Psalm 142
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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.
Foreword:
Psalm 142 is a short, urgent cave prayer of David that pours out complaint, names isolation, and ends in a plea for rescue and vindication;
Introduction:
Psalm 142 is a Maskil of
David, a didactic poem intended to impart wisdom and insight. It was composed
while David was “in the cave”, likely fleeing from King Saul, either at Adullam or En-Gedi. This Psalm is
a profound “prayer of the trapped”, moving from a state of total isolation and
overwhelming distress to a declaration of absolute trust in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) as the only true refuge.
Let us now read Tehillim -Psalms Chapter 142: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).
1. Maschil of
David, when he was in the cave; a Prayer.
2. With my voice I cry unto יְהוָה - the LORD; with my voice I make
supplication unto יְהוָה - the LORD.
3. I pour out my complaint before Him, I declare
before Him my trouble;
4. When my spirit fainteth
within me, Thou knowest my path in the way wherein I
walk have they hidden a snare for me.
5. Look on my right hand, and see, for there is no
man that knoweth me; I have no way to flee; no man careth for my soul.
6. I have cried unto Thee, O יְהוָה - LORD; I have said: 'Thou art my refuge,
my portion in the land of the living.'
7. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low;
deliver me from my persecutors; for they are too strong for me.
8. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may give
thanks unto Thy Name; the righteous shall crown themselves
because of me; for Thou wilt deal bountifully with me.
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Let us now look at the
‘verse by verse’ complete with Explanations:
Verse 1. “Maschil of David, when he was in the cave; a Prayer”.
Explanation: The superscription situates the Psalm in a moment of hiding and danger; expect intimacy and urgency in the voice.
Verse 2. “With my voice I cry unto יְהוָה - the LORD; With my voice I make supplication unto יְהוָה - the LORD”.
Explanation: Repetition emphasizes intensity, prayer is not casual but a loud, repeated appeal.
Verse 3. “I pour out my complaint before Him, I declare before Him my trouble;”
Explanation: The Psalmist treats אֱלֹהִים - Elohim as the proper audience for unvarnished grief, confession and complaint are offered openly.
Verse 4. “When my spirit fainteth within me Thou knowest my path. In the way wherein I walk Have they hidden a snare for me”.
Explanation: He names both inner collapse and external treachery; אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s knowledge of his path is asserted even amid entrapment.
Verse 5. “Look on my right hand, and see, For there is no man that knoweth me; I have no way to flee; No man careth for my soul”.
Explanation: The Psalmist describes total abandonment, no ally, no escape, no one who cares, heightening the plea’s urgency.
Verse 6. “I have cried unto Thee, O יְהוָה - LORD; I have said: ‘Thou art my refuge, My portion in the land of the living’”.
Explanation: He Names אֱלֹהִים - Elohim as refuge and portion an affirmation of trust that reframes his vulnerability.
Verse 7. “Attend unto my cry; For I am brought very low; Deliver me from my persecutors; For they are too strong for me”.
Explanation: The petition is specific: attentive hearing and rescue from overpowering pursuers.
Verse 8. “Bring my soul out of prison, That I may give thanks unto Thy Name; The righteous shall crown themselves because of me; For Thou wilt deal bountifully with me”.
Explanation: The Psalm closes with ‘hope’: ‘deliverance’ will produce ‘thanksgiving’ and ‘vindication’; the righteous will share in his restoration.
My Closing message:
Psalm 142 models raw honesty before אֱלֹהִים - Elohim: name the danger, state the isolation, and then place hope in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim as the refuge. Know that prayer can be both a ‘complaint’ or a ‘confession’, and that declaring whatever is required at that time, it can be the turning point from ‘despair’ to ‘hope’!
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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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For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,
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May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with
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שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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