Psalm-119-Introduction
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Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I may use any of the
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Colour coded details of our
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1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books -
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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”.
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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).
However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago and of today have, and are shamefully disobeying 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.
Foreword on
the remarkable Psalm 119:
(JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).
Psalm 119 has a remarkably total of twenty two stanzas, with each
stanza corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and each stanza has
eight verses, beginning with the name of the letter א - ‘Aleph’ to ת - ‘Tav’, making it a complex alphabetic acrostic poem.
Introduction to the Series re Psalm 119:
Psalm 119 is an acrostic hymn of devotion, built based on the Hebrew alphabet. Each of its 22 stanzas begins with a successive letter (א - ‘Aleph’ to ת - ‘Tav’) and gathers eight short verses around a single letter. The Psalm is not just to praise the Torah, but it is also a spiritual biography: it traces a soul’s dependence on אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s word through ‘temptation’, ‘suffering’, ‘joy’, ‘teaching’, and ‘witness’. For listeners with limited sight, this series will emphasize clear, short readings, repeated refrains, and meditative pauses so the words can be ‘heard’, ‘absorbed’, and ‘prayed back.
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The Architecture of Psalm 119:
Structure: The 22 stanzas (is also called ‘strophes’ or ‘sections’), and each stanza has precisely 8 verses.
Acrostic Pattern: Each stanza uses the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet (Aleph, Beth, Gimel to Tav, etc.) for the first word of each verse.
What is the theme?: The entire Psalm focuses on the ‘beauty’, ‘value’, and ‘guidance of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim’s Word. בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ - ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’
Below is a full list of the 22 stanzas: Thus take a look at the entire Tehillim -
Psalm 119, from stanza א
- ‘Aleph’.
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Stanza Overview (א - ‘Aleph’ to ת - ‘Tav’):
1. Aleph (א) - The Ox (Strength
& Leadership):
Verses 1-8: Brief Story: This stanza sets the stage, declaring the “blessedness” of those who walk and live in our blessed Torah. Just as the Ox represents strength and the “First Cause”, the Psalmist establishes that the foundation of a meaningful life is rooted in the Word.
2. Beth (ב) - The House (Sanctuary
& Interior):
Verses 9-16: Brief Story: Focuses on internalizing the Word. “How can a young man keep his way pure?”. The Beth (House) suggests making the heart a dwelling place for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s statutes.
3. Gimel (ג) - The Camel (Journey & Provision):
Verses: 17-24: Brief Story: Represents the pilgrim’s journey. The Psalmist asks to be dealt with “bountifully” so he may live. ‘Gimel’ is often seen as a benefactor running to help the poor, mirroring אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s grace to His servant.
4. Daleth (ד) - The
Door (Humility & Access):
Verses: 25-32: Brief Story: The soul “cleaves to
the dust”. It is a story of desperation and the need for אֱלֹהִים to
open the Door to understanding and revival.
5. He (ה) - The Window (Revelation
& Breath):
Verses: 33-40 - Brief Story: A prayer for teaching. "Teach me, O יְהוָה - LORD, the way of Your statutes". It represents spiritual sight, opening the Window of the mind to let in Divine light.
6. Waw/Vav (ו) – The Hook/Nail (Connection & Stability):
Verses: 41-48 - Brief Story: This
section highlights the connection between receiving אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s “mercies” and having the “answer” for those who
taunt. Vav acts as a hook, binding the believer’s life
to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s truth.
7. Zayin (ז) - The Sword/Weapon (Vigilance & Memory):
Verses: 49-56 - Brief Story: “Remember Your word to Your servant”. It tells of finding comfort in the Word even when “the proud have me in derision”.
8. Heth (ח) - The Fence/Chamber (Protection & Intimacy):
Verses: 57-64 - Brief Story: “יְהוָה - the LORD is my portion”. The Heth represents a sanctuary or protected area where the soul finds security.
9. Teth (ט) - The Basket/Goodness (Testing & Maturity):
Verses: 65-72 - Brief Story: Unique because five verses begin with the word Tov (Good). It tells the story of how “it was good for me that I was afflicted”, leading to deeper wisdom.
10. Yod (י) - The Hand (Creativity & Work):
Verses: 73-80 - Brief Story: “Your hands have made and fashioned me”. It is the story of the Creator’s touch on the individual life.
11. Kaph (כ) - The Palm (Weariness
& Longing):
Verses: 81-88 - Brief Story: The soul “faints for Your salvation”. The open Palm signifies a beggar’s plea for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s sustaining power in times of persecution.
12. Lamedh (ל) - The Ox Goad (Instruction & Authority):
Verses: 89-96 - Brief Story: Declares the eternal nature of the Word: “Forever, O יְהוָה - LORD, Your Word is settled in heaven”. Lamedh represents the teacher’s staff that directs the path.
13. Mem (מ) - The Water (Wisdom
& Flow):
Verses: 97-104 - Brief Story: “O how I love Your law!”. Like Water, the Torah is presented as a source of life and endless refreshment for the wise.
14. Nun (נ) - The Fish (Continuity
& Life):
Verses: 105-112 - Brief Story: Features the famous verse: “Your word is a lamp to my feet”. It tells of navigating the darkness of life using the constant light of the Word.
15. Samekh (ס) - The Prop/Support (Reliability):
Verses: 113-120 - Brief Story: Focuses on hating double-mindedness. The Psalmist leans on אֱלֹהִים as his “hiding place and shield”.
16. Ayin (ע) - The Eye (Insight
& Justice):
Verses: 121-128 - Brief Story: A plea for justice against oppressors. The Ayin (Eye) represents אֱלֹהִים seeing the servant’s plight and the servant seeing the "wondrous things" in the law.
17. Pe (פ) - The Mouth (Expression
& Breath):
Verses: 129-136 - Brief Story: “The entrance of Your words gives light”. It emphasizes the oral tradition and the physical act of “panting” for אֱלֹהִים- Elohim’s commandments.
18. Tsadhe (צ) - The Fishhook/Righteousness (Suffering & Integrity):
Verses: 137-144 - Brief Story: Proclaims that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s testimonies are “righteous”. Even when “trouble and anguish” take hold, the delight in the Word remains.
19. Qoph (ק) - The Back of the Head/Horizon (Presence & Persistence):
Verses: 145-152 - Brief Story: The story of early morning prayer: “I prevent [anticipate] the dawning of the morning”. It is about persistent seeking.
20. Resh (ר) - The Head (Renewal
& Transformation):
Verses: 153-160 - Brief Story: A cry for revival: “Consider my affliction and deliver me”. It speaks to the “head” or the beginning of life-giving truth.
21. Shin (ש) - The Teeth/Fire (Awe & Consuming Passion):
Verses: 161–168 - Brief Story: “Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your word”. It represents the burning zeal for truth.
22. Tav (ת) - The Mark/Sign (Completion & Covenant):
Verses: 169-176 - Brief Story: The final plea. It ends with the humble admission: “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant”. It completes the “A to Z” journey from the strength of the Ox (Aleph) to the humble Sign of the covenant (Tav).
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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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