HEBREW WORD STUDY – CLOUDY – ‘ASHAN עשנ Ayin Shin Nun

Psalms 80:4: “O Lord God of host, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of they people?”

“My words fly up, but my thoughts remain below. Words without thoughts never to heaven go.” Shakespeare – Hamlet: Scene III, Act III.

The word used here for anger is ‘ashan. There are seven different words for anger in the Hebrew. None are “ashan.” Actually, the word ashan means smoky, clouded, foggy. Somehow the translators came up with the word “angry.” Not sure how. But saying “how long will you smoke out prayers” doesn’t really make much sense. Actually, the syntax here is up for grabs. So when the smoke settles (the pun is intended by the way), you do have a couple different ways to look at this. I have been dealing with the English word cloud lately from the Hebrew so I am choosing to examine this using cloud for ‘ashan.

You have a difficult construction for “how long wilt thou be angry.” It is simply ’id meti, This is in a construct form. You can make id meti say a lot of different things. In it’s very basic form the id means to repeat, do again and again. The meti – now that is a hard one. It could be one of two possible root words mathah or moth. Mathah has the idea of extending, numbering, hence the interrogative when. Moth has the idea of death, destruction, making silent.

By choosing the word cloud for ‘ashan I would render this passage as: “O Lord, God of host you have repeatedly clouded the prayers of your people. But note there is a Beth in front of the word ‘ashan or cloud. That Beth is a preposition and it is not, unless the context demands it, the word against for against his people’s prayers. The preposition Beth is normally rendered as in, on or by their prayers.

What does it mean that God puts a cloud or a smoke screen by the prayers of the people? Check the previous verse. Asaph is asking God to cause His face to shine. This is an old Hebraic idiomatic expression for the presence of God. Some sages even say those words “Ha’er panika” “Cause the Light of Your presence to shine.” This is a mystical expression meaning that you have the power to bring the presence of God. Ok, maybe I am being a little too dramatic. But is it interesting that Asaph is using the word ha’or for shine which is really the word for the light. In the very next verse he then says prayers are clouded. Does not a cloud blocks out the sun light?

This could be a very depressing Psalm. The people are in deep trouble and it seems as if God is just not there. Asaph is asking God to again bring back His presence. Without His presence the prayer of His people are clouded. A cloud that is blocking out the light or presence of God.

Do you ever find yourself trying to pray, but like Shakespeare said, it is as if your words fly up but your thoughts remain below. It is almost like there is a cloud between you and God. Ok, maybe you don’t have that problem, maybe I am the only one who experiences this, but I am not alone, it appears Asaph and the people of Israel also had this problem. What did Asaph do about it, he wrote a Psalm. In this Psalm he pour his heart out to God. He talked of God’s power, His control and His love. But he also spoke some powerful words. Words that the Father likes to hear and Asaph kept repeating the words until he came into a new Psalm – Psalm 81. The words? Ha’er panika “Cause the light of your presence to shine.”

I am sure you all heard the story of Tommy Dorsey the Father of Gospel music, the one who coined the word: “Gospel Music.” For years he was the music director of the Pilgrim Baptist Church on the South Side of Chicago. When his wife and baby died, he sat down at the piano in deep sorrow and distress and just began to wail: “O Lord, O, Lord, O’Lord.” Ever have those “O’Lord” sessions. You are in such distress, it is like a cloud between you and God, all you can say is “O, Lord.” A friend sitting next to Tommy Dorsey said: “Don’t call Him Lord, call Him ‘Precious Lord.” Tommy Dorsey then looked up and said: “Precious Lord.” The cloud slowly began to evaporate as he called Him, “Precious Lord.” With the cloud lifting he was then able to pray and the words flowed out of him.

Precious Lord, take my hand,

Lead me on, help stand,

I am tired, I am weak, I am worn

Through the storms. through the night,

Lead me on, to the light,

Take my hand, Precious Lord, lead me home.

If you ever find a cloud between you and God, maybe you can do like Asaph or Tommy Dorsey and start speaking words that the Father likes to hear. Maybe like Asaph: “Cause the light of your presence to shine.” Or like Tommy Dorsey, simply “Precious Lord.” Or ask the Holy Sprit for words that the Father likes to hear. Then speak those words like Asaph and Tommy Dorsey – with all your heart. You may watch the ashan clouds roll away.