7-Psalms-of-the-Week
-hebraicstudies.net-
Please do NOT visit this
site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on
the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!
Re Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I may use any of three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish
Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF), three brilliant versions, However, the
JPS-1917 is my preferred version!
Colour coded
details of our beloved 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’
of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it
once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
YYYYYYY
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 אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloleichem,
which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
YYYYYYY
With Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
How did the 7 Psalms for the week come about?
We are so blessed to be able to read 7
traditional ‘Tehillim - Psalms of the Day’ (recited one each day during the week). It’s
origin originates from ancient
Thus these
Psalms were specific selections mapped to these days based on the themes of
creation. For instance, Psalm 24 celebrates אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s (God’s) ownership of the earth, fitting for
the day creation began, while Psalm 92 is the dedicated song for the Sabbath,
our blessed day of rest!
These daily Psalms commence as follows:
1. Shabbat / Saturday (Seventh Day): Psalm 92.
2. Sunday (First Day): Psalm 24.
3 Monday (Second Day): Psalm 48.
4. Tuesday (Third Day): Psalm 82.
5. Wednesday (Fourth Day): Psalm 94.
6. Thursday (Fifth Day): Psalm 81.
7. Friday (Sixth Day): Psalm 93.
YYYYYYY
Let us look at the first Psalm read, this is Tehillim - Psalm 92 which is the only Psalm explicitly attributed to our beloved Shabbas, yet it contains no direct references to our Sabbath rituals. Instead, it celebrates ‘creation’ itself, framing the Sabbath as a day for perceiving ‘Divine order’ and ‘harmony’. The Psalm’s structure reflects this theme: and what is so beautiful is that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s (God’s) Name appears Seven times, three before and three after the central verse (verse 9), and once in that verse itself echoing the seven days of creation. Seven verses also precede and follow the midpoint. Surrounding the center are 52 words, perhaps symbolizing the weeks of the year, a subtle nod to the rhythm of time.
Through poetic imagery, the Psalm evokes the perfection of the created world a beauty visible only from the stillness and distance of perspective that Shabbat invites. On this day of rest, the big picture of life can come into focus. As verse 2 proclaims: “It is a good thing to give thanks unto יְהוָה - the LORD, and to sing praises unto Thy Name, O Most High”. The phrase “it is a good” recalls the refrain of Genesis, where אֱלֹהִים - Elohim affirms the goodness of each stage of creation.
The psalmist paints a sweeping picture of existence, spanning day and night (verse 3) and heights and depths (verse 6). In Hebrew, several phrases shift from singular to plural, creating expansiveness that mirrors the unfolding of creation itself. The Psalm likens the faithful to the date palm and the cedar of Lebanon, trees renowned for endurance and vitality, while the wicked, rootless and transient, ultimately perish. The wicked, the psalmist suggests, are scorned for their inability to fathom the Divine perspective that sustains the righteous.
At the heart of the Psalm lies its briefest yet most profound verse: “But You are exalted forever, O יְהוָה - LORD.” In Hebrew, this verse consists of four words, each with four letters and it reflects on this verse’s contemplative power:
It seems that the reader is challenged to confront these four terms, and it is unclear whether the challenge would properly be termed as ‘blending’, ‘understanding’, ‘probing’, ‘confronting’, or ‘something else’. The ‘Psalm for the Sabbath Day’ leads to deep contemplation, extending beyond words. Here is no struggle; here is no doubt; here is no request. Here, the words are used to move the reader to nonverbal thinking. Just as the laws of the Sabbath take one away from the normal hustle and bustle of life, so does this poem suggest a meeting with the Divine through reflection rather than through philosophy?
This insight captures the Psalm’s essence: Its purpose is not to prescribe Sabbath observance but to cultivate a Sabbath consciousness, a state of awareness in which human perception realigns with Divine creation. Psalm 92 invites the reader to move from activity to contemplation, from language to silence, from human striving to gratitude.
In this sacred stillness, one perceives life’s wholeness. Much like the rest note in a musical piece creates space for the music to coalesce, Shabbat is a rhythmic reminder that rest is itself part of Divine design. Shabbat, then, is not merely cessation from work, but participation in the cosmic order, an opportunity to behold the world as “very good,” to get a glimpse of the pulse of eternity within time.
Ultimately, the psalmist offers no ritual instruction, only a vision: To stand in awe of the Creator and the creation, to give thanks, and to recognize that our deepest purpose is to sing unto אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, to rest in gratitude, and to let our weary spirits root themselves, like the righteous trees, in the soil of Divine goodness.
Each of the above Psalms are found at Daily-Psalms
YYYYYYY
Please Note: “hebraicstudies” links are located down
the page!
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 through a number of our prophets...
“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;
“The More Torah, the More Life”,
For Elohim 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!
Enter ...