ka ko hono ‘uhinga totonu ia. . Ko e veape, lume, ‘a ee ‘oku liliu ‘o ma’u ai ‘a e hakeaki’ii, ‘oku ‘uhinga, “ke ngaohi ke ma’olunga.” Pea ‘i hono liliu fo’ou, te tau pehee, “Mou omi ke tau ngaohi ‘a e ‘Otua ke lahi mo ma’olunga.”

‘I he hili ‘a e palofisai ‘a Maika ki he kolo ‘e ‘alo’i mai ai ‘a e Misaia, na’e hoko atu ‘ene fakamatala ki he’ene pehee, ko e hako ko eni ‘o Tevita te ne tauhi ‘a hono kakai, pea te ne "toki hoko ia ‘o katale [lahi], ‘o a‘u ki he gaahi gata’aga ‘o mamani" - Uesi (5:4). Ko e ki’i tamasi’i valevale ko eni, na’e kofukofu fakatamasi’i valevale ‘i he ‘ai’angakai ‘o e manu, ‘e tupu hake pea ‘e tutuki ia ki ha kolosi, pea ‘e toetu’u ‘o ha’ele hake ki he langi, ‘e hoko ko e LAHI. ‘E LAHI ange ia Petelihema. ‘E Lahi ange ia ‘i ‘Isileli. ‘E lahi ange ia ‘i mamani katoa. ‘E lahi mo ma’olunga taha pe ia, pea ‘e ‘ikai ke hao ia ‘i mamani mo langi. "ko e lahi koe, ‘e Sihova ‘Elohimi”, he, “‘Oku mā‘olunga ‘a e ngaahi ngāue ‘a e ‘Eiki” pea “‘Oku angalelei mo ‘alo‘ofa ‘a e ‘Eiki” (2 Sam. 7:22; Saame 111:2; 145:8). Sisu, ke ke Lahi. ‘E Sisu ke ke Ma’olunga!

"Ke fiefia ‘i he ‘Afiona, mo hākailangitau, ‘A ia fua pē ‘oku vivili atu; Ke lavaki lau ‘a e kau ‘ofa ki ho‘o fakamo‘ui na, “‘Ē, ke hākeaki‘i ‘a e ‘Otua!”" (Saame 70:4).

[ENGLISH]

In this verse, the words "magnify" and "exalt," while correct translations, take concrete Hebrew images and flatten them into abstractions. The verb gadal, translated as "magnify," means "to make big or great." While "make the Lord big with me" is a strange sentence to our ears, it communicates the idea. The verb rum, translated as "exalt," means "to make high" or "raise up." Paraphrasing this verse, we might say, "Let's all together make the Lord and his name big and high!"

After prophesying the birthplace of the Messiah, Micah goes on to say that this Son of David shall shepherd his people, and "he shall be great [gadal] to the ends of the earth" (5:4). This tiny baby boy, swaddled in a feed trough, later transfixed to a cross, then raised high in his resurrection and ascension, would be big. Bigger than Bethlehem. Bigger than Israel. Bigger than the world. So big and so high that heaven and earth cannot contain him but are contained by him. "You are great, O LORD God," for "great are the works of the LORD" who is "great in lovingkindness" (2 Sam. 7:22; Ps. 111:2; 145:8 NASB). Jesus, be big! Jesus, be high!

"May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your

salvation say evermore, 'God is great!"" (Ps. 70:4).

 MONITE SEPITEMA 25

DIVINE SILENCE

KO E FAKALONGO FAKA-‘OTUA

PSALM 32:3-4

FOR WHEN I KEPT SILENT, MY BONES WASTED AWAY THROUGH MY GROANING ALL DAY LONG. FOR DAY AND NIGHT YOUR HAND WAS HEAVY UPON ME; MY STRENGTH WAS DRIED UP AS BY THE HEAT OF SUMMER. 

SAAME 32:3-4

3 Lolotonga ‘eku fakalongo pē, Ko hoku ngaahi hui na‘e ‘aufoe, Pea ‘osi ‘a e ‘aho mo ‘eku to‘e. 4 He ko e ‘aho mo e pō na‘e mamafa mai ho nima: Na‘a ku mahahu‘a hangē ha me‘a ‘i he la‘ala‘ā. (Sila)

[LILIU FAKA-TONGA]

Ko e ngutu ‘oku tapuni (fakalongo), ‘oku fa’a lelei ange ia ‘i he ngutu ‘oku ava [fa’a lea]. "Na‘a mo e vale, ka fakalongo ‘oku lau ko e poto: Ka tāpuni hono ngutu ‘oku tuku ko e tama ‘atamai” (Palovepi 17:28). "Ko e ‘aho ke sīlongo, Mo e ‘aho ke lea" (Koheleti 3:7). Ka kia Tevita, na’e ‘ikai ko ha me’a lelei ‘ene salase ("fakalongo"), ‘o ‘ikai te ne fakahaa’i ‘ene angahala ki he ‘Otua (Saame 32:5). Ko e faikovi ‘oku ‘ikai ke vete, ‘oku ne kainikavea ‘a e mo’ui, hange ha kanisaa: "Ko hoku ngaahi hui na‘e ‘aufoe, Pea ‘osi ‘a e ‘aho mo ‘eku to‘e" ‘Oku ‘i ai ‘a e fo’i lea Hepeluu ‘e taha, sipela tatau pe mo e salase, ka ‘oku ‘uhinga, “ke palau.”  Mahalo ‘oku fakatou ‘uhinga pe, koe’uhi, ko e palau’i (tanu) ‘e Tevita ‘ene angahala ‘i he kelekele.  Ko e uaine, ‘oku lelei ange ‘i hono tuku fuoloaa, ka ko e angahala ‘oku tuku loto’i ke fuoloa, ‘oku faka’a’au ke kovi ange pea iku ki he mate. 

Ko e vete ‘o e angahalaa, ‘oku ‘ikai ko e tala ki he ‘Otuaa ha me’a ‘oku ‘ikai te ne toka ‘afio’i. Pe ko ha fakafetongi pe fakatau mai ha fakamolemole, ‘o hangee ha fetongi koloa. Ko e vetee, ‘o ‘ikai ke fakalongoo, ‘oku ‘uhinga pe ia, ke te lea ‘aki ‘a e mo’oni. Pea ‘oku tali mai ‘e he Tamai ‘aki ha mo’oni ‘oku toe ma’olunga mo malohi ange: “Kuo u ‘osi fakamolemole’i koe, ‘oku ou fakamolemole’i koe he ‘aho ni, pea te u kei fakamolemole’i koe ‘i he kaha’u.” 

"Na‘a ku fakamo‘oni ki he ‘Afiona ‘eku hia, Pea na‘e ‘ikai te u fufū ‘eku angahala: Na‘a ku pehē, Te u vete ki he ‘Eiki ‘eku ngaahi talangata‘a; Pea na‘a ke tāmate‘i ‘a e mo‘ua ‘o ‘eku angahala" (Ps. 32:5).

[ENGLISH]

A closed mouth is usually preferable to an open one. "Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise" (Prov. 17:28). There is "a time to keep silence, and a time to speak" (Eccles. 3:7). But David did himself no good when he charash ("kept silent" or "held back"), when he did not acknowledge his sin to the Lord (Ps. 32:5). Unconfessed evildoing was a devouring cancer: "my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long." "Another Hebrew word, spelled exactly the same as charash, means "to plow." Perhaps a play on words is used here, as if David plowed his sin beneath the soil. Corked wine may grow better with age, but sin that is all bottled up grows nothing but death and decay within us.

To confess is not to tell God anything he doesn't already know. Nor is it to barter for forgiveness, as if the Lord "sells" absolutions, like shoes or hamburgers, for the cash of confession. To not keep silence, but to confess, is simply to speak the truth. And our loving Father responds with a greater, stronger truth: "I have already forgiven you, forgive you now, and always will."

"I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,' and you forgave the iniquity of my sin" (Ps. 32:5).

 SAPATE SEPITEMA 24

God's Hiding Place

Toitoi‘anga ‘o e ‘Otua

PSALM 27:5

HE WILL HIDE ME IN HIS SHELTER IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE: HE WILL CONCEAL ME UNDER THE COVER OF HIS TENT; HE WILL LIFT ME HIGH UPON A ROCK.

SAAME 27:5

He te ne fufū au ‘i hono malu ‘i he ‘aho ‘o e kovi; Te ne ‘ufi‘ufi ‘i he toitoi‘anga ‘o hono tēniti; Ko e maka te ne hiki au ki ai.

[LILIU FAKA-TONGA]

‘Oku tofanga ‘a Tevita ‘i ha faingata’a lahi faufaua. Ko e kau tuli ki he’ene mo’ui, ‘oku nau hangee ha kau kai tangata, "Ke kai hoku kakano," (Saame 27:2). Ko e loungutu loi ‘o e kau fakamo’oni loi, ‘oku nau hangee ha "fa‘ahinga ‘oku hō ‘aki ‘a e fakamālohi" (v. 12). Pea te tau pehee te ne fie hola ai ki he ngaahi mo’unga, ka ‘oku ‘ikai. ‘Oku ne fie tu’u ma’u, ‘i ha potu pe ‘e taha, ka ko e "fale ‘o Sihova" (v. 4). ‘Io, ke ne ofi ki hono ‘Otua, he ko e malu’anga pe ia; "Te ne ‘ufi‘ufi ‘i he toitoi‘anga ‘o hono tēniti" (v. 5) te ne fufuu ia ‘i ha potu lilo. Ko e satala, ko hono fufuu ‘o ha me’a, ke puli ‘i he liloo. Ko e loto pau’ia ‘o Tevita, na’e ‘ikai tu’u ‘i hono mafai faka-kautau pe taukei faka-politikale ka na’e taafataha pe ‘i he’ene ‘i he malumalu ‘o Satai. Pea neongo na’e ‘ikai lava ‘a Tevita ‘o hu ki he Potu Toputapu ‘oku ‘afio ai ‘a e Sikaina ‘o e ‘Otuaa, ka na’a ne ma’u ha loto lahi mo ha ‘amanaki ‘i he potu Lilo ko ia. 

Ko hotau Takimu’a, ‘a Sisu, kuo ne hu ki Loto Tatau, ki he Potu Toputapu, ‘a ee ‘oku ‘i ai ‘a e Tamai, koe’uhi ke “tau ma‘u mo‘o taula hotau laumālie, ko e taula mālohi mo ma‘uma‘uluta," (Hepelu 6:19). Ko ‘etau mo’ui, "‘oku fufū fakataha mo Kalaisi ‘i he ‘Otua" (Kolose 3:3), ko e mo’ui ‘oku  fufū pea malu’i ‘iate Ia, pea ko hotau taula, ‘oku fakama’u ki he Tamai.

‘Eiki Sisu, “Ke ke tauhi au ‘o hangē ha tama‘imata; Fufū au ‘i he malu ‘o ho kapakau na." (Saame 17:8).

[ENGLISH]

David is in dire straits. His pursuers are like cannibalistic men, ready "to eat up [his] flesh" (Ps. 27:2). The lying lips of false witnesses "breathe out violence" (v. 12). Rather than running for the hills, however, the poet wants to plant his feet in one place and one place only: "the house of the LORD" (v. 4). Close to his God, he is safe, for "he will conceal me under the cover of his tent" (v. 5)-literally, "he will hide me in the hiding place" or "secret me in the secret place." To satar is to hide something, to keep it secret. David's confidence rests not on his military prowess or political wits but entirely on sheltering with God. Even though David could not physically enter the Holy of Holies, that secret, sacrosanct place was where he found courage and hope.

As our forerunner, Jesus has entered into the inner place behind the curtain," into the Father's heavenly Holy of Holies, that we might have "a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul" (Heb. 6:19). Our life, "hidden with Christ in God" (Col. 3:3), is secret and secure in him who anchors us to the Father.

Lord Jesus, "hide me in the shadow of your wings" (Ps. 17:8).

 TOKONAKI SEPITEMA 23

THE WAY

‘A HONO ‘ALUNGA

PSALM 25:8-9

GOOD AND UPRIGHT IS THE LORD; THEREFORE HE INSTRUCTS SINNERS IN THE WAY. HE LEADS THE HUMBLE IN WHAT IS RIGHT, AND TEACHES THE HUMBLE HIS WAY

SAAME 25:8-9

8 ‘Oku lelei mo angatonu ‘a Sihova, Ko ia ai, ‘oku ne hulu ‘a e hala ki he kau hē na.

9 Ko e anga vaivai te ne tataki ‘i he me‘a ‘oku ngofua: ‘Io, ko e anga vaivai te ne ako ki ai hono hala ‘o‘ona.

[LILIU FAKA-TONGA]

Na’e fuofua ui ‘a e kau Kalisitiane, ko e kakai ‘o e ‘Alunga koee (Ngaue 9:2). ‘I he faka-Hepeluu, ‘e lava ke tau pehee, ko e kau Teleki. Ko e nauna, ‘oku ‘uhinga ki ha founga, hala, fononga pe ‘ulungaanga. Ko ia ai, ‘e lava pe ke ngaue’aki ki ha potu kuo a’u ki ai ho va’ee, pe ngaue ki ai ho nima, pe ko ha me’a ‘e taki koe ki ai ‘e ho loto. Ko ha hingoa lelei ki he kau muimui ‘o Sisuu, he na’e katoi ‘e he fo’i leaa ‘a e “ngaue mo e ngaahi mo’oni,” lotu mo e ngaue, tui mo e ‘ofa. Ko e Saame 25 ‘e lava pe ke tau ui ko e Saame Teleki, koe’uhi ‘oku ha tu’o 6 ‘a e fo’i lea ai. Ko e veesi 9 ‘oku kamata’aki ‘a e veape, taleki [“tataki”] pea faka’osi’aki ‘a e nauna, teleki [“hala”]. 

Ko e lea na’e fai ‘e Tomasi kia Sisu, "‘Eiki, ‘oku ‘ikai te mau ‘ilo pē ko ho‘o me‘a ki fē; pea mau ‘ilo fēfē ai ‘a e hala?" Pea tali ‘e Sisu ki ai, "Ko au pē ko e Hala, pea mo e Mo‘oni mo e Mo‘ui" (Sione 14:6). Kapau na’e lea faka-Hepelu ‘a Sisu, na’a ne tali ange, Ko AU ko e TELEKI.” Ko e ‘ALUNGA ia ki he Tamai. He "ko ia te ne akonaki‘i ai ‘a e kau agahala i he hala."- Uesi (Saame 25:8). Ko ia ‘a e Teleki ‘oku ne fakasino mo tataki ki he mo’ui ‘o e feohi mo e Laumalie Ma’oni’oni mo e Tamai. 

"‘Eiki, faka‘ilo mai ho ngaahi founga; Ako kiate au ho ngaahi ‘alunga" (Saame 25:4).

[ENGLISH]

Christians were first called those who belonged to the Way (Acts 9:2). In Hebrew, we would say they belonged to the Derek. This noun refers to a way, road, custom, journey, or behavior. Thus it can refer to where your feet travel, what your hands do, or where your heart leads. It is a good name for following Jesus because it is a broad word that encompasses "deeds and creeds." believing and doing, faith and love. Psalm 25 could be named the Derek Psalm since that noun or its verbal form (darak) occur six times. Verse 9 is especially striking because the opening verb ("he leads") and the closing noun ("way") are darak and derek, bookending the verse.

When Thomas told Jesus, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus replied, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Were Jesus speaking Hebrew, he would have said, "I am the derek." He is the path to the Father. He "instructs sinners in the way" (Ps. 25:8). He is the derek that both embodies and leads to life in the communion of the Holy Spirit and the Father.  

"Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths" (Ps. 25:4).