Psalms 61:7:  “He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, [which] may preserve him.”

Commentators are all over the place on this verse.  Some say it is a reference to the Messiah, hence they render the word abide or yashav in Hebrew as to be enthroned.  This is a rare us of the word yashav and is used by translators who believe the context is a reference to the Messiah.  Some feel it is a reference to David and are merely asking that God preserve him from all the dangers that a king faces. Thus they are content with using the English word abide for yashav.  

One Hebrew word can have so many usages that it is only by the context that we can determine what English word to apply.  But then, as in this case, there are a number of possible contexts to consider.  Is it a reference to the Messiah, to David or to all of us who are believers? I’m of the mindset that when the context is ambiguous it was by design so that we could make numerous applications.  Why would God not want to say many things in one passage.  The Talmud speaks of the seventy faces of Torah.  Each verse could have seventy different applications and it is for that reason that the context and Hebrew language is at times ambiguous.

So I can appreciate this as a reference to David and to the Messiah Jesus as well.  However, I believe there is a reference and understanding for each of us.  That is found in the words  He shall abide before God for ever.  In that word abide we may have a clue as to what our eternal state is before God.  Unfortunately or fortunately the word for abide is yashav.  Yashav is a very common word in Hebrew and has had many usages. But let’s hold that for a moment, there is something else we need to examine first before we get into this word abide.

In Psalms 61:7, however, I find a very troubling word.  The verse is not saying abiding in God or even with God.  It is saying to abide yashav before God.  Actually the word for before is a very common word that is usually, almost always rendered as before, it is the word lapani.  It literally means “to the face of.”   Pani is often rendered as the presence of God since God does not have a face but He does has a presence.  So we would more accurately render this as we will forever abide toward the presence to God.

I find that a little disappointing, I was hoping to spend eternity in the presence of God not toward the presence of God.  The passage is clear, it is not in but before or toward.  I know how to put a spin on the rendering of Hebrew words, but I am afraid even I cannot that to mean anything but abiding toward or before God.  We shall abide forever toward the presence of God.

Wait a minute, yes, I think I can put a spin on it after all. I am so proud of myself, Donald Trump ought to hire me to put the spins on his speeches.  When the Muslims pray they practice what is known as the Qibla, which is when they pray five times a day they all face the same direction usually toward Mecca. It is not that Mecca is so special (well it is) but that is just an agreed upon location.  The reason for this is to symbolize the Ummah  or the unity of all Muslims of the world under Sharia (Law of God).  They have their own problems with unity just as we Christians do.  They use Qibla we Christians use our pot luck dinners.  I am convinced that 3,000 years from now Archaeologist will dig up a churches and find the all the cooking utensils, refrigerators, stoves and figure 21^st Century man worshipped cafeteria style.

Perhaps this passage is giving us some hint about unity.  By saying that we abide toward the presence of God  it is suggesting that in eternity the redeemed will all be in total and complete unity when facing the presence of God.  Now, judging from our churches today, this idea is major.  Imagine, all Christendom facing the presence of God in total and complete unity.

We can most certainly strive toward this and perhaps achieve some success, but I tend to think this will not happen until we all abide yashav in God.  What does that mean to yashav or abide in God?   The word yashav simply means to sit, but it has multiple usages in our English language.  It has been rendered as to sit, to dwell, to remain, to stay, to inhabit, to marry or to consummate, to settle or to encamp.   It is rarely used to mean to enthrone, but if the context calls for it, it would be a proper English word to use.  My study partner made a personal application by looking at the built in commentary of yashav and found the word is spelled Yod, Shin and Beth. The Yod represent the Spirit of God, the Shin as the passion of God and the Beth as her heart.  Therefore her idea of abiding before God is her spirit and the Spirit of joined together in the passionate love  of God in her heart joined with the heart of God.  I personally know of no better way to express my idea of what it is to abide with God

Oddly, I can find no usages of yashav as standing or bowing. The word contains the idea of taking up permanent residence.  I think if we are all honest we will have to admit that Jesus, by our personal invitation has taken up permanent residence in us He abides in us.  But note 1John 4:13 Hereby know we that we abide in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.  I wonder, He abides in us but do we really abide in Him all the time?  It is the Spirit that creates this unity in abiding and how often do we ignore the Spirit of God?  Most of us tend to have an on again and off again relationship.  When Jesus enters our heart, He takes up permanent residence, has His own room and pretty much has the say of how the house is run.  Sometimes, we leave that house to engage in activities that He and the Spirit of God are not in favor of.  So He may dwell or abide in us, but do we really abide in Him on a permanent basis.  One day we shall.

So can we come up with one English word to fit this?  I have a friend who texted me and said all the English words applied to yashav fits.  You know what I agree.  We will not only sit before his presences for eternity but we will also dwell, reside, inhabit, be enthroned  and yes, we will be married into His presence and consummate that marriage in His presence for eternity. We will be like Jesus in the sense that when we take up residence with Him in eternity, we will never leave like we do today, it will not be an on again and off again relationship, we will lock ourselves into His presence and never leave.