Psalm-138
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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 two truth’s from our
beloved Scriptures!
“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.
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
An introduction to Psalm 138:
Psalm 138
marks the beginning of a final group of Davidic Psalms. It is a hymn of profound
gratitude, written by one who has known both great heights and deep ‘trouble’.
For us this Psalm serves as a reminder that the "whole heart" (v. 1)
does not require a perfect body to offer perfect praise. It explores the
beautiful paradox of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s loving nature: though He is
transcendent and ‘high’. His gaze is fixed specifically upon the ‘lowly’. This
Psalm assures us that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is not only the Architect of the universe but also the personal
Guardian of our individual lives!
Let us now commence reading the excellent
Tehillim - Psalm 138. (Using the
JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).
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.
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.
3. In the day that I called, Thou
didst answer me; Thou didst encourage me in my soul with strength.
4. All the kings of the earth
shall give Thee thanks, O יְהוָה
- LORD, for they have heard the words of Thy mouth.
5. Yea, they shall sing of the
ways of יְהוָה
- the LORD; for great
is the glory of יְהוָה
- the LORD.
6. For though יְהוָה
- the LORD be high, yet
regardeth He the lowly, and the haughty He knoweth
from afar.
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.
8 He יְהוָה
- LORD will accomplish
that which concerneth me; Thy mercy, O יְהוָה
- LORD, endureth for ever; forsake not the work of Thine own hands.
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Let us now look at the helpful ‘Verse by Verse’ item below, with explanations!
Verse 1.
I will give Thee thanks with my whole heart, in the presence of the mighty will I sing praises unto Thee.
David begins
with ‘wholeheartedness’. Even in the presence of ‘the Almighty’, for his focus is singular. To give thanks
with a whole heart means to leave no room for doubt or fear; it is a total
immersion in gratitude.
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.
Though David
may be far from the Temple, he orients his soul toward it. He highlights two
attributes: ‘Chesed’ (Mercy/Lovingkindness)
and ‘Emet’ (Truth). The phrase ‘magnified Thy word above all Thy Name’ suggests that אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim’s promises
(His word) are the highest expression of His character; He is a אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim who keeps His
word.
Verse 3.
In the day that I called, Thou didst answer me; Thou didst encourage me in my soul with strength.
This is a
verse of direct experience. Notice that the answer David received was not
necessarily a change in circumstance, but an internal shift. אֱלֹהִים
‘encouraged him in his soul’.
Verse 4.
All the kings of the earth shall give Thee thanks, O יְהוָה - LORD, for they have heard the words of Thy mouth.
David
envisions a day when the truth of אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim’s word is so
evident that even the most powerful monarchs must acknowledge it. It suggests
that the ‘words of Thy mouth’ carry a weight that surpasses all human
decree.
Verse 5.
Yea, they shall sing of the ways of יְהוָה - the LORD; for great is the glory of יְהוָה - the LORD.
The ‘ways of יְהוָה
- the LORD’ are His methods of justice, mercy, and providence. The glory of אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim is not found
in His distance, but in the perfection of His paths and how He conducts the
world.
Verse
6.
For though יְהוָה -
the LORD be high, yet regardeth He the lowly, and the
haughty He knoweth from afar.
This is the heart of the Psalm. אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim’s greatness
does not make Him aloof. While He keeps the ‘haughty’ at a distance, He is
intimately "regarding" (looking closely at) the lowly. In the Hebrew
sense, to ‘regard’ is to provide care and attention.
Verse 7.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou quickens me; Thou stretches forth Thy hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand doth save me.
The word ‘quickenest’ (from the Hebrew chayah) means
to revive or give life. David acknowledges that trouble is present, but אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim’s hand is more
present. The ‘right hand’ symbolizes אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim’s active,
saving power reaching into the ‘midst’ of the struggle.
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”.
This concludes
with a statement of absolute trust. David believes אֱלֹהִים
will complete his life’s purpose (‘accomplish that which concerneth
me’). He ends with a humble plea: since אֱלֹהִים
created him (the ‘work of Thine own hands’), David trusts אֱלֹהִים
will not abandon him.
My Closing Message:
If you take a
rest today, why not let the words of the final verse settle over you: “יְהוָה - the LORD will accomplish that which concerneth me”. This suggests that you do not
have to carry the burdens of your own care, or your own legacy; אֱלֹהִים is the one who brings your life to being a worthy Hebrew.
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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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