Adventures in Ein Gedi

While we were engaged, we went on a trip to Ein Gedi!* Ein Gedi is the desert oasis where David wrote many of the Psalms while he was hiding from Saul (See 1 Sam 23:29 and 1 Sam 24:1). It was established as a state park in 1974 because of the site's rich biblical history and its beautiful natural attributes; flowing streams, waterfalls, and natural swimming pools. Traveling to Ein Gedi is an easy day trim from Jerusalem, and one we highly recommend!



After a swim in the first pool.



My lover is to me a cluster of henna blossoms
from the vineyards of En Gedi. Song of Solomon 1:14



See the all the waterfalls in the background?



That's the Dead Sea behind Devin.



Weeeeee!



The water is just deep enough to have a nice swim.




Devin's turn.






The tropical trails.


This is "David's Waterfall." Some scholars believe it is the site where David penned Psalm 42:

1 As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul pants for You, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;
When shall I come and appear before God?

3 My tears have been my food day and night,
While they say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"

4 These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me
For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.

5 Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him
For the help of His presence.

6 O my God, my soul is in despair within me;
Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan
And the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.

7 Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls;
All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me.

8 The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime;
And His song will be with me in the night,
A prayer to the God of my life.

9 I will say to God my rock, "Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"

10 As a shattering of my bones, my adversaries revile me,
While they say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"

11 Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

*Photos and memories are from our trip in Aug 2008.


Resource:
Israel Nature and Natural Parks Protection Authority

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