Wednesday, July 11, 2007

choDev!

legh chugh pa' ghaH vay' mIgh way Daq jIH,
je Dev jIH Daq the everlasting way.
See if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.Psalms 139:24



Do Klingons ask for directions? We know they have words that would help. For example lugh, Quv, 'ev, tIng and chan.

  • lurgh the word for direction (spatial)
  • Quv coordinates
  • 'ev northwestward, area to the northwest (320 degrees on terran 360 degree compass counted clockwise with 0 at north)
  • tIng southwestward, area toward the southwest (approx 220 degrees on terran 360 degree compass counting clockwise with 0 at north)
  • chan eastward, area toward the east (90 degrees on Terran 360 degree compass with north as 0 and degrees counted clockwise)

You'll notice that, instead of four directions, north, south, east and west, they have three. This isn't surprising if you picture the three pointed star associated with Klingons. It probably follows from the fact that their ancient mathematical systems are based on the number three. I've written programs to explore that kind of math, even constructed a primitive Klingon computer to work with such numbers - it's a fascinating subject if you have an interest in different number systems.

No matter - having the vocabulary for geography and directions isn't enough. After all, in English, we have quite a few words for directions - yet everyone knows someone who is resolute in refusing to "stop and ask for directions," even when hopelessly lost - why would Klingons be any different?

legh chugh pa' ghaH vay' mIgh way Daq jIH,
je Dev jIH Daq the everlasting way.
See if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.Psalms 139:24

We need to ask for directions.


Scripture is woven through with this message - we need to find our way.

As the Apostle John notes:

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

The good news is that God wants to set us upon the right path! John makes that clear when he says,

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

At the end of Psalm 139 we find the psalmist knows this too, as he says:

See if there is any wicked way in me (Psalms 139:24a)

We NEED directions. We need God to search out the migh, the evil that has stained our lives.

The Good news is that the story continues from there. We CAN be set on the right path, as this verse calls on God:

And lead me in the everlasting way. (Psalms 139:24b)

nachah, the Hebrew word for "lead" here in the KLV is translated by "Dev," to lead, the same root I've used for shepherd or leader, DevwI'. This same Hebrew word is found in the familiar Twenty-third Psalm:
"he leadeth <nachah> me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

Righteousness - the RIGHT way - is what God desires we follow. And it's this path for which we NEED to ask directions.

What a joy it is to realize that God is there to lead us, to guide us in that way. Don't be afraid to ask!

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