Shin
He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.34:20 (34:21 Hebrew)
Tav
Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
Psalms 34:21 (34:22 Hebrew)

Introduction

• In the last lesson we saw how the kuf stanza shows that if we must follow G-d. G-d answers those whom He has set apart for Himself.
• We saw how the reish stanza shows that the sum of G-d’s Word is truth and that it should have the highest place in our lives.

Shin: Sarim= “Princes” ( Verses 161-168)

• shin = consume, destroy, sharp, eat
• Picture = teeth
• Spelling = shin-yod-nun sofit
• Value = 300
• Sound = sh, s
• Meaning = G-d is a consuming fire (Heb 12:29). He consumes all that oppose Him. He defends those who humble themselves before Him.
• This stanza shows that G-d consumes and destroys all those things which steal peace from His people.
  
  Note: This letter is what is on our doorposts (mezuzah) symbolizing “Ek Shaddai”.

Shin Words

shin words italicized
161 Princes persecute me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your Davar.
162 I rejoice at Your Imrah as one who finds great treasure.
163 I hate and abhor lying, but I love Your Torah.
164 Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous Mishpatim.
165 Great peace have those who love Your Torah, and nothing causes them to stumble.
166 HaShem, I hope for Your salvation, and I do Your Mitzvot.
167 My soul keeps Your Edah, and I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep Your Pikudim and Your Edah, for all my Derek are before You.

Tav: Tikrav = “Let [it] come before” ( Verses 169-176)

• tav = covenant sign, to seal, mark, monument, join together
• Picture = a sign
• Spelling = tav-vav
• Value = 400
• Sound = t
• Meaning = G-d makes covenant with His people
• This stanza shows that when men go astray, it is G-d alone who can save… G-d saves through His covenant.
  
  Note: tav as a covenant sign. Ezekiel 9:4-5 the ‘mark’ is tav in Hebrew. Compare to Rev 14:1. Contrast Rev 13:16-18

  Tav Words

tav words italicized
169 Let my cry come before You, HaShem; give me understanding according to Your Davar.
170 Let my supplication come before You; deliver me according to Your Imrah.
171 My lips shall utter praise, for You teach me Your Chukim.
172 My tongue shall speak of Your Imrah, for all Your Mitzvot are righteousness.
173 LetYour hand become my help, for I have chosen Your Pikudim.
174 I long for Your salvation, HaShem, and Your Torah is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise You; and let Your Mishpatim help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your Mitzvot.

Summary                                                              

• The shin stanza shows that G-d consumes and destroys all those things which steal peace from His people.
  The tav stanza shows that when men go astray, it is G-d alone who can save… G-d saves through His covenant.