Redeemed

“He redeems your life from the pit; he crowns you with faithful love and compassion. --Psalms 103:4

In the later years of his life, King David writes a beautiful depiction of the workings of the Lord in his life (check out the entire chapter). The English translation of "He redeems your life from the pit..." loses some of the depth and meaning of the original text. The specific usage of ‘redeems’ comes from the Hebrew word, gawal (גָּאַל Strongs: H1350). Gawal means: “to redeem, act as kinsman-redeemer, avenge, revenge, ransom, do the part of a kinsman.” A kinsmen-redeemer takes on the needs of others as their own, whether it involves seeking revenge, reclaiming property, or assuming responsibility for distant relatives. One of the most notable portrayals of a kinsmen-redeemer is found in the book of Ruth, who just so happens to be David’s great-grandmother.

The cliff notes version of the story of Ruth (according to Heidi) goes a little like this: Ruth was the daughter-in-law of an Israelite woman, Naomi. Ruth lost her husband (one of Naomi's sons) and chose to accompany Naomi as she returned to Bethlehem. There, she gleaned in the fields of Boaz, who was part of the line of redeemers in their family. After the next in line declined to buy back the “estate” of Naomi’s late husband, Boaz was able to assume the full responsibility as their redeemer, including marrying Ruth. Ultimately, their state of destitution soon turned into a lineage of hope, foreshadowing the work of the Cross in our lives.

Just like Boaz saved Ruth from a life of poverty, destitution, and hopelessness, David felt the same redemption that his great-grandmother had received. Throughout the Psalms in correlation with 1 and 2 Samuel, we can see how the LORD redeemed David time and time again, despite all of his failings and missteps. Jesus does the very same thing in our lives. He has made a way for redemption (Ephesians 1:7). He has made our needs His very own, becoming our kinsmen-redeemer (2 Corinthians 5:21) despite our own foolish blunders and sins.

As Boaz redeemed Ruth and saved her from ruination, King David expresses how the Lord has done the same, saving him from the pits of destruction, corruption, and hell. Ultimately, Jesus redeems us from the very same pits! He paid the price that we could not pay, he brought us into the fold, beckoning us to freedom from sin and death, and in the long run, restoring what was lost and broken. As David expressed in this Psalm, God adorns us with unwavering love and compassion. The Lord never acts outside of His character, and He won’t start acting any other way now (Malachi 3:6).

Today, remember, you were bought with a price, a price you could not pay. In return, when you allow redemption to take place, you are adorned with love and compassion from God. The idea that God redeems us and beautifies us is not just something to just be discussed, but it is to be praised, celebrated, and revered.