Faith, hope and charity in Hebrew

Faith, hope and charity are sometimes mentioned together in the scriptures. It is also made clear that they belong together because it really is not possible to have one without the other. When hearing a word, our associations with that word is influenced both by our language and our culture and background. As usual I will go to the ancient Hebrew understanding of these words, because we don't know the Nephite language but we do know that they came from Jerusalem 600 BC and to some degree brought the Hebrew tradition with them.

For us today in English, faith, hope and charity are primarily abstract terms. This is a potential pitfall. We may come to view these as entirely abstract concepts and lose all practical application of these principles. Faith and hope become merely mental exercises whereas charity is a nice feeling inside. One thing that I have learned about the Hebrew language is that abstract terms are often rooted in very physical, tangible concepts. We will have a closer look at these three words in Hebrew.

Faith - Hebr. "emunah" (אמונה)

This is an action oriented word that might as well have been translated into "support", "faithfulness" or "loyalty". This way of understanding the term, changes things entirely. When we have English faith, we place the action on the one we have faith in. We believe that God exists and will act for our benefit. When we have Hebrew faith, the action is on the person who supports God. It is about our loyalty to him, typically in a covenant relation. In other words, having faith in this manner is not so concerned with the question about the existence of God, it is concerned with how we should show our devotion to him.

Hope - Hebr. "tiqvah" (תִּקְוָה)

This is an interesting word in Hebrew. It is based on the root, qavah, which means to wait. Hoping is closely related to waiting. Hebrew hope is waiting for something that will happen. There is also another aspect that exemplifies the abstract being rooted in something physical, that I mentioned. Tiqvah means both "hope" and "cord". This connection may seem strange on the surface. But the basic idea seems to be that hope is a cord attached to something bigger in the future. When something tangible as a cord is used to describe something abstract, it may also be easier to envision how to go about and apply the principle in our daily lives.

Charity - Hebr. "chesed" (חָסַד)

This one is tricky. When we read about charity in the Book of Mormon, this is the English translation of some unknown Nephite word. To help understand what that word possibly meant to the Nephites, we could turn to Hebrew like we did for faith and hope, but in this case it is difficult to find a Hebrew equivalent. "Charity" is not found at all in the English KJV Old Testament. There are several possible candidates, but I think "chesed" is the closest we get. It is usually translated into mercy, goodness or kindness. It is the Hebrew word that comes closest to the Greek "agape" which is the divine love translated into charity in the New Testament and matches "the pure love of Christ" expression very well.

In English, we might have a tendency to relate faith and hope more easily and think of charity as something quite different from the two. In Hebrew, I would say these three words are more closely related. In some English Bible versions, chesed is even translated into loyalty on a few occasions. This is because, just like faith (emunah), chesed is about commitment and often linked to a covenant. Here are some examples:

1 I will sing of the mercies [chesed] of the Lord for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness [enumah] to all generations.
2 For I have said, Mercy [chesed] shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness [enumah] shalt thou establish in the very heavens.
3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant (Psalms 89)

Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful [aman, related to enumah] God, which keepeth covenant and mercy [chesed] with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations (Deuteronomy 7:9)

Not only in these examples, but very often in the Old Testament, it is God who is faithful/loyal [enumah] and merciful/loving [chesed]. These are Godly attributes that we should strive to obtain. But we also see examples of these terms used to describe Old Testament people. When Abraham received promises from God as part of the covenant, 

he believed [aman, related to enumah] in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. (Genesis 15:6)

When best friends, David and Jonathan, had covenanted with each other, David asked of Jonathan

Therefore thou shalt deal kindly [chesed] with thy servant; for thou hast brought thy servant into a covenant of the Lord with thee (1 Samuel 20:8)

Of course, we don't know to what degree Nephites maintained this ancient Hebrew understanding when their language was developed over time. So this will inevitably be a bit speculative. But I think it is useful still to get a different perspective on this and at least be open to the possibility that these words might have had slightly different meaning for the Book of Mormon authors than they have for us today. Just for fun, let us try to read a well-known Book of Mormon verse (that happens to be one of my favorites) through that lens:

Wherefore, whoso believeth in [is loyal to] God might with surety hope wait for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope [cord] cometh of faith [by faithfulness], maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God. (Ether 12:4)

First a disclaimer: I believe the Book of Mormon translation to be given to Joseph Smith by God directly. There may be "faults of men", but if God wanted us to have the version I just made, he would make sure to give us that. My suggestion is therefore not meant to replace the version that we have that is written in our language for our benefit. To make the text flow, one needs to limit the words, and there is no room for commentary on the text in the text itself. Rather, consider my alternative "translation" a fun way to possibly gain more insight into the Hebrew heritage of the Book of Mormon authors.

With that out of the way, here is my take: Waiting with surety for a better world is waiting with confidence instead of impatience or doubt. This is something we can do when we are loyal to our covenant with God. Notice that I used the word, cord, the second time I replace the word, hope. I do this to invoke the image of a cord that we hold on one end where we have a place at the right hand of God at the other end. When coupled by faithfulness/loyalty, this cord becomes an anchor! Notice also the word, steadfast, towards the end of the verse. In Hebrew, this is also related to emunah/aman. There is a reciprocal relation between faith and hope in this verse. emunah adds surety to our tiqvah, making our "cord" to a better world an anchor, reinforcing our emunah.

Originally, I meant to post about further insight I gained seeing how faith, hope and charity is coupled with "good" in the Book of Mormon. But I thought this background could be useful before I get into that in my next post.

Psalms in the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 9-33

Jacob and Nephi both referenced the Psalms in their writings.  Today we'll look at the rest of 2 Nephi.

I find it really interesting that although the language seems to come from the Psalms, the usage varies. Nephi isn't strictly borrowing, he is using creative license to make his point while at the same time clearly making a reference to what I believe were well-known Hebrew hymns.  If we think of the Psalms as serving the same function for the Israelites that the hymns serve for us today, this would be like someone paraphrasing a famous hymn lyric but changing it up. For example, if I said, "I stood all amazed when I noticed my dad left me a card." Or "he put his shoulder to the task and pushed along."

I don't exactly know what to make of this, except that I find it very interesting, and Joseph Smith would have needed to know all of the Psalms by heart to accomplish this without notes.

Give Ear To My Words

1 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. (Psalm 5)

40 O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken. (2 Nephi 9)

In the Psalm, the writer is asking the Lord to "give ear." In 2 Nephi, Jacob asks his brethren to "give ear."

The Rock ... of Salvation

7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. (Psalm 62)

26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. (Psalm 89)

1 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. (Psalm 95)

45 O, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins; shake off the chains of him that would bind you fast; come unto that God who is the rock of your salvation. (2 Nephi 9)

Clean Hands ... Pure Heart

4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalm 24)

16 And after they have been scattered, and the Lord God hath scourged them by other nations for the space of many generations, yea, even down from generation to generation until they shall be persuaded to believe in Christ, the Son of God, and the atonement, which is infinite for all mankind—and when that day shall come that they shall believe in Christ, and worship the Father in his name, with pure hearts and clean hands, and look not forward any more for another Messiah, then, at that time, the day will come that it must needs be expedient that they should believe these things. (2 Nephi 25)

Shall Swallow Them Up

9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the Lord shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them. (Psalm 21)

5 And they that kill the prophets, and the saints, the depths of the earth shall swallow them up, saith the Lord of Hosts; and mountains shall cover them, and whirlwinds shall carry them away, and buildings shall fall upon them and crush them to pieces and grind them to powder. (2 Nephi 26)

Notice that the Lord does the swallowing in the Psalm and the earth does the swallowing in 2 Nephi.

The Depths of the Earth

20 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. (Psalm 71)

5 And they that kill the prophets, and the saints, the depths of the earth shall swallow them up, saith the Lord of Hosts; and mountains shall cover them, and whirlwinds shall carry them away, and buildings shall fall upon them and crush them to pieces and grind them to powder. (2 Nephi 26)

The Wicked Will He Destroy

20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. (Psalm 145)

10 For the time speedily cometh that the Lord God shall cause a great division among the people, and the wicked will he destroy; and he will spare his people, yea, even if it so be that he must destroy the wicked by fire. (2 Nephi 30)

Water ... By Night

6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. (Psalm 6)

3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry. (2 Nephi 33)

Old Testament Psalm-language in "Nephi's Psalm"

Today we'll take a closer look at the second half of 2 Nephi 4, which contains Nephi's beautiful and poignant poem. This passage is packed with Old Testament Psalm language, which probably shouldn't came as any surprise to us, given how well-versed Nephi was in Hebrew scripture.

I've leaned heavily on the analysis of others to identify examples of Psalm-language in the Book of Mormon, most notably this paper by John Hilton III and this study by Book of Mormon Central (see the appendix at the bottom). Many of these references can also be found in the "Psalms in the Book of Mormon" series of posts (starting with this one), but this passage deserves special attention and a format that allows easier visualization of the interwoven intertextuality.

I'd like to make a few points here regarding the textual connections between the Psalms and the Book of Mormon:

1. Joseph Smith would have dictated this chapter in one pass, probably in June 1829, at age 23.
2. The context of the specific Psalms quoted here by Nephi center on temple themes. I wonder what Joseph Smith would have been able to tell you about temple and covenants (much less about how ancient Hebrews viewed their temple covenant) at that time. The imagery found in the Psalms is heavily symbolically-related to the temple.  That's remarkable for Joseph Smith to have known that and incorporated it into the text.
3. Several of these poetic themes "resonate" in nearby verses.  For example, "because of mine enemy/enemies" in verses 27 and 29 echoes into adjacent verses 5 times in the form of the word "enemy."  Same with "deliver me," "trust," "heart," and "rock."
4. Notice how after a single reference to Psalms in the first three verses, there is a lull, followed by a crescendo of Psalm-language at the end.  It's really beautiful.

2 Nephi 4	Psalm reference
17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.	19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! (Psalm 31)
18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.
19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.	19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! (Psalm 31)
20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.
21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.
22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.
23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.
24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.
25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.
26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?
27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?	8 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. (Psalm 5)
28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.	7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. (Psalm 28)
29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.	8 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. (Psalm 5)
30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.	9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints. (Psalm 52) 26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. (Psalm 89)
31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?	1 O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: (Psalm 7)
32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!	13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? (Psalm 56)
33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.
34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.	23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee. (Psalm 55) 3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. (Psalm 56) 1 O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: (Psalm 7)
35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.	1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (Psalm 121) 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. (Psalm 63) 8 I cried to thee, O Lord; and unto the Lord I made supplication. (Psalm 30)

Psalms in the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 4, continued

Let's continue looking at Psalms language in the Book of Mormon. 2 Nephi 4, the latter half of which is commonly known as "Nephi's Psalm" draws heavily from Psalm language.

My God and the Rock of My Salvation

26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. (Psalm 89)

30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation. (2 Nephi 4)

That I may walk

13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? (Psalm 56)

32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road! (2 Nephi 4)

Make . . . straight before

8 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. (Psalm 5)

33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy. (2 Nephi 4)

I will trust in thee

23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee. (Psalm 55)

3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. (Psalm 56)

34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm. (2 Nephi 4)

I will lift up my

4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. (Psalm 63)

1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (Psalm 121)

35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen. (2 Nephi 4)

See also 1 Nephi 21:22/Isaiah 49:22.

I will cry unto

2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. (Psalm 57)

35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen. (2 Nephi 4)

See Also Alma 33:11.