Psalm 19-verse-15
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Please Note: Some
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of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been
corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye
shall NOT ADD
TO THE WORD which I command
you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT,
that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem,
which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy
4:2. (JPS-1917).
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
We are going
to take a very close look at Tehillim - Psalm chapter 19, verse 15, at it is
such a wonderful scripture, and is has so much to teach us!
יִהְיוּ
לְרָצוֹן
אִמְרֵי-פִי,
וְהֶגְיוֹן
לִבִּי
לְפָנֶיךָ
יְהוָה,
צוּרִי
וְגֹאֲלִי
Transliteration: “Yih’yu l’ratzon
imrei’fi, v’hegyon libi l’faneichah, Adonai tzuri v’go’ali”.
Translation: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before Thee, O וְגֹאֲלִי יְהוָה
צוּרִי - LORD, my Rock, and my Redeemer”.
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Let us discover all the beauty of this verse and what it really tells
us?
To truly “enlarge” your understanding of Tehillim - Psalm 19,
verse 15 in the JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh, it helps to look at the
specific Hebrew nuances and its traditional role as a bridge between our inner
life and that of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ
שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’
- ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’
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1. The Meaning
of “Meditation” - (Higgaion):
In the
JPS-1917, the word “meditation” is a translation of the Hebrew הֶגְיוֹן
– ‘Higgaion’.
A “Sound” of the Heart: ‘Higgaion’ originally
referred to a low, murmuring sound, like the resonance of a harp, or a person
whispering to themselves.
The Depth:
This suggests that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) is not just listening to your ‘formal’, ‘loud’ ‘prayers’, but
also to the “hum” of your thoughts, the quiet, constant internal dialogue you
have throughout the day.
2. Why the
“Rock” and “Redeemer”?
The Psalmist
chooses these two titles deliberately to close the prayer:
My ‘Rock’ (Tzuri): This refers to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim as a firm, immovable foundation. In the context of this verse, it is a
plea for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim to be the “stable ground” that keeps your thoughts from wandering into
“presumptuous sins” (as mentioned in verse 14).
My Redeemer (Go’ali): This term has deep roots in Hebrew
law (Go’el). It refers to a “kinsman-redeemer” a
relative who steps in to pay a debt or rescue a family member from slavery. By
using this title, you are acknowledging that you cannot perfect your own heart;
you need אֱלֹהִים - Elohim to “buy back” your thoughts and redeem your failures.
3. Connection
to the Rest of the Psalm:
Commentaries
often note that this verse is the “human seal” on אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s “two books”:
From Vast to Intimate: The Psalm begins with the ‘massive’, ‘silent heavens’ (verses 2-7) and
moves to the perfect Torah (verses 8-11).
The Final Step: Verse 15 brings it down to the most microscopic level: the human mind. It
suggests that if the heavens and the Law are “perfect” and “pure”, our own
internal “meditation” should strive to be in harmony with that same order!
4. Its Place
in Jewish Tradition:
This verse is
so central that it was chosen to conclude the ‘Amidah’ (the
central “Standing Prayer”).
The “Final Acceptance”: We should begin our prayer by
asking אֱלֹהִים - Elohim to “open my lips” (Psalm 51:17) and we must end with “May the words of
my mouth ... be acceptable” (Psalm 19:15) to ensure our petition is complete and
sincere!
Summary of
Key Terms (JPS-1917)..
|
JPS 1917 Term |
Hebrew Concept |
Deeper Meaning |
|
“Acceptable”: |
L’ratzon: |
To be found “Favourably pleasing” like a worthy offering at the |
|
“Before
Thee”: |
Lefanecha: |
Literally “to Your face”, implying a transparent,
intimate relationship. |
|
“Rock”: |
Tzur: |
Stability; a refuge from the “presumptuous sins” of
the previous verse. |
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