Post by Mark on Jul 6, 2008 6:51:11 GMT -8
Ayn Kamokha
"There is none like You among the gods, O Adonai, and there is nothing like Your works. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and Your dominion is throughout all generations. Adonai reigns, Adonai has reigned, Adonai will reign forever and ever. Adonai will give strength unto His people. Adonai will bless His people with peace."
The Ayn Kamokha asks the question who is like Adonai who is Almighty and everlasting. The kingdom which stretches to everlasting (owlam) as easily means the kingdom that spans the entire universe. Not only is there no time for any other deities to compare to Adonai, there is no space for one. His reign is eternal: expressed as that which was, which is and which is to come. He is Adonai, the Lord eternal.
This introduces a concern about His credibility by the very prayer. If He was and is, why is it that He will give strength to His people. Why has not it always been the case? If His power is everlasting, why has not His blessing rested on His people from everlasting?
The answer lies in the question of the Mi Kamokha: "Who is like You, Adonai, among the gods?" The answer is none. Any god in legend or mythology can sustain what always has been. In Hebrew, there is a legendary phrase that describes His unique quality: yesh mi’ayin, something from nothing. The beauty of Adonai in His power lies in His ability to create something from nothing.
The substance of the Ayn Kamokha is largely derived from Psalm 86, where David is testifying to Adonai’s power over chaos. To demonstrate such authority over time, space and matter, it was necessary to demonstrate, within the existence of time, space and matter, a void which He alone is able to fill. This void is clearly seen in the world today (a world of time, space and matter) filled with chaos. No more obvious is this sense of disorder and lack of peace found than what is clearly existent in the land and nation of Israel. Yet, at the same time, nowhere is there a clearer understanding of the absolute authority of Adonai and the constant presence of His sustaining power than upon this seemingly fragile people. He has created peace where there is no peace. He has given blessing where everyone surrounding us has shouted cursing.
The final two phrases of the Ayn Kamokha are the final sentences of Psalm 29. Adonai will give strength unto His people and will bless them with peace. The Psalm is a testimony that Adonai is sovereign over all things and that in His holy Temple, His name is praised by all. The Ayn Kamokha a statement of settled reality, regardless of our perception of circumstances. His peace exists, His power and presence exists in the presence of absolute turmoil and chaos. He is continually making something from nothing, every moment, for all of us to see in our present day and in our own experiences, testifying that He is Adonai, like no other god.
"There is none like You among the gods, O Adonai, and there is nothing like Your works. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and Your dominion is throughout all generations. Adonai reigns, Adonai has reigned, Adonai will reign forever and ever. Adonai will give strength unto His people. Adonai will bless His people with peace."
The Ayn Kamokha asks the question who is like Adonai who is Almighty and everlasting. The kingdom which stretches to everlasting (owlam) as easily means the kingdom that spans the entire universe. Not only is there no time for any other deities to compare to Adonai, there is no space for one. His reign is eternal: expressed as that which was, which is and which is to come. He is Adonai, the Lord eternal.
This introduces a concern about His credibility by the very prayer. If He was and is, why is it that He will give strength to His people. Why has not it always been the case? If His power is everlasting, why has not His blessing rested on His people from everlasting?
The answer lies in the question of the Mi Kamokha: "Who is like You, Adonai, among the gods?" The answer is none. Any god in legend or mythology can sustain what always has been. In Hebrew, there is a legendary phrase that describes His unique quality: yesh mi’ayin, something from nothing. The beauty of Adonai in His power lies in His ability to create something from nothing.
The substance of the Ayn Kamokha is largely derived from Psalm 86, where David is testifying to Adonai’s power over chaos. To demonstrate such authority over time, space and matter, it was necessary to demonstrate, within the existence of time, space and matter, a void which He alone is able to fill. This void is clearly seen in the world today (a world of time, space and matter) filled with chaos. No more obvious is this sense of disorder and lack of peace found than what is clearly existent in the land and nation of Israel. Yet, at the same time, nowhere is there a clearer understanding of the absolute authority of Adonai and the constant presence of His sustaining power than upon this seemingly fragile people. He has created peace where there is no peace. He has given blessing where everyone surrounding us has shouted cursing.
The final two phrases of the Ayn Kamokha are the final sentences of Psalm 29. Adonai will give strength unto His people and will bless them with peace. The Psalm is a testimony that Adonai is sovereign over all things and that in His holy Temple, His name is praised by all. The Ayn Kamokha a statement of settled reality, regardless of our perception of circumstances. His peace exists, His power and presence exists in the presence of absolute turmoil and chaos. He is continually making something from nothing, every moment, for all of us to see in our present day and in our own experiences, testifying that He is Adonai, like no other god.