Psalm-20

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Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh1.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. (JPS-1917).

Remember we are Never Alone!

Davarim - Deuteronomy Chapter 31, verse 6.

JPS-1917 version of the Torah.

חִזְקוּ וְאִמְצוּ, אַל-תִּירְאוּ וְאַל-תַּעַרְצוּ מִפְּנֵיהֶם: כִּי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, הוּא הַהֹלֵךְ עִמָּךְ-לֹא יַרְפְּךָ, וְלֹא יַעַזְבֶךָּ

Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be affrighted at them; for יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Eloheycha (God), He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee’”.

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 “Tehillim - Psalm 20

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction:

1. The Psalms are more or less the prayer book and songs of the Tanakh, giving ‘voice to praise’, ‘lament’, ‘thanksgiving’, and ‘trust’. This Psalm invites us to name our longings before אֱלֹהִים - Elohim and to hear אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s faithful presence in the midst of ‘life’s joys’ and its ‘trials’. As you read, notice the movement from ‘human feeling’s’ to ‘trust in אֱלֹהִים’, and join the refrain as a communal response to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s word!

2. This Psalm invites us and community alike to place confidence in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s saving power, to bring sacrificial devotion from the sanctuary, and to celebrate victory as a communal blessing. Whenever you read this Psalm aloud, You may feel both the petition and the sure hope that אֱלֹהִים answers us from heaven.

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Let us now read Tehillim - Psalm 20: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. “For the Leader. A Psalm of David.

2. יְהוָה - the LORD answer thee in the day of trouble; the name of the אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) of Jacob set thee up on high;

3. Send forth thy help from the sanctuary, and support thee out of Zion;

4. Receive the memorial of all thy meal-offerings, and accept the fat of thy burnt-sacrifice; Selah.

5. Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.

6. We will shout for joy in thy victory, and in the name of our אֱלֹהִים we will set up our standards; יְהוָה - the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.

7. Now know I that יְהוָה - the LORD saveth His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the mighty acts of His saving right hand.

8. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will make mention of the name of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - the LORD our Elohim.

9. They are bowed down and fallen; but we are risen, and stand upright.

10. Save, יְהוָה - LORD; let the King answer us in the day that we call”.

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Let us now look at the ‘verse by verse’ section, which provides more information:

Verse 1.

A communal petition: May אֱלֹהִים - Elohim answer the king when trouble comes. “The name of the אֱלֹהִים of Jacob set thee up on high” and affirms that the king’s authority and protection come from אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s reputation and His covenant with Israel.

Verse 2.

A request for Divine reinforcement sent from the sanctuary (the place of God’s presence) and support coming from Zion (Jerusalem), the spiritual and political center.

Verse 3.

The people ask that אֱלֹהִים accept the king’s offerings, both the memorial portion of grain offerings and the rich portion of burnt offerings, signs that worship accompanies the petition. Selah marks a pause for reflection or liturgical response.

Verse 4.

A prayer that אֱלֹהִים grant the king’s deepest desires and bring to completion the plans he has made, implying that righteous counsel and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s will align.

Verse 5.

Communal vow of celebration: the community will rejoice in the king’s victory and publicly display their standards (banners) in God’s name; they ask God to grant all the king’s petitions.

Verse 6.

A confident affirmation: the psalmist knows אֱלֹהִים saves His anointed (the king). אֱלֹהִים will answer from heaven with powerful saving deeds, imagery of a Divine, rescuing right hand.

Verse 7.

Contrast between human military reliance and Divine trust: some put confidence in chariots and horses (military power), but Israel will call on and proclaim the Name of יְהוָה - the LORD.

Verse 8.

A picture of defeat for those who trust in military might (“they are bowed down and fallen”) and of vindication for those who trust אֱלֹהִים (“we are risen, and stand upright”).

Verse 9.

A final, urgent plea: “Save, יְהוָה - the LORD.” The community asks that the king answer them when they call, a short, emphatic closing petition.

Closing remark:

As we have clearly seen, this is a remarkable Tehillim - Psalm which has stated with clarity and feeling the facts of its contents!

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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 אֱלֹהֵיכֶםבְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּוְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּוַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַיקַדֵּשׁוּוְהָיוּ לְאוֹתבֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַתכִּי 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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