Psalm-103-Special

 

 

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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 (God), 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 אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

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“Psalm 103 Special”

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

 

A Special Introduction:

Tehillim - Psalm 103 is a magnificent hymn of ‘personal’ and ‘universal praise’ attributed to David, emphasizing Elohim’s boundless ‘compassion’, ‘forgiveness’, and ‘eternal grace’. It moves from an intimate ‘reflection’ on ‘physical’ and ‘spiritual healing’ to a cosmic call for all creation to bless the Divine. This remarkable Psalm ‘opens’ and ‘closes’ with the stirring call, “Bless יְהוָה - the LORD, O my soul”. Written as a personal meditation that expands into a community and heavenly chorus, it counts the daily mercies of Elohim against the fragile, fleeting nature of human existence.

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Let us read the beautiful Tehillim - Psalm 103: (From JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. (A Psalm) of David. Bless יְהוָה - the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name. 2. Bless יְהוָה - the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; 3. Who forgiveth all thine iniquity; who healeth all thy diseases; 4. Who redeemeth thy life from the pit; who encompasseth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies; 5. Who satisfieth thine old age with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle? 6. יְהוָה - the LORD executeth righteousness, and acts of justice for all that are oppressed. 7. He made known His ways unto Moses, His doings unto the children of Israel. 8. יְהוָה - the LORD is full of compassion and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9. He will not always contend; neither will He keep His anger forever. 10. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor requited us according to our iniquities. 11. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. 12. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us. 13. Like as a father hath compassion upon his children, so hath יְהוָה - the LORD compassion upon them that fear Him. 14. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust. 15. As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. 16. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof knoweth it no more. 17. But the mercy of יְהוָה - the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children’s children; 18. To such as keep His covenant, and to those that remember His precepts to do them. 19. יְהוָה - the LORD hath established His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all. 20. Bless יְהוָה - the LORD, ye angels of His, ye mighty in strength, that fulfil His word, hearkening unto the voice of His word. 21. Bless יְהוָה - the LORD, all ye His hosts; ye ministers of His that do His pleasure. 22. Bless יְהוָה - the LORD, all ye His works, in all places of His dominion; bless יְהוָה - the LORD, O my soul”.

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Here is my Commentary of this remarkable Psalm!

Verses 1-5: Counting Personal Blessings.

Verse 1: An inward awakening; waking up every fibber of one’s being to praise the Holy Name.

Verse 2: A warning against forgetfulness; gratitude requires active memory of God's good deeds.

Verse 3: Divine remedy; Elohim heals spiritual wrongdoing (iniquity) and physical brokenness (diseases).

Verse 4: Rescue and coronation; life is pulled back from destruction and wrapped in tender love.

Verse 5: Sustained vitality; life is filled with goodness so that vigour is restored like an eagle's.

Verses 6-9: Justice and Covenant Character.

Verse 6: Social equity; Elohim stands up for those who suffer and face oppression.

Verse 7: Historical revelation; Elohim showed His ways to Moses and His acts to Israel.

Verse 8: The 13 attributes echoed; Elohim is full of compassion, gracious, patient, and rich in mercy.

Verse 9: Restraint in judgment; Elohim does not nurse perpetual grievances or contend forever.

Verses 10-14: The Measure of Divine Compassion.

Verse 10: Grace over punishment; we are not treated according to our misdeeds.

Verse 11: Infinite height; Elohim’s steadfast love towers over those who revere Him.

Verse 12: Complete removal; sins are cast as far apart as the east is from the west.

Verse 13: Paternal pity; Elohim feels tender compassion for those who honor Him.

Verse 14: Human frailty; Elohim remembers our physical makeup and that we are merely dust.

Verses 15-19: The Fleeting Human and the Eternal King.

Verse 15: Grass and flower; human life blooms quickly and fades just as fast.

Verse 16: The passing wind; once the wind blows over the flower, its place forgets it.

Verse 17: Everlasting grace; Elohim’s kindness stretches endlessly to those who keep His covenant.

Verse 18: Generational loyalty; righteousness remains with those who remember His commandments.

Verse 19: Universal throne; Elohim establishes His sovereign rule over the entire universe.

Verses 20-22: The Cosmic Chorus.

Verse 20: Angelic praise; mighty heavenly messengers are called to obey and bless Elohim.

Verse 21: Heavenly hosts; all ministering angels who perform His will join the song.

Verse 22: Total creation; everything in Elohim’s dominion, and the speaker’s own soul concludes in praise.

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My Closing Message:

Psalm 103 teaches us that gratitude is the antidote to despair. By remembering Elohim’s daily benefits rather than our ‘frailties’, our ‘souls find renewal’, aligning our short days on earth with the eternal harmony of the heavens.

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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...

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

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“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- יְהוָהthe 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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