Psalm-141
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Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold
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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:
Psalm 141 is a Davidic supplication that links prayer as incense, the discipline of speech, and a plea for protection from wicked men and corrupt influence. The psalm is compact and practical, useful for lessons on speech ethics and dependence on אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God).
Let us now read
Tehillim - Psalms Chapter 141: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).
1. A Psalm of
David.
יְהוָה - LORD,
I have called Thee; make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I call
unto Thee.
2. Let my prayer be set forth
as incense before Thee, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
3. Set a guard, O יְהוָה - LORD,
to my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.
4. Incline not my heart to
any evil thing, to be occupied in deeds of wickedness with men that work
iniquity; and let me not eat of their dainties.
5. Let the righteous smite me
in kindness, and correct me; oil so choice let not my head refuse; for
still is my prayer because of their wickedness.
6. Their judges are thrown
down by the sides of the rock; and they shall hear my words, that they are
sweet.
7. As when one cleaveth and breaketh up the
earth, our bones are scattered at the grave's mouth.
8. For mine eyes are unto
Thee, O יְהוִה
אֲדֹנָי - Elohim the LORD; in Thee have I taken
refuge, O pour not out my soul.
9. Keep me from the snare
which they have laid for me, and from the gins of the workers of iniquity.
10. Let the wicked fall into
their own nets, whilst I withal escape.
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Let us now look at the‘verse by verse’ with explanations:
Verse 1. “A Psalm of David. יְהוָה - LORD, I have called Thee; make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I call unto Thee”.
Explanation: Opens with urgent invocation, prayer is immediate and personal.
Verse 2. “Let my prayer be set forth as incense before Thee, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice”.
Explanation: Prayer is likened to sacrificial worship; posture and timing (evening) frame devotion.
Verse 3. “Set a guard, O יְהוָה - LORD, to my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips”.
Explanation: A request for divine help to restrain speech, imagery of sentries guarding an entrance.
Verse 4. “Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to be occupied in deeds of wickedness with men that work iniquity; and let me not eat of their dainties”.
Explanation: The Psalmist asks to be kept from companionship that leads to sin and from accepting its temptations.
Verse 5. “Let the righteous smite me in kindness, and correct me; oil so choice let not my head refuse; for still is my prayer because of their wickedness”.
Explanation: Welcomes loving rebuke as healing (oil) while continuing to pray over the presence of wickedness.
Verse 6. “Their judges are thrown down by the sides of the rock; and they shall hear my words, that they are sweet”.
Explanation: A confident image that truth will prevail and that the Psalmist’s words will be vindicated.
Verse 7. “As when one cleaveth and breaketh up the earth, our bones are scattered at the grave’s mouth”.
Explanation: A stark metaphor for sudden ruin; the psalmist contrasts human fragility with the need for Divine steadiness.
Verse 8. “For mine eyes are unto Thee, O אֱלֹהִים- Elohim the Lord; in Thee have I taken refuge, O pour not out my soul”.
Explanation: Reaffirms trust in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim as refuge and pleads that life not be abandoned to enemies.
Verse 9. “Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and from the gins of the workers of iniquity”.
Explanation: Returns to the theme of protection from plotted ambushes, both moral and physical.
Verse 10. “Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst I pass by safely”.
Explanation: A closing petition for poetic justice: let the snares rebound on their makers while the petitioner is preserved.
My Closing message:
Psalm 141 teaches a practical spirituality: why not make a prayer an offering, ask to guard your speech, refuse corrupt company, and trust אֱלֹהִים - Elohim to protect and vindicate you. Use the psalm to train students in disciplined speech and dependence on אֱלֹהִים - Elohim rather than on human defences.
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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...
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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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שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens,
PhD.
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