Psalm-23
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Tanakh versions:
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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.
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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With
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Introduction:
Tehillim - Psalm 23 opens with the simple but a profound declaration “יְהוָה - the LORD is my shepherd”, a personal, covenantal image of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) as the provider and guide. The heading “A Psalm of David” situates the voice in the Davidic tradition and frames the poem as a compact testimony of trust and Divine care.
Let us read Tehillim - Psalm 23: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh):
1. “A
Psalm of David. יְהוָה
- the LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2. He maketh me to lie down
in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still
waters.
3. He restoreth my soul; He
guideth me in straight paths for His name's sake.
4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy
staff, they comfort me.
5. Thou preparest a table
before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the
days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of יְהוָה
- the LORD forever”.
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Let us now take a look at each verse, and what it means:
Verse 1.
“יְהוָה -
the LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want”.
This verse states two linked claims: אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim as shepherd
(provider, protector, guide) and the speaker’s
dependence expressed by “I shall not want”, a confident assurance that
basic needs and wellbeing are met under Divine care.
Verse 2.
“He maketh me to lie down in green
pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters”.
The imagery is pastoral and restorative: green pastures imply nourishment and
rest; still waters imply calm and safety. Together they portray a setting where
the flock is refreshed and secure under the shepherd’s direction.
Verse 3.
“He restoreth my soul; He guideth me in straight paths for His name’s sake”.
Restoration of the soul signals renewal after weariness or distress. “Straight
paths” (paths of integrity or right direction) indicate moral and practical
guidance. The phrase “for His name’s sake” points to אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim’s reputation and
faithfulness as the motive for sustaining and guiding the speaker.
Verse 4.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will
fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me”.
The poem moves from pastoral calm to a dangerous terrain, being a valley of
deep peril. Yet the presence of אֱלֹהִים
removes fear. Rod and staff are the usual shepherd’s tools: whilst the rod is
for protection, the staff for guidance; both symbolize active care that brings
comfort even amid a threat!
Verse 5.
“Thou prepares a table before me in the
presence of mine enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over”.
Here the shepherd’s care is expressed in hospitality and honour: a prepared
table, anointing (a sign of welcome and blessing), and an overflowing cup
(abundance). The scene emphasizes public vindication and generous provision
despite hostile circumstances.
Verse 6.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of יְהוָה - the LORD forever”.
The closing affirms a lifelong trajectory: goodness and mercy accompany the
speaker continually, and the final image of dwelling in the house of יְהוָה
- the LORD evokes ongoing
communion and security within אֱלֹהִים
- Elohim’s presence rather
than a technical doctrinal claim.
The Conclusion:
Tehillim - Psalm
23 in the JPS-1917 wording is a compact testimony of ‘trust’, ‘restoration’,
‘protection’, ‘honour’, and ‘lifelong fellowship with אֱלֹהִים’.
Its strength lies in concrete pastoral and domestic images that make the
speaker’s confidence in Divine care immediate and very much accessible!
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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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