LAND of the LIVING

Psalm 116:1-8

The psalm as a whole has three parts:

(1) Verses 1 through 9 beginning with “I loved for/because the LORD will hear to the voice of my pleas”  

(2) Verses 10 through 15 beginning with “I believed for/because [usually translated as therefore] I will speak”

(3) Verses 16 through 19 beginning with “I beseech o LORD; I am your servant/slave”  

What is very interesting is verse 9: I will walk before the LORD in the lands (!) of the living [ones]. Most of the translations – KJV/AV, NKJV, ESV – translates this verse with a single form of the word land, while the Hebrew text clearly states be-artsoth. The -oth is the ending for feminine plural form. This reading leads to a “3D” interpretation. First, the author of the psalm will walk through the land of Israel – reason being the LORD supports him. He – the author – can be a witness of Lord’s support, provision, and defense of the faithful one.

Second, he will go to the lands of other nations – as a representative or – as St. Paul puts it – an ambassador of the LORD (cp. 2 Cor. 5:20-21). His walk through their lands will turn them into the land of the living as they will begin to worship YHWH – the Living one!

Third, the ultimate “land of the living” is – for sure – the new heaven and new land (usually translated as new earth, but the Hebrew word is the same – erets, cp. Is. 65:17). The new creation made of new heavens and new earth is ruled by the Lion of Judah who looks like the Lamb of God (Rev. 5:5-6). The One who sacrificed Himself for the reconciliation of the world with God, has a ruling authority over the world. Therefore, this eschatological reading should be included in the polyphony of interpretations.

SDG!