Perhaps among the most familiar expressions of piety in the Old Testament are the psalms that speak of the nephesh thirsting or longing for God (Pss. 42:1; 63:1; 119:20, 81; 143:6; cf. Isa. 26:8). H. Seebass concludes that these are expressions of “life” longing for Yahweh, who is the source of life.49 Just as we spoke previously of the need of connectedness to society, in Israel there is a need of vibrant connectedness to God.50 “A person does not have a vital self but is a vital self.”51 Human vitality finds its source in God.52 This vitality remains something that is exterior rather than
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