Tehillim - Psalm 63

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:

1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.

*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ having been corrected like it once was, pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following two truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!

“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).

“This is My Name FOREVER, and this is My Memorial to ALL Generations”. Shemot - Exodus 3:15. (JPS).

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“Tehillim - Psalm 63”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Just before the study, I would like to provide one more vital quote from the book of Yahoshua - Joshua Ch 1:7-8. (JPS-1917).

“Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey the entire Torah My servant Moshe has given you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

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Introduction:

Tehillim - Psalm 63 is titled “A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.” It frames spiritual thirst in physical exile: longing for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s (God’s), satisfaction in divine presence and confidence against enemies are the poem’s three movements.

Let us now read this remarkable Psalm!

Tehillim - Psalm 63: (JPS-19917 version of the Tanakh):

1. “A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
2. O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, Thou art my אֱלֹהִים, earnestly will I seek Thee; my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee, in a dry and weary land, where no water is.
3. So have I looked for Thee in the sanctuary, to see Thy power and Thy glory.
4. For Thy lovingkindness is better than life; my lips shall praise Thee.
5. So will I bless Thee as long as I live; in Thy name will I lift up my hands.
6. My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth doth praise Thee with joyful lips;
7. When I remember Thee upon my couch, and meditate on Thee in the night-watches.
8. For Thou hast been my help, and in the shadow of Thy wings do I rejoice.
9. My soul cleaveth unto Thee; Thy right hand holdeth me fast.
10. But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the nethermost parts of the earth.
11. They shall be hurled to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for foxes.
12. But the king shall rejoice in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim; every one that sweareth by Him shall glory; for the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped”.

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Let us look at a word for word in detail:

Verse 1.

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. - Heading; situates speaker and setting.

Verse 2.

O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, Thou art my אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. - earnestly will I seek Thee; My soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee, In a dry and weary land, where no water is. “my אֱלֹהִים” = personal relationship; soul/flesh = inner life and embodied need; thirst/longing = urgent spiritual desire in a barren place.

Verse 3.

So have I looked for Thee in the Sanctuary, to see Thy power and Thy glory. - memory of worship; seeking revelation of אֱלֹהִים – Elohim’s power and glory.

Verse 4.

For Thy lovingkindness is better than life; My lips shall praise Thee. - chesed (lovingkindness) valued above life itself; praise as natural response.

Verse 5.

So will I bless Thee as long as I live; In Thy name will I lift up my hands. - lifelong devotion; lifting hands = prayer/adoration.

Verse 6.

My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness; And my mouth doth praise Thee with joyful lips; rich food imagery to express spiritual satisfaction and joyful praise.

Verse 7.

When I remember Thee upon my couch, And meditate on Thee in the night-watches. continual remembrance and meditation, even at night.

Verse 8.

For Thou hast been my help, And in the shadow of Thy wings do I rejoice. help and protective wings imagery = refuge and delight.

Verse 9.

My soul cleaveth unto Thee; Thy right hand holdeth me fast. - clinging to אֱלֹהִים; right hand = sustaining power.

Verse 10.

But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, Shall go into the nethermost parts of the earth. - enemies contrasted; fate of those who pursue the psalmist.

Verse 11.

They shall be hurled to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for foxes. - vivid image of defeat and disgrace for the wicked; the faithful will rejoice and sing.

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Additional observations:

Key Hebrew concept: chesed (loving-kindness) is central valued above life and the motive for praise.

Structure: three movements, ‘longing’ (vv.1-4), ‘satisfaction and remembrance’ (vv.5-9), ‘vindication and contrast with enemies’ (vv.10-11).

Imagery: water/desert, marrow/fatness, wings, right hand - all concrete metaphors linking physical need and divine provision!

Conclusion:

Tehillim - Psalm 63 invites you to name your thirst, seek the אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - LORD Elohim persistently, and rest in the deep satisfaction that comes from אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s loving-kindness. Let its images guide your prayer: cry out in the wilderness, remember אֱלֹהִים at night, cling to the right hand that holds you fast, and trust אֱלֹהִים for vindication and praise!

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PLEASE NOTE: This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following, via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. MEC).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם

“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem; walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He is the one who gave us our Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s (Prayers) and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

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