Steve's "Daily Devotions" for Shevat 2, January 8, 2019
Parashah #2 "Noach"
Today's Scripture readings:
TORAH: Genesis 6:9-11:32*
HAFTARAH: Isaiah 54:1-55:5 SONG: "Sing O Barren Woman"
B'Chadashah, Matt 24:36-46, 1 Pet 3:18-22, Heb 11:7
Psalms 6-10, Proverbs 2, Acts 2, Revelation 2
Today as I was reading Torah portion #2 about Noah's Ark, I saw how the Lord (after saving the remnant of Noah and his family) promised He would never again destroy the earth with a flood.
I then turned to the corresponding Haftarah portion in Isaiah 54.
Immediately upon reading the first four words: "Sing O Barren Woman"
I heard a very happy calypso melody in my mind, and felt great joy in my heart.
Isaiah 54 is a wonderful song, where YHVH tells Israel that though she is like a young wife forsaken, it's only for a small moment that YHVH has forsaken her. He then says,
"Sing O Barren Woman, break forth into song."
I heard a joyful calypso come into my mind! And then — get this:
As I read from the Hebrew Bible I discovered that the Hebrew word used for a "small moment" is "rega katon"
That was the perfect confirmation that YHVH wanted me to use a calypso style for this song!
Because a certain style of music used in the Caribbean is called "reggaeton"
Well, the Lord speaks to me in unusual ways. That's all I have to say. :-)
Sing O Barren Woman (Isaiah 54), music
©2017 by Steve Kuban
Words mainly from the King James Version and some Orthodox Jewish Bible
CHORUS
Sing O barren woman
Break forth into song
Enlarge thy dwelling place
Lengthen thy cords!
Break forth on the right hand
And break forth on the left
The nations are your inheritance!
For thy Maker is thy Husband
YHVH Sabaoth His name
Thy Redeemer, Holy One of Israel!
God over all the nations
The Elohim of the whole earth
Your Go’ el, the Holy One of Israel
VERSE 1
Like a wife who was abandoned
And rejected in her youth
And though you were refused
I'm the One who's calling you!
For just a small moment — (just a "rega katon")
I hid My face in anger, but now I call you home!
With great mercy I will gather with compassion unto thee
Everlasting lovingkindness is the promise of YHVH!
CHORUS 1
Sing O barren woman!
Break forth into song!
Enlarge thy dwelling place
Lengthen thy cords!
Break forth on the right hand
And break forth on the left
The nations are your inheritance
BRIDGE
Sing O barren woman!
Break forth into song!
Stretch forth thy curtains
Lengthen thy cords!
(repeat)
CHORUS 1
Sing O barren woman!
Break forth into song!
Enlarge thy dwelling place
Lengthen thy cords!
Break forth on the right hand
And break forth on the left
The nations are your inheritance
VERSE 2
For as the waters of Noah
Shall never flood again the earth
This is my promise, I'm not angry with you.
For the mountains shall depart
And the hills be removed
But My kindness shall not depart from thee!
My covenant of peace
I shall never take away
Says YHVH Who has mercy on thee
CHORUS 1
Sing O barren woman!
Break forth into song!
Enlarge thy dwelling place
Lengthen thy cords!
Break forth on the right hand
And break forth on the left
The nations are your inheritance
Chorus 3?
I'll establish you in righteousness, and you will never fear
Terror and oppression, Will never come near!
No weapon formed against you,
shall prosper any way
And every tongue that comes against you
You'll condemn!
Steel Pan Solo
CHORUS 1
Sing O barren woman!
Break forth into song!
Enlarge thy dwelling place
Lengthen thy cords!
Break forth on the right hand
And break forth on the left
The nations are your inheritance
Chorus 3
No weapon formed against you,
shall prosper any way
And every tongue that comes against you
You'll condemn!
This is the heritage of the servants of YHVH
And their victory comes from Me, says the LORD
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD
And their victory comes from Me, says YHVH!
CHORUS 1
Sing O barren woman!
Break forth into song!
Enlarge thy dwelling place
Lengthen thy cords!
Break forth on the right hand
And break forth on the left
The nations are your inheritance
For thy Maker is thy Husband
YHVH Sabaoth His name
Thy Redeemer — Holy One of Israel!
God over all the nations
The Elohim of the whole earth
Your Go’ el, the Holy One of Israel
BRIDGE
Sing O barren woman!
Break forth into song!
Enlarge thy dwelling place
Lengthen thy cords
Sing O barren woman!
Break forth into song
Stretch forth thy curtains
Lengthen thy cords!
CHORUS 1
Sing O barren woman!
Break forth into song!
Enlarge thy dwelling place
Lengthen thy cords!
Break forth on the right hand
And break forth on the left
The nations are your inheritance
For thy Maker is thy Husband
YHVH Sabaoth His name
Thy Redeemer — Holy One of Israel!
God over all the nations
The Elohim of the whole earth
Your Go’ el, the Holy One of Israel
FINAL CHORUS
Sing Yerushalayim
Break forth Israel
Enlarge thy dwelling place
Lengthen thy cords!
Sing Yerushalayim
Break forth Israel
Enlarge thy dwelling place
Lengthen thy cords!
Break forth on the right hand
And break forth on the left
The nations are your inheritance
(Steel Pan Tag)
End
Sing O Barren Woman, Isaiah 54 - Music by Steve Kuban©2017
visit www.stevekuban.com/daily-devotions