The Hebrew Word for “ONE”…and The Trinity

Here’s something I stumbled on today that seemed worth sharing.

Job 23:13 as translated in the ESV reads this way:

“But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does.”

The ESV footnote for “unchangeable” reads “or ‘one’”.

The KJV reads:

“But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? And what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.”

Strong’s says that “in one mind” is the Hebrew H259, ekh-awd’

Why is that significant? Because the foundation of Judaism and Islam is that God is One, and He has NO Son. That doctrine is based on Deut. 6:4, which says :

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”

And the Hebrew word translated “one” in Deut 6:4 is…you guessed it…same word, ekh-awd’, H259!

Look where else H259 crops up (among many others):

Gen 2:24 “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one [H259] flesh.” [UNITY OF TWO PERSONS]
Gen 3:22 “Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us…” [UNITY AMONG MANY]
Gen 11:1 “Now the whole earth had one language…” [UNITY OF MANY TONGUES]
Gen 29:20 “So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days…” [A FEW DAYS…again H259]
Gen 34:22 [after the rape of Dinah] “Only on this condition will the men agree to dwell with us to become one people…” [UNITY OF TWO GROUPS, H259]
Gen 41:25 “The dreams of Pharaoh are one…” [2 DREAMS WITH THE SAME MEANING, H259]

So you see that the Hebrew word “ekh-awd’,” Strong’s H259, does NOT contradict the fact of The Trinity.

Studying the Bible is fascinating and inspiring.

Psalm 100: “Make a Joyful Noise!”

CB - Make A Joyful Noise - Cover Art - 4-5-2021(3) Psalm 100 has been beloved by billions of worshipers for the past 3,000 years. Here is a brand new musical setting of this encouraging text. “Make a Joyful Noise! (Psalm 100)” is Craig Buhler’s latest composition for Peninsula Men’s Gospel Singers. The piece was composed for second tenor-baritone-bass (TBB) voices with piano accompaniment and was featured at the PMGS Spring Concert in June, 2021. An optional additional part is available for flute, alto saxophone, or clarinet.

To view and hear this piece, click here.

Copies may be purchased for $2.85 U.S. each plus $5.00 per order shipping within the USA. For orders outside the USA, an appropriate postage rate will be supplied.
To order, please click on the “contact” link found at the upper right corner of this page.

“Was,” “Am,” “Will Be”

THE CHOSEN AM IS ALL THAT MATTERS

GOD’S GOT A SENSE OF HUMOR!

GODS SENSE OF HUMOR

While swimming in the Strait of Juan de Fuca last week, the vastness of the ocean, the myriad sand, rocks, shells, and marine life struck me with the awesome grandeur of God’s amazing creation. This realization inspired further reflection on the mind-boggling complexity of God’s conception for this tremendous universe.

Before formulating the stupendous biodiversity of the plant and animal kingdoms, God first had to invent the 108 elements populating the periodic table of chemical elements, each with its own unique properties and personality. But before that could take place, the laws of physics (gravity and all those other complex interactions) which govern His universe needed first to be established. Oh, and it goes without saying that physics, chemistry, astronomy, and biology are all founded upon the mathematical principals which God also devised.

As a musician, the closest I can come to envisioning a project as overwhelming as the formation of our intricate habitable universe is imagining Beethoven composing his Ninth Symphony. More recently, when viewing the serpentine structure of a Jacob Collier video, the question arises, “Which track did he lay down first.”

I was on the verge of asking God the question, “Lord, what did you speak into existence first?” …when He – as always – anticipating my concern before it was articulated, chimed in: “First, I laid down a rhythm track before doing anything else.” Then, without missing a beat, He whispered in my ear, “…Next, I called out with a mighty, earthshaking voice, ‘More Cowbell!’”

I laughed so hard, the snorkel dislodged from my mouth! I caught a huge gulp of salty seawater before I could catch my breath!

So it seems to me that God does have a fabulous sense of humor, although it’s hard to see during times when we’re embroiled in hardship, trial, tragedy, or tribulation. It’s only in those brief moments of repose, when we’re able to ponder not only His Power, His Wisdom, and His Love, but also the lighthearted way He sometimes takes us by the hand and helps us to witness the lighter side of creation

Praise God Almighty!

Pray for a Brighter Tomorrow!

More than ever, in this chaotic season, we all need to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous person availeth much” (James 5:16) Here is a new musical setting of that powerful Scripture found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If My people who are called by My Name.” A chart is given below, in case you want to sing this song.

A New Christmas Carol

Douglas Bond published the text for his beautiful Christmas poem in his book “God Sings! (And Ways We Think He Ought To).” Doug’s poem inspired me to add music. This new carol is the result. I hope it will bless you. You will find sheet music for both piano and vocal trio below.

Click here and listen to this carol