Psalm-146
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Tanakh versions:
Throughout this
site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).
Colour coded details of the - 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, 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.
Introduction to Tehillim - Psalm 146:
This Psalm has the first of five הַלְלוּ-יָהּ - ‘Hallelu’Yah’ Psalms that concludes the Book of Tehillim - Psalms. It is a powerful declaration of trust, emphasizing that while human strength is temporary, אֱלֹהִים- Elohim’s (God) support is eternal. This Psalm illustrates that true happiness comes from relying on a Creator who remains faithful through every generation!
As per usual we will look at the “verse
by verse” and then receive a further explanation on same.
Let us now read this remarkable Psalm 146: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).
1. “הַלְלוּ-יָהּ –
Hallelu’Yah.
Praise יְהוָה - the LORD, O my soul.
2. I will praise יְהוָה - the LORD while I live; I will sing praises unto my
God while I have my being.
3. Put not your trust in
princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no
help.
4. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his
dust; in that very day his thoughts perish.
5. Happy is he whose help
is the אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of Jacob, whose hope is in יְהוָה - the LORD his אֱלֹהִים - Elohim,
6. Who made heaven and
earth, the sea, and all that in them is;
who keepeth truth for ever;
7. Who executeth
justice for the oppressed; who giveth bread to the hungry.
יְהוָה - the LORD looseth the
prisoners;
8. יְהוָה -
the LORD openeth the eyes of the blind; יְהוָה - the LORD raiseth
up them that are bowed down; יְהוָה - the LORD loveth the
righteous;
9. יְהוָה -
the LORD preserveth the strangers; He upholdeth the fatherless and the widow; but the way of the
wicked He maketh crooked.
10. יְהוָה -
the LORD will reign for ever, thy אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, O Zion, unto all generations.
Hallelu’Yah”.
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Now,
we come once again to the interesting “verse by verse” section, and we will
learn more regardig this wonderful Psalm!
Verse 1: “Hallelu’Yah. Praise יְהוָה - the LORD, O my soul”.
The Psalmist addresses his own inner self.
This reminds us that praise is a conscious choice we make within our souls,
even when the body is weak.
Verse 2: “I will praise יְהוָה - the LORD while I live; I will sing
praises unto my אֱלֹהִים - Elohim while I have my being”.
This is a lifelong commitment, if you are living this verse right now, praising His blessed Name.
Verse 3: “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help”.
A vital lesson for Hebrews and our leaders when their physical strength is limited. For they cannot offer the ultimate ‘help’ that the soul requires. Only our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim can do that!
Verse 4: “His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his dust; in that very day his thoughts perish”.
This highlights the fragility of life. Unlike humans, whose plans end with their last breath, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s purposes are never-ending.
Verse 5: “Happy is he whose help is the אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of Jacob, whose hope is in יְהוָה - the LORD his אֱלֹהִים!.
The word ‘Happy’ (Ashrei) implies a deep, spiritual contentment. It is a state of being for those who anchor their hope in the Divine.
Verse 6: “Who made heaven and earth, the sea... who keepeth truth for ever”.
The אֱלֹהִים - Elohim we trust is not just a protector, but the Creator of the entire universe. His ‘truth’ or ‘faithfulness’ is the most stable thing in existence.
Verse 7: “Who executeth justice for the oppressed; who giveth bread to the hungry. יְהוָה - the LORD looseth the prisoners”.
אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is shown as an active helper for those in need. Whether the hunger is ‘physical’ or ‘spiritual’.
Verse 8: “יְהוָה - the LORD openeth the eyes of the blind; יְהוָה - the LORD raiseth up them that are bowed down...”
This is a verse of profound personal comfort. Though your physical eyes are dim, יְהוָה - the LORD grants spiritual sight. When illness "bows us down," He is the one who lifts our spirits.
Verse 9: “יְהוָה - the LORD preserveth the strangers; He upholdeth the fatherless and the widow...”
אֱלֹהִים - Elohim acts as a guardian for those who are vulnerable or alone in society, ensuring they are not forgotten.
Verse 10: “יְהוָה - the LORD will reign forever... Hallelu’Yah”.
This Tehillim - Psalm concludes
by returning to the eternal nature of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s kingdom. While
people come and go, His sovereignty remains ‘unto all generations”.
My Closing Message:
In your role as a Tanakh teacher, this
Tehillim - Psalm should be our banner. What we have also discovered that even
when we are ‘down’ (Verse 8), our ‘being’ (Verse 2) is still a vessel for praise.
May all my readers feel the love יְהוָה
- the LORD continues to ‘uphold’ you today, and forever
more, and may His blessed ‘truth’ be the light that guides your life in our
beloved אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim!
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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 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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