Hebrew Word Study – Over or Upon – ‘Al: Ayin Lamed

Psalms 103:13:  “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.”

There are a few little nuances in this verse that many would feel are unimportant.  Yet, when you are seeking the heart of God, these little nuances carry life-changing implications.  Such is the case with Psalms 103:13.  Does it really matter how we render the Hebrew word ‘al which could mean over or upon?  Perhaps like the KJV, we should just ignore the word?  

Some translations will say “As a father shows compassion upon his sons.”  Others will say over his sons. There is a little difference in nuance in the English word upon and over. That difference is not reflected in the Hebrew word ‘al so it is up to you and what the Holy Spirit whispers in your ear as to which word you will use if you use any word at all.  It is also an indication of the translator’s worldview of God.  To say over his sons gives the impression of covering his sons with compassion.  But if you say upon his sons. It not only gives the impression of covering his sons but touching them as well. Then of course you can just ignore the word like the KJV and say the Lord pities his children.

For instance, I am sitting here in Starbucks writing this up. I was watching a couple of Twinkies, you know that young couple either newly married or freshly in love. They were just absorbed into each other.  All of a sudden there was a bang or popping sound from outside which sounded like a firecracker or even a gunshot. Instantly our gallant young man placed himself in front of his beloved covering her with his body.  At first, he just stood over her protectively not even touching her. Still, then to everyone’s satisfaction, the guy suddenly realized what an opportunity he was about to pass up so instead of being just over his sweetheart, he was then upon her.  The protective covering had now become a little hug where they exchanged a quick kiss and then resumed their socially acceptable position renewing our faith in the All-American Male. When it comes to my relationship with God, these little nuances are important. Yes, I would like God to show compassion over me, but I would much prefer he show this compassion upon me. I don’t know about you but hugs are a very rare occurrence with me and if God is going to show me some compassion I really won’t mind if He topped it off with a little hug as well. So if you don’t mind, I will choose the word upon rather than over, it is a little more personal and fits my God very nicely, thank you.  Perhaps your God is that aloof God who does not like the touchy-feely stuff,  say hey, more power to ya. 

So what is this compassion or pity business anyway?  Will let’s just look at it in Hebrew and  – surprise – it is my favorite word racham.   David also really loves that word.  There are many faces to racham which is really a God love that we can not experience in its fullness while in the physical realm but like that young couple who are now sitting across from me and are, aw, taking little sips from each other’s coffee cup and gazing into each other’s eyes. Oh, they are so cute.  But I am digressing.  They are getting close to racham, but it is still ‘ahav.  

Most translations choose the word compassion for racham.  A good choice, I like that.  Another translation says tender and compassionate.  I am looking at a young mother now with her little daughter who is about three years old standing in line.  The daughter is bouncing up and down wanting that little piece of cake she sees in the glass case. The mother is now kneeling down to her level and pointing to something else in the glass case as the little daughter squeals with delight and the mother’s face just beams as she tenderly wipes the hair away from her daughter’s eyes.  Ah, tender and compassionate, you know I really like that rendering too.  I like to have God beside me taking delight in the things I find joyful. But we are still not at racham.

Now the KJV says pitieth.  Ok, that can be racham also, but when I first came into this Starbucks I saw a dirty bum, in filthy clothes sitting in the corner. After a few minutes, I noticed someone purchased an extra cup of coffee and just set it in front of the bum and walked away. The bum was now a customer and he could stay in the coffee shop and keep warm.  This is one of those romantic dark, chilly rain-swept days and it doesn’t appear like the bum is ready to go outside into all that just yet.  His beneficiary had walked to the other side of the shop and sat down with a woman, perhaps his wife.  They looked to be a prosperous and happy couple and it is obvious this man had pitied the bum.  He felt sorry for the bum.  Looking at relationships with God I still prefer the tender and compassionate rendering over pity, although both are correct renderings, it is up to you to make your choice.

Another translation says he shows mercy.  Yes, that too is another correct translation of racham.  A little while ago some old boy sitting on the other side of the coffee shop accidentally knocked his cup of coffee off his table when he tried to relocate his computer.  Yeah, I am not the only one with a computer in this coffee shop.  Considering the artistic district I am in you can be safe to walk up to anyone working on a laptop and ask: “How’s your book coming?”  Anyways this old boy was obviously embarrassed having knocked his cup over but the young female employee was there in an instant with a mop and cooing to the customer how it was okay and they would get him another cup of coffee. Just another PR coupe for Starbucks.  Anyways, this young gal was showing this old boy mercy.  Starbucks did not have to be so friendly with the clumsy ox nor were they obligated to give him another cup of coffee.  They did, and in that, they showed him mercy. 

Ok, I could use some mercy or undeserved favor from God and I would be happy with rendering racham as mercy here, but say,  since I have a choice, I think I still like the idea of tender and compassionate.  So it is the mother and daughter who get the prize for helping this dusty old professor choose his own word for racham in this passage. Of course, you are free to make your own choice, let the Holy Spirit whisper the best choice for you to fit your present situation.  I’ve made mine.

The point is we have no one word in English or Greek for racham as it is a love that is beyond our comprehension so we can only come within a shadow of the true meaning while here on earth.  Take your best shot but it is still not racham love. 

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