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Kaf
The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek HaShem shall not lack any good thing.
Psalms 34:10 (34:11 Hebrew)
Lamed
Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of HaShem.
Psalms 34:11 (34:12 Hebrew)
Introduction
So far we have seen this things in the previous eight stanzas:
- alef = G-d Almighty leads His people with His mouth (words)
- bet = G-d made manifest – dwells with His people
- gimel = G-d lifts up to rebuke or to reward
- dalet = G-d is the Door and Way of life
- hey = G-d breathes understanding and reveals Himself
- vav = G-d secures and binds us to Himself
- zayin – G-d defends and sustains us
- chet = G-d graciously sanctifies and protects His betrothed people
- tet = G-d’s way is good – His Word servant keeps His servants from being deceived.
- yod = We can trust the lovingkindness of HaShem, who made us with His hand and works all things together for good for us.
- This week we will look at the eleventh and twelfth stanza, the letters kaf and lamed.
Kaf: Kalta = “Faints” ( Verses 81-88)
- kaf = cover, allow, open, bend, tame, good deeds
- Picture = open palm, or wing
- Spelling = kaf-fay sofit
- Value = 20
- Sound = k, kh (no dot, or dagesh)
- Meaning = G-d covers and atones for His people. We are inscribed on the palms of His Hands (Is 49:16: chakak, kafim)
- This stanza shows that the hand of man is not what we need – rather the open hand of G-d to cover us against our Accuser.
Note: as a prefix, this letter means “like” or “as” – as a suffix it shows the possessive for the word. It resembles the letter bet, and when shown in final form (“sofit”), it looks like an oversized dalet or “door”.
Kaf Word
kaf words italicized
81 My soul faints for Your salvation, but I hope in Your Davar.
82 My eyes fail from searching Your Imrah, saying, “When will You comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in smoke, yet I do not forget Your Chukim.
84 How many are the days of Your servant? when will You execute Mishpat on those who persecute me?
85 The proud have dug pits for me, which is not according to Your Torah.
86 All Your Mitzvot are faithful; they persecute me wrongfully; Help me!
87 They almost made an end of me on earth, but I did not forsake Your Pikudim.
88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, so that I may keep the Edut of Your mouth.
Lamed: L’olam = “Forever” ( Verses 89-96)
- lamed = teach, yoke, bind to
- Picture = shepherds staff
- Spelling = lamed-mem-dalet
- Value = 30
- Sound = L
- Meaning = G-d’s authority controls and protects us as with a shepherd’s staff
- This stanza shows G-d’s staff is forever leading and guiding us according to His sovereign plan (“I am Yours, save me…”)
Note: as a prefix, this letter means “to” or “toward”. Lamed is a root for the word “talmidim” [disciples] which is how Yeshua referred to His followers. Are you a talmid of Yeshua HaMashiach?
Lamed Words
lamed words italicized
89 Forever, O HaShem, Your Davar is settled in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides.
91 They continue this day according to Your ordinances, for all are Your servants.
92 Unless Your Torah had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget Your Pikudim, for by them You have given me life.
94 I am Yours, save me; for I have sought Your Pikudim.
95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me, but I will consider Your Edut.
96 I have seen the consummation of all perfection, but Your commandment is exceedingly broad.
Summary
- The kaf verses show that the hand of man is not what we need – rather the open hand of G-d to cover us against our Accuser.
- The lamed verses show G-d’s staff is forever leading and guiding us according to His sovereign plan.
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