Psalm-11
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Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of Thy Law!
Tehillim - Psalm 119:18..
(JPS-1917 version
of the Tanakh).
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”.
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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.
However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago have shamefully disobeyed this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction
to Psalm 11:
In this Psalm, David finds himself in a moment of profound testing. While those around him succumb to fear, suggesting he flee from the “archers” of the wicked, David remains steadfast. This Psalm serves as a foundational teaching on ‘Bitachon’ (trust). It reminds us all that the blessed Word of יְהוָה - the LORD, and learn that even though when the foundations of the world appear shaken, the Almighty remains in His Holy Temple, observing the hearts of all men with perfect justice.
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Tehillim
- Psalms Chapter 11: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh.
1. “For the Leader. (A Psalm)
of David.
In יְהוָה -
the LORD have I taken refuge; how say ye to my soul:
‘Flee thou to your mountain, ye birds’?
2. For, lo, the wicked bend the bow, they have made ready their arrow upon the string,
that they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.
3. When the foundations are destroyed, what
hath the righteous wrought?
4. “יְהוָה
- the LORD is in His holy temple, יְהוָה - the
LORD, His throne is in heaven;
His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men.
5. יְהוָה - the LORD trieth the righteous; but the wicked and him that loveth violence His soul hateth.
6. Upon the wicked He will cause to rain
coals; fire and brimstone and burning wind shall be the portion of their cup.
7. For יְהוָה
- the LORD is righteous, He loveth righteousness; the upright shall behold His face”.
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Psalm
11: “verse by verse” with commentary:
Verse 1: “For the Leader. “A Psalm) of David. In יְהוָה - the LORD put I my trust; how say ye to my soul: ‘Flee thou to your mountain, ye birds?’”
David begins with a declaration of refuge in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. He rebukes those who, out of fear, suggest he flee to the mountains like a helpless bird. He teaches us that while the physical world suggests retreat, the soul rooted in faith stands firm.
Verse 2: “For, lo, the wicked bend the bow, they have fitted their arrow to the string, that they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart”.
The “darkness” mentioned here represents the hidden, unexpected nature of trials. The wicked do not always attack openly; they wait for moments of vulnerability. Yet, even when the “arrow” is aimed at the upright, the focus remains on the integrity of the heart.
Verse 3: “When the foundations are destroyed, what hath the righteous wrought?”.
This verse addresses the collapse of social and moral order. When it seems that justice has failed and the very structures of life are crumbling, the question is asked: What has the righteous person accomplished? The answer is found in their enduring faithfulness, which outlasts the crumbling structures.
Verse 4: “יְהוָה - the LORD is in His Holy temple, יְהוָה - the LORD, His throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men”.
When the earth is in chaos, David directs our gaze upward. יְהוָה - the LORD is not absent; He is on His throne in Heaven”. The metaphor of the “eyelids” is profound, it suggests a squinting or a close, scrutinizing gaze”. He is carefully testing and observing the inner motives of every human being.
Verse 5: “ יְהוָה- the LORD trieth the righteous; but the wicked and him that loveth violence His soul hateth”.
The trials you may endure, are seen here as a “trying” of the righteous. Just as gold is purified in the furnace, the righteous are tested to reveal their strength. Conversely, those who embrace violence are fundamentally distanced from the Divine.
Verse 6: “Upon the wicked He shall cause to rain coals; fire and brimstone and burning wind shall be the portion of their cup”.
This verse echoes the judgment of Sodom. It serves as a reminder of ultimate accountability. No matter how much the wicked seem to prosper in the "darkness" of Verse 2, their ultimate “portion” is set by Divine justice.
Verse 7: “For יְהוָה - the LORD is righteous, He loveth righteousness; the upright shall behold His face”.
The Psalm concludes with a beautiful promise of intimacy with the Creator. Because יְהוָה - the LORD is righteous, He finds delight in those who reflect His attributes. To “behold His face” is the highest spiritual reward, a clarity of connection that transcends physical sight and physical suffering.
My
Closing Message:
As we read all these words above, may you feel the strength of Verse 4 that the Almighty is watching over you with a gaze of deep love and purpose. May the “Righteous יְהוָה - LORD” grant you all שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem and a meaningful and a blessed Shabbas’ for those that are about to follow.
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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 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. (JPS).
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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