Psalm-138-Special
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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 (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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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction to Psalm 138:
Psalm 138 (Mizmor Le’David) opens a powerful collection of eight final Psalms explicitly attributed to King David before the grand hallelujah conclusions of the Psalter. This Psalm serves as a profound paradigm shift: it transitions from ‘individual’, to ‘deeply personal gratitude’ to a ‘global proclamation of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s sovereignty.
Verses 1-3: Personal, wholehearted gratitude expressed directly to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim the face of spiritual rivals.
Verses 4-6: A universal prophetic vision where the absolute rulers of the physical world (the kings of the earth) submit to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s Word.
Verses 7-8: A realistic, grounded acknowledgment of human vulnerability, paired with absolute confidence in divine completion.
Thematic keys include Chesed (lovingkindness), Emet (truth/faithfulness), and the striking spiritual paradox that the transcendent יְהוָה - LORD of the universe focuses His gaze primarily upon the humble and the lowly.
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Let
us first read Tehillim - Psalms 138: It is shown below in Ivrit - Hebrew. The English
verse (translation) is shown atop of each ‘Verse-by-Verse’ description.
Please
Note: I always use the
JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh.
לְדָוִד:
אוֹדְךָ
בְכָל-לִבִּי;
נֶגֶד אֱלֹהִים
אֲזַמְּרֶךָּ 1
אֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶה
אֶל-הֵיכַל
קָדְשְׁךָ,
וְאוֹדֶה
אֶת-שְׁמֶךָ 2
עַל-חַסְדְּךָ
וְעַל-אֲמִתֶּךָ
כִּי-הִגְדַּלְתָּ
עַל-כָּל-שִׁמְךָ,
אִמְרָתֶךָ
בְּיוֹם
קָרָאתִי,
וַתַּעֲנֵנִי;
תַּרְהִבֵנִי
בְנַפְשִׁי
עֹז 3
יוֹדוּךָ
יְהוָה,
כָּל-מַלְכֵי-אָרֶץ:
כִּי שָׁמְעוּ,
אִמְרֵי-פִיךָ 4
וְיָשִׁירוּ,
בְּדַרְכֵי
יְהוָה:
כִּי-גָדוֹל,
כְּבוֹד
יְהוָה 5
כִּי-רָם
יְהוָה,
וְשָׁפָל
יִרְאֶה; וְגָבֹהַּ,
מִמֶּרְחָק
יְיֵדָע 6
אִם-אֵלֵךְ,
בְּקֶרֶב
צָרָה-
תְּחַיֵּנִי 7
עַל אַף
אֹיְבַי,
תִּשְׁלַח
יָדֶךָ;
וְתוֹשִׁיעֵנִי
יְמִינֶךָ
יְהוָה,
יִגְמֹר
בַּעֲדִי:
יְהוָה,
חַסְדְּךָ
לְעוֹלָם;
מַעֲשֵׂי
יָדֶיךָ
אַל-תֶּרֶף 8
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Let us now look at the Verse-by-Verse Explanation:
Verse
1: “(A Psalm) of David. I will give
Thee thanks with my whole heart, in the presence of the mighty will I sing
praises unto Thee”.
Explanation: David’s opening sets a powerful tone of fearless, public testimony. By vowing to praise אֱלֹהִים - Elohim “in the presence of the mighty” (Neged Elohim) in the Hebrew text, which classical Hebrew translators often interpreted as earthly rulers, judges, or potentates), David asserts that no human power or earthly dignity outshines the Almighty. He stands before the grandest, most intimidating figures of the world with a “whole heart” completely unified in his devotion, entirely unawed by human majesty because his eyes are fixed on the Divine.
Verse 2: “I will bow down toward Thy Holy Temple, and give thanks unto Thy Name for Thy mercy and for Thy truth; for Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name”.
Explanation: The JPS 1917 beautifully highlights “mercy” (Chesed) and “truth” (Emet). Mercy is אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s unbound compassion; truth is His unwavering reliability. The climax of this verse contains a monumental theological principle: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim has magnified His “Word” above all His Name. This means that while אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s Name represents His vast, unfathomable essence, His Word represents His promises and covenants made to humanity. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim chooses to bind His own reputation to the keeping of His promises. If He spoke it, it is absolute law.
Verse 3: “In the day that I called, Thou didst answer me; Thou didst encourage me in my soul with strength”.
Explanation: The phrase “Thou didst encourage me in my soul with strength” captures a profound internal miracle. David does not say his external enemies vanished the moment he prayed. Instead, the answer to his prayer was an infusion of spiritual stamina. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim “emboldened” or “enlarged” his inner being, granting him the psychological resilience to stand firm. True Divine encouragement is often felt as an inner fortitude that keeps the soul steady during an external storm.
Verse 4: “All the kings of the earth shall give Thee thanks, O יְהוָה - LORD, for they have heard the Words of Thy mouth”.
Explanation: The perspective shifts from David’s private room to a global stage. The “kings of the earth” the very rulers who usually demand tribute and praise for themselves will willingly turn and give thanks to יְהוָה - the LORD. What causes this monumental shift? It is the sheer impact of hearing “the Words of Thy mouth”. When the nations witness the fulfillment of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s decrees and the sublime justice of His law, even the most prideful monarchs are humbled.
Verse 5: “Yea, they shall sing of the ways of יְהוָה - the LORD; for great is the Glory of יְהוָה - the LORD”.
Explanation: These earthly rulers do not submit to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim out of fear or begrudging duty; they “sing of the ways of יְהוָה - the LORD”. They actively rejoice in how אֱלֹהִים - Elohim governs not through tyranny or oppression, but through righteousness and equity. The true “כְּבוֹד יְהוָה - Glory of the LORD” is revealed to be so vast that it “completely eclipses the temporal”, ‘fragile glory’ of any human kingdom.
Verse 6: “For though יְהוָה - the LORD be high, yet regardeth He the ‘lowly’, and the ‘haughty’ He knoweth from afar”.
Explanation: This verse outlines the beautiful paradox of Hebraic theology. יְהוָה - the LORD is infinitely exalted (“high”), yet His gaze does not seek out the grand or the powerful; He specifically “regardeth the ‘lowly’” the “humble”, the “broken”, and “the modest”. Conversely, the “‘haughty’” (the arrogant who rely solely on their own wealth or status) are kept at a distance. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim “knows them from afar”, meaning their own pride creates a spiritual barrier that blocks intimacy with the Divine.
Verse 7: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou quickenest me; Thou stretchest forth Thy hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand doth save me”.
Explanation: The JPS uses the powerful archaic word “quickenest me” (from the Old English meaning alive). To be quickened means to be dynamically re-energized, revived, and brought back to vibrant life right when you feel spiritually or physically exhausted. David acknowledges that faith does not prevent us from walking “in the midst of trouble”, but it guarantees that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim will breathe life back into us while we are there, shielding us with His authoritative “right hand”.
Verse 8: “יְהוָה - the LORD will accomplish that which concerneth me; Thy mercy, O יְהוָה - LORD, endureth for ever; forsake not the work of Thine own hands”.
Explanation: The Psalm closes with absolute confidence: יְהוָה - the LORD “will accomplish that which concerneth me”. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is not an architect who leaves a project half-finished. Whatever purpose or destiny He has spoken over your life, He will have brought it to its ultimate completion. Grounded in the truth that His “mercy ... endureth for ever”, David closes with the humble plea to never be ‘abandoned’, recognizing that we are all, ultimately, the fragile work of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s own creative hands.
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My Closing Message:
Reading through the precise JPS 1917 lens beautifully it highlights the journey of the soul from “vulnerability” to total “vindication”. It reminds us that when we feel small or surrounded by “trouble”, we are never out of the sight of the One who “regardeth the lowly”. He promises to quicken us to pour fresh life into our weary hearts and to perfectly accomplish everything יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - the LORD our Eloheinu has already set out what He will do for us!
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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...
“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!
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