quvHa'!

chay' tIq DIchDaq wIj batlh taH tlhe'ta' Daq quvHa'?
You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Psalm 4:2b

(click for podcast version)

Honor. Even a casual observor of Klingon-kind is going to notice that HONOR - or the lack of it is a critical focus for tlhinganpu' (Klingons). This is expressed in a saying like:

Qu' buSHa'chugh SuvwI', batlhHa' vangchugh, qoj matlhHa'chugh, pagh ghaH SuvwI''e'.
If a warrior ignores duty, acts dishonorably, or is disloyal, he is nothing. [The Klingon Way,« by Marc Okrand]

So it is often with humans. This is even expressed in the defiant call: Death before dishonor, or as a Klingon would say it: quvHa'pa' Hegh.

chay' tIq DIchDaq wIj batlh taH tlhe'ta' Daq quvHa'?
You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Psalm 4:2b

But David here is not so concerned with BEING honorable, but the injustice he faces at the hands of deadly enemies - enemies who included his own family. It is not surprising that he cries out at their unfair treatment of him. David's son, Absalom, had led a rebellion against the king - working for years to undermine David's authority, telling anyone who presented a problem to him:

“You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it. I wish I were the judge. Then people could bring their problems to me, and I would give them justice!”

2 Samuel 15:3-5 NLT

When the time had come, and people were all looking to Absalom as a better ruler than David - he sprung his rebellion. Our contemporary political fights are nothing new! Whether today, or in David's time, the political operatives would have done well to think about another Klingon saying:

batlhHa' vanglu'taHvIS quv chavbe'lu'.
One does not achieve honor while acting dishonorably. [The Klingon Way,« by Marc Okrand]

The word used in this verse for dishonor is quvHa' - a typical Klingon construction quv (to honor) plus the suffix Ha', which inverts the meaning quv, honor, quvHa' DIShonor. (This is similar to the word often used for "love" in Klingon: muSHa', mus, to-hate plus Ha') The Hebrew is kehlimmah, from a root meaning to wound, and is translated variouisly - as confusion, dishonor, reproach, and shame. It appears about 30 times in the Bible.

While David's complaint is understandable, Jesus has an interesting response to suffering dishonor at the hands of enemies:

"Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Mt 5:11-12 WEB

We cannot count on a world that treats us fairly - our lives, our times, may have ups and downs. Writing on the website decentfilms.com, Steven Greydanus notes, speaking of Tolkien:

All of this is shaped by the author’s consciousness of the fallenness of the world and the inevitable sorrows of this life. "I am a Christian, and indeed a Roman Catholic," Tolkien once wrote to a friend, "so that I do not expect ’history’ to be anything but a ’long defeat’ — though it contains (and in a legend may contain more clearly and movingly) some samples or glimpses of final victory." (http://www.decentfilms.com/sections/articles/2559)

Yes, the world may bring us defeat, may bring us the closest of friends who turn on us, may bring us dishonor when we least expect it. That would only be discouraging if we had no other hope - but that is not the case, as Jesus reminds us:

I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Say HIja' Somebody!

Daq 'Iv taH the batlh reH je ever. Amen.
to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen Galatians 1:5

(click for podcast)

There are limits to the practical value of studying a language like Klingon - which is not to say there are NONE. It is certainly a great way to learn about linguistics - and understand the limits of translation between languages and cultures. And in studying languages, real and constructed, you also can discover a few universals.

Without warp drives or cloaking devices, words have the power to move across borders, from culture to culture. Some time ago I talked about Alleluia - a scripture word that has found its way into many languages. Today I've got another - a universal word you all know whether you speak Afrikaans, Bulgarian, Creole, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Esperanto, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Icelandic, Italian, Kenyan, Latvian, Maori, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, or Xhosa. Can somebody say "amen?"

Originally a Hebrew word, from a primitive root meaning to build up or support, Amen has become a part of many languages. We see it used in different ways in the Bible. As a word used to reinforce a statement (eg. when the we read in the Nehemiah "The whole assembly responded, 'Amen,' "), used in prayer ("Bless his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen!" Psalm 72:19)) and as a title for Christ ("the one who is the Amen" Rev 3:14) Actually, even when we don't see it, you can find "Amen" being used, for it is a word that at times IS translated. For example, the familiar words of Jesus as translated in the King James Bible "Verily, verily, I say unto you" translate the Greek "amen amen lego umin" (amen, amen I say to you).

I think it's natural that, in translating Biblical texts in some distant future, we'd preserve "Amen" as a part of the vocabulary. And just as naturally, we'd include synonyms for the strong affirmation when the congregation calls out "Amen!" For Klingons, I'd nominate "HIja'!" That's one of the Klingon words for yes, and I can imagine a Klingon preacher calling out

HIja' noblaH'a' vay'  - can somebody give a HIja'?

 

But what is the point? Is "Amen" simply a rallying cry? Is it no more than a religious cheer or demonstration of loyalty. No - I'd say that the bottom line is truth. As a verb, it signifies to confirm, establish, verify; to trust, or give confidence; as a noun, truth, firmness, trust, confidence; as an adjective, firm, stable. We say "amen" to what is indeed TRUE.

It's not unusual to regard believers as engaging in some disconnected-from-reality enterprise. To see worshippers as being part of a fanciful set of beliefs that don't connect to the day-to-day world. I disagree, and think it is a shame when some believers appear to question science - seeming to fear or doubt the truth. The foundations of a Biblical faith are found in dictates like those of Leviticus "'You shall not steal; neither shall you deal falsely, nor lie to one another. (19:11). The AMEN of believers is to a faith that includes honesty as central - so core to the faith that it is within the ten commandments.

Those who commit themselves to the God of the Bible are putting their trust in one who we're told "cannot lie." So when considering the promises of God - take heart! Whether you speak Afrikaans, Bulgarian, Creole, Croatian,Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Icelandic, Italian, Klingon, Latvian, Mando'a, Maori, Russian, or Vulcan - these promises are indeed something about which to shout AMEN!

vaD however law' 'oH the promises vo' joH'a', Daq ghaH ghaH the . HIja'..
vaj je vegh ghaH ghaH the .Amen,. Daq the batlh vo' joH'a' vegh maH.

For however many are the promises of God, in him is the "Yes." Therefore also through him is the "Amen," to the glory of God through us. 2Co 1:20

Hear My Prayer!

Qoy wIj tlhobtaHghach
hear my prayer. Psalm 4:1c

(click for podcast version)


Prayer. Or, tlhlobtaHghach, as rendered in the KLV, is a mystery.

If you are inclined to be overly analytical - maybe the kind of person who ponders "can God make a rock so big he can't lift it?" - you may ponder WHY prayer is needed at ALL. Doesn't God know what we need? Indeed Isaiah records God's word about that very point:

'oH DIchDaq qaS vetlh, qaSpa' chaH ja', jIH DichDaq jang; je qaStaHvIS chaH 'oH yet speaking, jIH DichDaq Qoy.

It shall happen that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24

And yet - we pray. In desperate straits David - and we - call out

Qoy wIj tlhobtaHghach
hear my prayer.

Well, of course. Prayer is a part of the life of believers. From beginning to end, it is the advice, the command of Scripture

In the first book of Chronicles we read:

Seek the LORD and his strength. Seek his face forever more. (1 Chr 16:11)

And James tells us:

Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises. (James 5:13)

We pray - we plead, we ask. That is the heart of the Klingon word I've used for prayer: tlhob, to request, plead, or ask, plus taH (on-going) with the nominalizer -ghach. tlhobtaHghach - an asking or plea.

This is the single word used in my KLV for prayer, but there are many used in the original languages - remember, the KLV is a simple relexification - word-for-word replacement - of the WEB. It is more the start of a translation - an example of a pidgin-language that might be used in a world with multi-lingual Klingon and English speakers.

The Bible has something like a dozen words in Hebrew and Greek, that are translated as "prayer." In this passage, tlhobtaHghach represents the Hebrew word tephillah, used about 70 times in the Bible, a word meaning an intercession or supplication. The most common Greek word in the Bible translated prayer is proseuche, used over 30 times in the Bible.

We ASK as believers because we are confident, not of a power or machinery behind the Universe, but of a PERSON. A Personal God who is there to hear when we call - a God who wants our "joy to be full." Psalm 17 reads:

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.
Bend down and listen as I pray. (Psalm 17:6 NLT)

So, in delight or despair, joy or pain, we turn to him,

we ask,

we call out

Qoy wIj tlhobtaHghach
hear my prayer.

Prayer. Or, tlhlobtaHghach, as rendered in the KLV, is a mystery.

If you are inclined to be overly analytical - maybe the kind of person who ponders "can God make a rock so big he can't lift it?" - you may ponder WHY prayer is needed at ALL. Doesn't God know what we need? Indeed Isaiah records God's word about that very point:

'oH DIchDaq qaS vetlh, qaSpa' chaH ja', jIH DichDaq jang; je qaStaHvIS chaH 'oH yet speaking, jIH DichDaq Qoy.

It shall happen that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24

And yet - we pray. In desperate straits David - and we - call out

Qoy wIj tlhobtaHghach
hear my prayer.

Well, of course. Prayer is a part of the life of believers. From beginning to end, it is the advice, the command command of Scripture

In the first book of Chronicles we read:

Seek the LORD and his strength. Seek his face forever more. (1 Chr 16:11)

And James tells us:

Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises. (James 5:13)

We pray - we plead, we ask. That is the heart of the Klingon word I've used for prayer: tlhob, to request, plead, or ask, plus taH (on-going) with the nominalizer -ghach. tlhobtaHghach - an asking or plea.

This is the single word used in my KLV for prayer, but there are many used in the original languages - remember, the KLV is a simple relexification - word-for-word replacement - of the WEB. It is more the start of a translation - an example of a pidgin-language that might be used in a world with multi-lingual Klingon and English speakers.

The Bible has something like a dozen words in Hebrew and Greek, that are translated as "prayer." In this passage, tlhobtaHghach represents the Hebrew word tephillah, used about 70 times in the Bible, a word meaning an intercession or supplication. The most common Greek word in the Bible translated prayer is proseuche, used over 30 times in the Bible.

We ASK as believers because we are confident, not of a power or machinery behind the Universe, but of a PERSON. A Personal God who is there to hear when we call - a God who wants our "joy to be full." Psalm 17 reads:

I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.
Bend down and listen as I pray. (Psalm 17:6 NLT)

So, in delight or despair, joy or pain, we turn to him,

we ask,

we call out

Qoy wIj tlhobtaHghach
hear my prayer.

Q&A

jang jIH ghorgh jIH ja', joH'a' vo' wIj QaQtaHghach.

Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness. Psalm 4.1a

(click for podcast version)

This is Klingon praying! David's words jump right in, no careful build up, no proper liturgical form. Answer me NOW!

Does this bother you? Our idea of worship and prayer is often formal and very "polite."

This isn't wrong - any more than manners and respect are wrong in a family.

But in a solid, secure, relationship we can express more than the quiet emotions. Sometimes we need to shout. Sometimes we have to call out with force.

Klingons certainly understand this range of emotions. Their idea of romance, after all, involves the male reading poetry - while the female yells and throws things.

And David's demand for an answer grows out of the memory of all the LORD has done for him, and for God's people. One ancient writer reflected on this Biblical faith, saying:

Then I remembered your mercy, O Lord,

and your deeds from long ago.

You rescue those who wait for you

and save them from their enemies. [Sirach 51:8]

The Hebrew word used here, `anah, is a common one. It is used over 300 times in the Bible and has a variety of meanings - it's a primitive root; properly meaning, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond. You can find it in the KJV translated as, among other things:(cause to, give) answer, cry, hear, say, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness.

The sense here is "reply," just as it is in the Klingon term "jang." IF you wanted a grammatically proper Klingon rendering of jang jIH you would say HIjang! ("you-answer-me")

jang jIH ghorgh jIH ja', joH'a' vo' wIj QaQtaHghach.

Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness. Psalm 4.1a

Thinking about this Psalm, one writer noted the necessity of being bold enough to approach God in prayer:

Hear me when I call - No man has a right to expect God to hear him if he do not call. Indeed, how shall he be heard if he speak not? There are multitudes who expect the blessings of God as confidently as if they had prayed for them most fervently; and yet such people pray not at all! (Abbot)

Part of the practice of prayer is being clear. Vague ideas, aimless thoughts may work to have reverence toward God - but the command of Scripture is

Don’t worry about anything;

instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need,

and thank him for all he has done. (Philippians 4:6 NLT)

ASK - and don't treat it as a message tossed into the void. God WILL answer, maybe not as you expect, but he will answer.

So maybe, as you work toward being a prayer warrior, you can adopt just a little of that Klingon spirit. As you pray, perhaps you might try, along with the "amen", to every now and then throw in a heartfelt "HIjang" - "ANSWER ME!"

Secrets!

jIH ja'ta' pagh Daq pegh.

I said nothing in secret. John 18:20b

(click for podcast version)

Secrets. Klingons value secrets - so much so that they have a whole class of sayings - secrecy proverbs - "they are most frequently used in situations where you want to show that you can keep a secret under *any* conditions." (Power Klingon language tape) If you ever need to impress a Klingon with your appreciation of secrecy, you might say one of these:

Hov ghajbe'bogh ram rur pegh ghajbe'bogh jaj.
"A day without secrets is like a night without stars."

not mev peghmey.
"Secrets never cease."

We live in a day and age hemmed in and defined by secrecy or attempts to eliminate it. From exciting stories which claim to reveal dark long-held secrets, to authorities who feel compelled to track every citizen's action in the hope of stopping some unknown plot. Even a simple purchase, whether in a store or on a website, involves high-powered cryptography to protect your credit card.

I admit to a certain fascination with codes and ciphers - besides reading books about them, hardly a day goes by when I don't solve at least one code in the form of a "daily cryptogram." It's an enjoyable brain teaser that I hope gives me some mental exercise.

Those words of Jesus are the only reference to "encryption" in the Bible and come from a moment when he was on trial. Part of his defense came from the transparency of his life and ministry. What he came to do and say was open for all. The Greek says simple that nothing Jesus said was "en cryptos" - in secret.

There is a rich vocabulary in the Bible regarding "secrets." The King James version translates as "secret" nearly two dozen words - 15 in Hebrew and Aramaic and 7 in Greek. While that tally includes different forms of a word (5 of the Greek are variations of kryptos) it is a far more extensive vocabulary than Klingon, for which we only know one word "pegh," which is both a noun "secret" and verb "to keep secret."

Now, using codes or ciphers are ways to encrypt, to keep secrets - and that has value. The Bible doesn't condemn the secret kept.

The book of Proverbs notes, One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, But one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret. (Proverbs 11:13)

And Jesus commands a reconciliation and forgiveness that requires confidentiality: "If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother.(Matthew 18:15)

There is no question that there are things we don't know. The Bible even suggests this challenges us to probe to discover them:

'oH ghaH the batlh vo' joH'a' Daq conceal a Doch, 'ach the batlh vo' joHpu' ghaH Daq search pa' a matter.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2

I agree with those who say that what we call science really follows from this Biblical understanding: the secrets of the universe are the reasonable product of a reasonable creator - we can seek them out, and with patience decode them, if you will.

And God's intention is described in the book of Daniel

ghaH reveals the deep je pegh Dochmey; ghaH SovtaH nuq ghaH Daq the HurghtaHghach, je the wov yIntaH tlhej ghaH.

he reveals the deep and secret things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. Daniel 2:22

Sadly, secrecy comes most naturally when we've done wrong. From the garden to today, when we fear the discovery of our wrongdoing we will go to extreme lengths to cover them - law enforcement officials can testify that some of the most powerful encryption is found concealing horrible crimes. How well Jesus put it when he speaks of those "who loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil." (John 3:19 NLT)

jIH ja'ta' pagh Daq pegh.

I said nothing in secret. John 18:20b

Jesus's words direct us away from the darkness - from hiding - they reflect a God who brings light to the world, who reveals his love and care to all.

It is NOT a secret - "For God so loved the world..." is no secret code or cipher, but a bedrock declaration that none of us should ignore. Give thanks today for the love God reveals each day and the abundant life he offers to each of us!

Membership!

toDtaHghach belongs Daq joH'a'. lIj blessing taH Daq lIj ghotpu.

Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing be on your people. (psalm 3.8)

(click for podcast)

Someone once said "it doesn't matter so much WHO you are, as WHOSE you are." In this, the last verse of Psalm 3, we see the phrase - On your people / Daq lIj ghotpu'. Three simple words in the English or Klingon Language Version - only two "al amchah" in Hebrew, but in that idea - "belonging to God's people," that is knowing YOU ARE HIS, is endless riches (It is even a more terse phrase in proper Klingon: ghotpu'lI'Daq. ghotpu'/ people plus the second person possessive/lI' and the suffix, Daq, for location.)

Where do you belong? Once I remarked to a friend, while we were attending a conference, "I don't feel like I belong here."

My friend cheerfully remarked, "oh, I never feel at home anywhere."

Words that might signal a dour sort of person. But my friend wasn't like that at all.

I think his remarks echoed the words of 1 Peter:

parmaqqay, jIH beg SoH as foreigners je pilgrims, Daq abstain vo' fleshly lusts, nuq veS Daq the qa';

Rendered in the translation "The Message" as:

Friends, this world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it.

The Biblical affirmation of citizenship that is rooted in eternity, not some temporary home or nation.

Recently, at my house, we've decided to "drop our landline." That is, end the wired phone service we've had for over 25 years. For a variety of reasons it's a practical decision, though one I've wrestled with. This is the number my kids grew up with, a number I've had for half my life.

But. It isn't any more permanent than my house - or my body. This world is NOT my home. I've got better - and more lasting membership in eternity.

toDtaHghach belongs Daq joH'a'. lIj blessing taH Daq lIj ghotpu.

Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing be on your people. (psalm 3.8)

This is the membership, the citizenship that matters - our being God's people; Again, from "The Message" I like the rendering of the passage we're considering today, Psalm 3's final verse:

Real help comes from GOD.
Your blessing clothes your people!

Salvation, REAL help, comes not from OUR effort, but God's. Notice too that David doesn't deal merely with FACTS: "God saves", but RELATIONSHIPS: YOUR blessing on YOUR people.

In Hebrews 11, that monumental chapter on faith, we hear Abraham's wandering described

vaD Abraham nejta' vaD the veng nuq ghajtaH the foundations, 'Iv builder je maker ghaH joH'a'.

For Abraham looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Someday we may wander far, just as Abraham did. We'll follow our faithful robot emissaries to the stars. New homes will orbit new worlds. Perhaps we'll even meet the real Klingons or Vulcans or whatever race God has created in depths out there.

What will matter then (as it does now) is not which club or congregation we join. Nor does our address or phone number or radio frequency change who we are. What will matter is WHOSE we are.

What will matter is that we can say

joH'a' ghotpu'lI' maH!
God, we are YOUR people!

Pulling Punches!

Hu', joH'a'! toD jIH, wIj joH'a'! vaD SoH ghaj struck Hoch vo' wIj jaghpu' Daq the qevpob Hom. SoH ghaj ghorta' the Ho'Du' vo' the mIgh.

Arise, LORD! Save me, my God! For you have struck all of my enemies on the cheek bone. You have broken the teeth of the wicked. Psalm 3:7

(click for podcast version)

From matters of personal injustice to international - from broken friendships to war, there ARE things that make us cry out "Hu', joH'a'!" "Arise LORD!"

One writer notes that David's confidence is so great that he knew ALL that is needed is FOR God to arise and David would be SAVED. So certain is he that the description of the justice that follows (all in the past tense) is assumed to be complete ALREADY.

David faced terror, as we may in our lives, and found that it did good, just as trouble may in our lives. For it drove him, as it drives us, to ask, to plead, to pray to God for justice.

And what justice?

As alarming as we may find these words they are common to Scriptures. Consider other Psalms: "break their teeth," "show no mercy to the traitors," and more.

It helps to read this verse AS a Klingon. Our modern human reaction to this passage is bound to have some squirm in it - especially when we hear a call to hit our enemies in the face and to smash out their teeth. This may trouble a human - but a call to swift decisive action, to pull no punches - THAT has Klingon written all over it:

" taH angry, je yImev yem." yImev chaw' the pemHov jaH bIng Daq lIj QeHpu',

"Be angry, and don't sin." Don't let the sun go down on your wrath, [Eph 4:26]

says the Bible, and this verse illustrates this attitude. Call evil what it is; don't accept it, be ANGRY with it - and let God deal with it. David plans no revenge - he turns it over to God.

Don't let it be personal, to eat you up inside. "Love the sinner and hate the sin," goes the old saying, and it is a good one. This doesn't come easy for a Klingon, OR a human, but it keeps us from tieing personal judgement, personal prejudice to our response to evil.

This psalm gives vent to anger over sin - but leaves it to God, not mere people to set right - Reflect on what Jesus said

" ghaH 'Iv ghaH Hutlh yem among SoH, chaw' ghaH throw the wa'Dich nagh Daq Daj."

,"He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her." (John 8:7)

From matters of personal injustice to international - from broken friendships to war, there are things that make us cry out "Hu', joH'a'!" "Arise LORD!"

And getting God to rise is ENOUGH.

One Word to Bind Them All (podcast re-run)

(Hello! This has been a busy week and I'm running behind on this week's podcast. So I thought I'd share it this one - one of my favorites - till I can get this week's ready.)

naD joH'a'
Praise the LORD Psalm 117:1a

click for podcast

Would you like to be a linguist, with a vocabulary that extends from Albanian to Xhosa? With one word I can assist you towards this goal.

The word I'm thinking of is at the heart of this Psalm, the shortest chapter of the Bible.

Hallelujah

That short phrase, almost a contraction, ends this psalm, and is expressed in a longer version, hallelu et adonai - praise you the LORD - at the beginning. By bracketing this short chapter, this command directs believers to be about the serious, and delightful, work of praise.

From Hebrew to Greek to Latin, Hallelujah over the centuries was transliterated from language to language and has become an exclamation of praise, so universal that it has moved into the lexicons of many languages. Look for yourself at the Crosswire Bible Society's website, www.crosswire.org/study. There you can compare Bibles in quite a few languages and see this Psalm containing "Hallelujah" or "Allelulia" : Afrikaans, Bulgarian, Croatian, Dutch, Esperanto, and Finnish to name a few, each transliterating this word for their tongue.

But. Not Klingon. If we were to present a Klingon version of Hallelujah, it might be 'alayluya. However, since the World English Bible, the source used for my Klingon Language Version, translates the Hebrew terms, the KLV does likewise, naD joH'a'. If we were to translate it more grammatically we'd say it as a command, joH'a' penaD, the-LORD you-all-praise.

Hallelujah

I love this word, and especially like thinking about the path it has taken through the long years. It is now almost a password, if you will, for believers on every continent and with many different languages. A foreign word in almost every language, it is testifies to a faith language of the heart that is (or should be) a native language for everyone who follows the God of the Bible.

To me, the really important thing is that little syllable -lu-; it indicates the plural. YOU-ALL give praise, not "you" singular. (This is something we've lost in modern English; an ability to easily distinguish singular and plural. You can see it preserved in the King James and Douay translations, where the "you" and "ye" forms indicate plural, and "thou," "thee," and "thine" refer to the second person singular.)

That "lu," Halle-LU-jah, takes the command to praise and extends it not to you or me, but to all of us, together. God calls forth, across the ages, across the world (even to the stars?) and draws us together as we praise him.

Think of this word and all its forms as being links that bind us together when we - all of us - rejoice in any language: Afrikaans, Albanian, Bulgarian, Croatian, Dutch, Esperanto, Finnish, Greek, Hebrew, Klingon, Latin and Xhosa we'll together call out

Hallelujah, allelulia, Praise ye the LORD.

Thousands!

jIH DichDaq ghobe' taH vIp vo' wa'maHmey vo' SaDmey vo' ghotpu 'Iv ghaj cher themselves Daq jIH Daq Hoch retlh.

I will not be afraid of tens of thousands of people who have set themselves against me on every side. Psalm 3:6

(click for podcast version)

not 'ebwIj ja' - never tell me the odds!

So said a certain Corellian pilot long ago, in a galaxy far, far away. And that sentiment might well express a certain Klingon bravado, as well as David's confidence in this Psalm.

Granted, usually the Klingon attitude is one of cunning and SELF-reliance, as expressed in the familiar proverb:

qaStaHvIS wa' ram loS
SaD Hugh SIjlaH
qetbogh loD

Four thousand throats
may be cut in one night
by a running man.

SaD - thousand - is the Klingon word to consider in this verse. It's a huge number, at least when considering pitting one's efforts against a thousand - or wa'maHmey vo' SaDmey - TENS of thousands. While it isn't clear that it is a literal number - the Hebrew word rbabah (reb-aw-baw') may be translated as many, million, or, ten thousand - it IS clear that what faced David was an enemy that, practically speaking, was impossible to overcome.

Klingon too, did not originally have a word for "thousand." In fact early Klingons only had a three-based numbering system. Counting was 1, 2, 3, 3+1, 3+2 and so on. The decimal system we're familiar was only adopted to conform with more widespread galactic practices. So for a Klingon as well - "tens of thousands" of an enemy force may just be a way of describing insurmountable odds.

As I've noted before a Klingon proverb exists to describe their response to "insurmountable odds" : reH 'eb tu'lu' - there is always a chance. In other words, never give up.

But what is the source of that confidence? It's one thing to be self-assured, but another to be unrealistic. Spurgeon notes about this Psalm:

Observe that [David] does not attempt to under estimate the number or wisdom of his enemies. He reckons them at tens of thousands, and he views them as cunning huntsmen chasing him with cruel skill.

It's key for believers to rely on fellowship with one another. David could look back at his life, from facing Goliath and on, to see how God had delivered him. Through scripture, and the lives of other believers, we can connect to the history we all share, of a God who makes - AND KEEPS - promises.

The eleventh chapter of Hebrews is a vital resource in understanding this. There we read of men and women of faith and how they triumphed.

who, through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, grew mighty in war, and caused foreign armies to flee. (33-34)

Though the author doesn't sugar-coat things:

Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Others were tried by mocking and scourging .... (35-36)

The Bible shows us that David, and countless faithful have perservered through faith - in the face of impossible odds - as an example and model for us. Hebrews chapter 12 makes that clear for us:

Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us... [Heb 12:1]

As Han told C3PO:

not 'ebwIj ja' - never tell me the odds!

He's right - the odds DON'T matter. For no matter what happens, no matter how many thousands we face, God will be there when we trust in him.

DaH yIQong!

jIH laid jIH'egh bIng je Qongta'. jIH awakened; vaD joH'a' sustains jIH.

I laid myself down and slept. I awakened; for the LORD sustains me. Psalm 3:5

(click for podcast version)

What does it take to be able to get to sleep? Exercise, a clean conscience, medications? Depending on the reason that sleep eludes you, any one of those might be useful. Whatever the problem may be, sleep IS a valuable part of our lives. It isn't a waste of time - far from it. As a recent news report notes:

Doctors are beginning to stress that we need our sleep. New studies point to a number of health problems that can be caused by a lack of Zs. They indicate lack of sleep can not only effect moods, memory and weight, it can also put stress on your heart, because the body doesn't get enough oxygen. [http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=4707538]

It shouldn't be a surprise that God wants us to rest - commands it in fact as part of a code as universal as the Ten Commandments. As Psalm 127 says:

It is vain for you to rise up early, to stay up late, eating the bread of toil; for he gives sleep to his loved ones.

yashen yaw-shane' is the Hebrew word David uses here, and appears in this form fewer than 20 times in the Bible - though there are related terms, notably shehnah which appears a couple of dozen times. Translated here in Klingon as Qong - you might hear it when an exasparated Klingon parent might shout "DaH yIQong" (sleep now!) to encourage their child to get needed rest. You hear it in the Klingon word for "bed": QonqDaq, literally sleep-place.

The Life Application Bible notes:

Sleep does not come easily during a crisis. David could have had sleepless nights when his son Absalom rebelled and gathered an army to kill him. But he slept peacefully, even during the rebellion. What made the difference? David cried out to the Lord, and the Lord heard him. The assurance of answered prayer brings peace. It is easier to sleep well when we have full assurance that God is in control of circumstances. If you are lying awake at night worrying about circumstances you can’t change, pour out your heart to God, and thank him that he is in control. ...

This was the heart of David's rest, and it can be the key for us, too. Not that our prayer to God will magically all our problems, but if we turn them over to God, we can find peace from the only one who can see us hrough. This can be our key to rest - not just rest for a night, but the rest that comes from being at peace with God, a peace that will at last bring us to him in a rest and peace that is eternal.

Signals Intelligence

jIH SaQ Daq joH'a' tlhej wIj ghogh, je ghaH answers jIH pa' vo' Daj le' HuD.

I cry to the LORD with my voice, and he answers me out of his holy hill. Psalm 3:4

(click for podcast version)

On the planet where I live, a recent news item concerns a scientific study of prayer - perhaps this news has reached your world as well. It's of interest to me because I would always a encourage study (AND USE) of prayer - I've even writen some programs to assist dedicated prayer warriors (prayer.mrklingon.org, justpray.mrklingon.org).

Now some find the current report distressing as it suggests that prayer - at least in the precise definitions of the study - did not assist healing (or even seemed to slow it!). Yet, this shouldn't be too surprising - it was a very narrowly focussed study, and only proved something most believer should know: Prayer isn't magic - As Easton's Bible Dictionary describes it:

Prayer is [conversation] with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant... or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1Sa 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven" (2Ch 32:20); "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Ps 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Eph 3:14).

Those who pray are part of a personal conversation that assumes an ongoing relationship - and it ought not be surprising this is hard to measure.

In this verse we hear prayer expressed in the word "cry." This is SaQ in Klingon - an uncommon word, which we don't see often. (It may mean "to weep" - the dictionary isn't clear.) The Hebrew word qara' (kaw-raw') is very common - nearly 700 times in the bible. It is a primitive root meaning simply "to call out." This may be closer to the Klingon word jach which means "scream, cry out, shout, yell"

The idea is clear - a call, communication, is made for help. And equally clear, "he answers me out of his holy hill" - God will respond. In this case it is clear that the response is help - but despite the strong Biblical promise of answered prayer - we should know that this is no magic wand. As Paul reminds when he speaks of seeking - and not receiving healing:

[God] has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. (2Cor 12:9)

But why can't a scientist measure the effectiveness of prayer? A Klingon might put this in military terms (of course - what WOULDN'T they put in military terms?). It's a matter of "SIGINT" signals intelligence - intelligence information gathered from communications intelligence or electronics intelligence or telemetry intelligence.

Traditionally SIGINT is gathered, and if possible deciphered to gain information about one's enemies plans. BUT, when one is not able to understand the messages "Traffic Analysis" is used: In a military context, traffic analysis is usually performed by a signals intelligence agency, and can be a source of information about the intentions and actions of the enemy (Wikipedia) by observing the patterns of communication, even without being able to discern the meaning.

We can't see the prayers and the responses over the years of the faithful - but no one can deny that believers in every age have relied on prayer to, as Paul put it:

by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

And the reason to do this is NOT to get exactly what we ask for, but reading the full verse we see that prayer establishes a relationship of trust:

IN NOTHING BE ANXIOUS, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)


In terms of traffic analysis we can see, over the eons that believers have indeed found prayer a means of pouring out their hearts to God - and that over the centuries prayer has been foundational to a life of faith.

jIH SaQ Daq joH'a' tlhej wIj ghogh, je ghaH answers jIH pa' vo' Daj le' HuD.

I cry to the LORD with my voice, and he answers me out of his holy hill. Psalm 3:4

Cry out to Him today. He will answer.

Shield's Up!

(click for podcast)

'ach SoH, joH'a', 'oH a yoD around jIH, wIj batlh, je the wa' 'Iv lifts Dung wIj nach.


But you, O LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the one who lifts up my head. Psalm 3:3

At last David names in this verse the source of his hope - God is his shield!

What do you think of when you hear the word "shield?" Do you see a knight or Viking holding up a shield to deflect sword and spear? Or maybe you think of Klingons on a starship with shimmering energy fields to protect them.

In either case you would be considering the job of such tools - defensive devices to keep the enemy at a distance.

Natural as that is - the Biblical idea goes far beyond a mere barrier.

The Klingon word here is yoD. Like our English "shield" it is both a noun and a verb so you can say QayoD - I shield you, or yoD vIghaj - I have a shield.

The Hebrew word is magen (maw-gane') and appears 60 times in the Bible. It is what is called a mem formation noun, formed from adding the letter "mem" to the verb ganan (gaw-nan') (to hedge or protect). You may have heard this term in "Magen David," the Hebrew name for what is called "the Star of David" For years this has been the symbol of Israel's national emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank service, a Red Star of David, or in Hebrew ha-Magen David Adom.

This is, in fact, this verse's subject: David's shield. Not a means of mere physical protection, but the source of a real, life-giving relationship - God himself, the one who saves him.

And that living shield is not a tool, but a person who cares for us! Other Psalms elaborate on this shield:

Our soul has waited for the LORD. He is our help and our shield. (Psalm 33:20)

For the LORD God is a sun and a shield. The LORD will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly. (Psalm 84:11)

What constitutes "the shield" in your life? Is it money, your job or possessions? Do you count on strong locks or weapons to keep you safe? As king of Israel, David certainly had arms enough and wealth enough - yet, as this Psalm dramatizes, even he fled for his life in time of trouble. At that desperate time he remembered again - as we need to remember - that our real hope, our best shield is in the LORD.

The book of Proverbs reminds us:

"Every word of God is flawless. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him."

nuq yoDlIj? What is your shield? Better would be to say 'Iv yoDlI', who is your shield - for when it is the LORD, you will be shielded indeed!

QaH! I need somebody!

law' pa' 'oH 'Iv jatlh vo' wIj qa', " pa' ghaH ghobe' QaH vaD ghaH Daq
joH'a'."

Many there are who say of my soul, "There is no help for him in God."
Psalm 3:2

(click for podcast version)

David's words here come from a desperate time - a time when he was in need of help. And his observation is that those watching him would conclude "QaH vaD ghaH Daq joH'a'" "There is no help for him in God.".

Help, or QaH in Klingon, is our word to consider here.

Maybe you are surprised that Klingons, though rugged and independant, DO have a word for help. You can hear it in the expression:

nom QaH yIqem - "Get help quickly!"

Though "Conversational Klingon" advises " what Terrans consider dangerous and unpleasant a Klingon usually finds exhilarating and enjoyable. So, if no ­one comes to your aid at first, shout out the phrase:

tlhIngan jIHbe' - "I am not a Klingon."

"QaH vaD ghaH Daq joH'a'" "There is no help for him in God.".

The Hebrew word here is a familiar one (in different forms it occurs over 250 timse in the Bible), yeshuw`ah (yesh-oo'-aw) - it means something saved, or deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity, health, help, salvation, and save, among other things. We can recognize it in the name Joshua or Jesus - "The LORD saves"

David's situation is dire - and when he echoes the verdict about his plight, he means more than "assistance is not coming" - everyone says he is utterly lost. And it seems clear that this is the majority opinion.

In these first two verses of Psalm 3, David says twice how "MANY" "rise up against" and "many say of" his soul that there is no hope. The Klingon word for this, law' calls to mind a construction Klingons use to express comparisons with two statements "x is law' / y is puS" to show how x is greater or superiour to y. For example,

'IwwIj jeD law' 'IwlIj jeD puS.

Means literally "My blood is thicker than yours," but expresses 'I am much stronger than you.' In this passage, one might feel that David would think

jaghpu' law' QaHwIj puS

(my enemies are greater than my help). Certainly this is an experience that many can understand - the trials and difficulties of life can seem overwhelming. But, as one writer observes, "note that trouble drives David to God in prayer, not from Him in disbelief. ("New Bible Commentary")

I think David would rather say

joH'a' QaH law' Hoch jaghpu'wI' puS - God's help is greater than my enemies!

In the scriptures we gain a context, a vision of the fabric of God's care and his plans - a vision that lifts us above the immediate situation. David, and we, may have uncountable enemies or troubles, but God is so much greater than them all! It's David's gift to us in the this psalm to remind us, where do you find help? nuqDaq QaH? It is with the LORD - let us never forget that!

No Enemy is Boring

joH'a', chay' wIj jaghpu' ghaj increased! law' 'oH chaH 'Iv Hu' Dung Daq jIH.

O LORD, how my adversaries have increased! Many are those who rise up against me. Psalm3.1

(click for podcast)

The Klingons have an enigmatic saying: Dal pagh jagh - No enemy is boring.
It isn't clear (I think deliberately) whether they mean the lack of an enemy is dull, or that all enemies are of interest. I'd bet that most Klingons would heartily agree with both sentiments.

David might also agree - certainly this Psalm reflects a time when David was far from bored - when he was pursued by many enemies - led by his own son!

The Bible *is* an incredible book. I know that for some that means "not credible" - they doubt the truth of what scriptures present. Yet in this psalm we find evidence of how breathtakingly honest a book it is.

Consider what we learn from the Bible. Unlike most of us, it doesn't flinch from telling the whole story. We know that David murdered a man to steal his wife (after committing adultery WITH her), that Abraham practically gave his own wife away due to his cowardice, that Peter denied he even knew Jesus, and that the disciples cut and ran when Jesus was taken off to be crucified! This is not a book that covers up the truth.

The enemies David fears in this psalm don't come from afar - these words reflect the time that David's son Absalom was in rebellion and that David was on the run - he was surrounded by enemies - thousands if we take the words here literally. David was in desparate straits!

At the end of his rope, David turns from the many enemies (those who trouble him - the word here is related to the word for eneimes in Psalm 23's "in the presence of my enemies") to the ONE who can turn things around for him - the LORD.

How often do you find yourself immersed in trouble? Whether or not it is so dramatic, you may know what it is to be feeling, like David, as if you are surrounded at all sides by people and things that - once close who have now turned against you. It certainly isn't foolish to be worried.

But David knew - and if we listen to him, we do too - that he can call for help from the LORD. Not because we deserve it - but because God has made promise after promise to those who will turn to him.

As we read in Isaiah -

Behold, all those who are incensed against you will be disappointed
and confounded. Those who strive with you will be like nothing, and
shall perish. You will seek them, and won't find them, even those who
contend with you. Those who war against you will be as nothing, as a
non-existent thing. For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right
hand, saying to you, 'Don't be afraid. I will help you.' Isaiah 41:11-13

I agree with the Klingons Dal pagh jagh - No enemy is boring, but better is knowing that nep pagh joH'a' laytaHghach - no promise of God is false.

The Path of Life

SoH DichDaq cha' jIH the path vo' yIn. Daq lIj Daq ghaH fullness vo' Quch. Daq lIj nIH ghop pa' 'oH pleasures forevermore.

You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

(click for podcast version)

Because most humans don't have starships, we find other ways to explore distant solar systems. Astronomers have come up with many creative ways to study and evaluate impossibly remote locations - we've used their techniques, for example, to discover planets - before we can even see them! And today we use their methods to hunt for what Klingons would call yInroH - life signs. Signs the psalmist sees as well.

David delares that the Lord shows him the path of "yIn" - life. In Hebrew, the word is chayim, a familiar word from the toast "L'Chaiim" and the jewelry that uses the shorter form "chai" made up of the two letters het and yod. This word for "life" occurs over 450 times in the Bible.

The New Bible Dictionary says that, in scripture

"life ... is associated with light, gladness, fullness, order and active being... and contrasted with the darkness, sorrow, emptiness, chaos, and silence which are charecteristic of death..."

Indeed, David, by speaking of a path of life, suggests that there are some other path, perhaps like the book of Proverbs describes: "There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12)

The astronomers who hunt for yInroH, life signs, in the universe talk of something I think of that is like the path of life: "the habitable zone." You see, depending on how powerful a star is, you can easily identify the orbital region that is "just right" for life as we know it. Too close or too far from the sun and life has no chance. If a planet's orbit is like Goldilock's porridge - neither too hot or too cold - then that world is in the "path of life" for that star.

We're not planets. The path we find for ourselves is not an orbit. It's the result of choices made - by us, by family, by friends.

And David tells us - the path we choose can be one that the LORD shows us - a path that leads to life - not just in the here and now, but a path into life, forever.

As it says in Proverbs:

But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, that shines more and more until the perfect day. (4:18)

Looking for yInroH - signs of life? There's someone ready, right now - to show you where to find it! Ask him today!

"To Shine Like Stars Forever"

vaD SoH DichDaq ghobe' mej wIj qa' Daq Sheol, ghobe' DichDaq SoH allow lIj le' wa' Daq legh corruption.


For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption. Psalm 16:10

(click for podcast version)

We don't know much about Klingon Eschatology - that is, what Klingon's think about "the last things," particularly death and things beyond.

What little we know is that there definitely IS an expectation of personal survivival. Some speak of QI'tu', Paradise - sometimes Sto-Vo-Kor, as "the afterlife for the honored dead, where all true warriors go after they die to fight an eternal battle. The closest Klingon equivalent to heaven."

There is also a place of eternal punishmen "Gre'thor," spoken of in the expression describing the impossible: ghe'torvo' narghDI' qa'pu' (when spirits escape from Gre'thor).

Whether these reflect the beliefs of Klingons - it does give us the clear impression that Klingons understand the expectation that the "qa'" the spirit is something that will indeed survive beyond this life.

This verse of Psalm 16 draws us into considering this as well - what can we expect beyond this life?

Well, David has an answer - even though death may be a mystery. The word "Sheol" sometimes translated as death, or the grave, or even "hell" is derived from a word for "to ask," or "enquire." That is - we ask, we wonder what will happen next? David doesn't tell us he knows, but he goes forward here, with the confidence he's expressed already, and says

vaD SoH DichDaq ghobe' mej wIj qa' Daq Sheol, ghobe' DichDaq SoH allow lIj le' wa' Daq legh corruption.


For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption. Psalm 16:10

David trusts. He says he knows death will not be the "end of the line." He trusts that God won't let him simply rot. I should note that "your holy one" isn't a self-serving "I'm so holy" - the word used comes from Hesed - faithful. He's declaring his trust, his intent to be godly.

Now in the book of Acts, it was known that David did, in fact, die. Was buried. And stayed there. Peter sees "the ultimate 'holy' one" who didn't stay dead was... Jesus, who as "a son of David" fulfilled David's trust.

But that isn't the same as saying David's confidence was only a prediction about Jesus. While believers understand that Jesus does fulfill this promise, the scriptures also make clear we can, with David, be confident that

...God [will] not leave [them] in the grave. Many people fear death because they can neither control nor understand it. As believers, we can be assured that God will not forget us when we die. He will bring us to life again to live with him forever. This provides real security. (Life Application Bible)

Throughout the Bible, this promise is made clear - we can look forward to a hope, not just for now, but forever. As it says in the book of the prophet Daniel:

Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who turn many to righteousness will shine like stars forever. Daniel 12: 2,3

What a hope! What a tomorrow! When we put our hope, our faith in Him, our lives, our eternity will shine!

Across the Sea of Stars

vaj wIj tIq ghaH Quchqu', je wIj jat rejoices. wIj porgh DIchDaq je
yIn Daq safety.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body shall
also dwell in safety. Psalm 16:9

(click for podcast)

Here's news of interest, especially if you've been working on building a starship. In recent weeks, at the American Association for the Advancement of science, researchers published a short list of ten "habstars," stars "where intelligent civilizations might lurk or they can try to actually spot planets like our own in habitable zones..."

The stars - as close as 4.5 light years away are targets for scientists who are developing ways to study extrasolar planets - it's an exciting prospect and an incredible challenge.

Now when we consider what it might mean to communicate with people around such stars - or travel to them - the challenge may seem impossible. That's because there's no known way to travel at the speed of light - let alone faster. So messages or vessels would take decades - probably centuries to travel back and forth. How could we hope to have a meaningful relationship with such worlds?

How? I've got a Klingon word to answer that: qay'be'! No problem! We've been doing it.. well, for centuries.

One of the delights of Bible study - besides the core delight, of enjoying the Word of God - is the way such study brings us into communication with people centuries apart from our time. And even though the communication might seem one way, we still enter into a conversation with believers more than a thousand years ago.

In this verse from Psalm 16 we find these words:

vaj wIj tIq ghaH Quchqu', je wIj jat rejoices. wIj porgh DIchDaq je
yIn Daq safety.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body shall
also dwell in safety. Psalm 16:9

Now - if you check the King James, or the Jewish Publication translation, you'll see that for "my tongue rejoices" they have "my glory rejoiceth." That isn't surprising - the Hebrew word chabod, glory, is what we find in the Hebrew, not "loshen," tongue. However.... here's where we start having a conversation with believers across the ages.

How was this understood - how does "glory" rejoice? It's an odd sounding idea, and when we look back we discover that in the ancient Greek translation, the Septuagint DIDN'T say glory - it said "tongue." Not only that, in the book of Acts, the apostle Peter, quotes this Psalm and he said, probably quoting from the Septuagint, "my tongue was glad." The Vulgate, the Latin translation, follows this as well.

So when we consider this verse, we have an opportunity to "discuss" across the sea of time - just as we might across the sea of stars with our interstellar neighbors. We can't engage in an immediate conversation, but we can listen to them and weigh their understanding of the passage as we translate it, not only into words, but into our lives.

Modern translations like the New International Version, the New Living Translation and the World English Bible have followed the Septuagint and others in using the word "tongue," some noting the difference in notes.

The progression: "my heart is glad/ my tongue rejoices" echoes for me, the words of Psalm 107 "Let the redeemed of the LORD say so" - that is, when we experience God's saving love - don't keep it secret! TELL someone - much like the Sunday School Song "If you're happy and you know it/ then your face will really show it!" Perhaps this is where the "glory" or "tongue" become synonyms - whether in speech or the joy we express, we rejoice in what God has done!

The Bible is an ancient book - written across centuries. and by people long gone. Yet as we read these words, and enter into a dialog across the ages, God gives us insight, gives us promise and gives us hope.

On the Move?

jIH DIchDaq ghobe' taH vIHta'.

I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:8

(click for podcast)

Imagine for a moment that you are travelling in a rocket that goes 30 kilometers per second. This is on the order of 67,000 miles an hour! At that speed, you could reach the moon in 4 hours - not the three days it usually takes.

This isn't really hypothetical - you ARE moving that fast - at least if you are on the planet Earth. Given the Earth's annual path around the sun, over 900 million kilometers, our planet ("spaceship Earth," if you will) and everyone on it is moving that fast. You might think you won't be moved - but you're wrong - you've gone hundreds of kilometers (or miles) while listening to me.

Now when David expresses his confidence in God in Psalm 16, he says

jIH DIchDaq ghobe' taH vIHta'.

I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:8

For "moved" he uses the Hebrew word mowt (mote), a word used nearly 40 times in the Bible. It's a primitive root, meaning 'to waver' by implication to slip, shake, fall, be carried, cast, be out of course. For the Klingon I used the word vIH (to move) plus -ta' (is-accomplished) to express "moved"

This word, mowt, shows up over half of those times in the book of Psalms, and it expresses a number of thoughts. Unfortunately, it's even been misunderstood by some to suggest the Earth was the unmoving center of the universe, when Psalm 93 says: The world also is established. It can't be moved. (93:1)

But David knows he'll move - even if he didn't know about the Earth's orbit. Rather, he's expressing trust that his path, his course through life won't be derailed. He can trust God to keep him on track. Better than that, he knows God will set him right if he DOES move off course, as we read in Psalm 94:

When I said, "My foot is slipping!" Your loving kindness, O LORD, held me up. (Psalm 94:18)

[And yes the word translated "slipping" there is mowt.]

We're not immobile, we do move through life. The early believers who followed Jesus spoke of being part of "the Way." They didn't feel like they'd arrived, they were following Jesus as he led them through life.

jIH DIchDaq ghobe' taH vIHta'.

I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:8

Putting our trust in God, we can move forward, with a confidence that God WILL keep from being moved off track, providing the mid-course corrections we need, when we need them. Hallelujah!

Down in my.... Kidney?

jIH DichDaq ghurmoH joH'a', 'Iv ghajtaH nobpu' jIH qeS. HIja', wIj tIq instructs jIH Daq the ram seasons.

I will bless the LORD, who has given me counsel. Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons. Psalm 16:7

(click for podcast)

The problem with translating for aliens is - well, they are just so ALIEN. Imagine people who see the seat of affections and desires as the ... KIDNEY. This isn't an imaginary problem - there is such a people. Those aliens are not some far off race of little green men, but the ancient Hebrews.

The word translated tIq or heart in this verse is really kilyah (kil-yaw') and means a kidney and appears nearly 30 times in the Hebrew scriptures. It is naturally referenced in the legislation for animal sacrifice, but it also appears in a number of places, including this Psalm, as a way of describing "the most secret workings and affections of the heart." (Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible).

In modern English we see this almost exclusively translated as "heart." That is no less medically inaccurate than kidney, but today it is the common way we express the seat of our emotional life (if you don't believe me, take a stroll in any greeting card section right now as we approach Valentine's Day). Honestly, I'm glad that is the prevailing image - I just can't see leading a Sunday School class with "I've got the joy, joy, joy down in my *kidney*.

You'll be happy to know this is also the case for Klingons - that is, that they use the term "heart" to describe the home of their feelings. They express this in expressions like:

tIqlIj Da'angnIS. "You must show your heart."

and

tIqDaq HoSna' tu'lu'. "Real power is in the heart."

Curious idioms about "the body" are often a problem for language learners as well as tranlators. You can even find a book by May Pare, a Southern California waitress who earned a master's degree from UCLA specializing in English as a second language. The book, Body Idioms and More, deals exclusively with body-part idioms.

One news report mentions that

after all those years of slinging hash and refilling coffee mugs, May Pare found herself "up to her eyeballs" with a collection of sayings that would "blow the mind" of someone trying to learn English.

They were the likes of "pay through the nose," "using elbow grease," "having a hollow leg" and "being lower than a snake's belly." There was "heads will roll," "press the flesh" and "keeping your eyes peeled."

Imagine translating THOSE into Klingon!

jIH DichDaq ghurmoH joH'a', 'Iv ghajtaH nobpu' jIH qeS. HIja', wIj tIq instructs jIH Daq the ram seasons.

I will bless the LORD, who has given me counsel. Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons. Psalm 16:7

The Life Application Bible notes:

It is human nature to make our own plans and then ask God to bless them. Instead, we should seek God's will first. By constantly thinking about the Lord and his way of living, we will gain insights that will help us make right decisions and live the way God desires. Communicating with God allows him to counsel us and give us wisdom.

Like David, we need to take God's Word deep inside - down in our heart, our kidneys, liver and more. For when we let His thoughts guide every fiber of our being, then like David we can joyfully say

jIH DichDaq ghurmoH joH'a' , 'Iv ghajtaH nobpu' jIH qeS

I will bless the LORD, who has given me counsel!

In Pleasant Places

The tlheghmey ghaj fallen Daq jIH Daq bel Daqmey. HIja', jIH ghaj a QaQ inheritance.

The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a good inheritance. Psalm 16:6

(Click for Podcast Version)

In the movie "When Harry Met Sally," Billy Crystal's character Harry always reads the last page of a book FIRST because he wants to know how it turns out "in case he dies" before finishing it.

I can understand this wanting to know "how things will turn out" in life or in a book - maybe you do too. Facing our uncertain future it IS easy to worry about outcomes.

That's why Davids faith is attractive - he KNOWS how his story will turn out. He's sure that the "lines have fallen to him in pleasant places." That means, when the boundaries are drawn at last, what is his inheritance will be good - will be bel Daqmey - pleasant places.

PLACE - Daq - is our Klingon word from the word for today. Thinking about "our place" and where we'll end up is an important theme in Scripture - some might say it is THE THEME of the Bible. You may have noticed this word, Daq showing up often in my podcasts. That is the effect of the translate table method I've used for the KLV.

Because Klingon doesn't have prepositions - particularly like "in" or "at" I made the locational suffix "Daq" stand in for them - for quite a lot of words, really: against, at, in, into, on, place, presence, and to. AND the word, Daq, really is the standalone noun for "place". You hear this word at work in a number of Klingon compound words. Bed == QonqDaq (Qong = sleep), Table == SopDaq (Sop = eat), and "where?" == nuqDaq (nuq == what?). If you tell your child to go to to bed, you might add the -Daq suffix and say QongDaqDaq yIQong (in-bed you-sleep!).

As I've noted - the KLV with its word-replacement method for Klingon-izing the WEB is a rough translation at best, so it isn't surprising to find a preponderance of "Daq"s in a passage. And - here's another note - the word "place" isn't really in this passage at all, it is used here as a helper word to complete the thought that the boundary lines will land in - the Hebrew word is naim, pleasant... something - just about every English translation completes the thought with the word pleasant "place" or "land."

Every translation, from the admittedly rough KLV to the majestic KJV and Douay or modern paraphrases like the NLT or Message must make decisions like this. Languages can't be mapped precisely one to another. In fact, think there is a lot of value in using more than one - it's a way of triangulating beyond the work of any one set of translators to the meaning of the underlying text. By the way - if you have a printed copy of the King James, you can see where such interpolated words have been used - the KJV is usually printed with italicized words for the words the translators used to fill in. If you've got access to an online bible - for example the BibleTool at Crosswire.org - http://www.crosswire.org/study, or the Blueletter Bible - http://www.blueletterbible.org/ - you can access electronic versions that let you link back to the original texts, much as I do for these studies.

The place David expects to find as the end of the story is a pleasant one. Maybe "happily ever after" is a paraphrase one could use. This isn't to say his life was an easy one. The Daqmey - places - he had to go through included slaying a giant, fighting for his kingdom, even battling his own children. Yet he found the confidence to say "I have a good inheritance." Not because he was deluded, but because he found through those difficulties he could trust God to help him through them.

We don't know the details of our tomorrows, nor can we turn to the last page of our life's story to discover how it will turn out. But we can take David's example and put our confidence in the one who will at last bring us to bel Daqmey, pleasant places.

As Jesus reminds us:

Therefore don't be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day's own evil is sufficient. Matthew 6:33,34