Psalm-32
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Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of Thy Law!
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
to Psalm 31:
Psalm 31 is a Mizmor
L’David (A Psalm of David) that serves as a profound
cry for rescue from “the depths”. It is a multi-layered poem that moves from
the physical danger of pursuit to the emotional pain of social isolation. In
our Jewish thought, this Psalm is often associated with the period when David
fled from King Saul or the betrayal of the people of Keilah.
It is a masterpiece of Bitachon (trust),
demonstrating how a soul moves from the “narrow straits” (Metzar)
to a “broad place” (Merchav).
Let us now read Tehillim-Psalm 31: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).
1. “For the Leader. A Psalm of David.
2. In thee, O יְהוָה - LORD, have I taken
refuge; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Thy righteousness.
3. Incline Thine ear unto me, deliver me
speedily; be Thou to me a rock of refuge, even a fortress of defence, to
save me.
4. For Thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore
for Thy Name's sake lead me and guide me.
5. Bring me forth out of the net that they have
hidden for me; for Thou art my stronghold.
6. Into Thy hand I commit my spirit; Thou hast
redeemed me, יְהוָה -OLORD, Thou אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim of truth.
7. I hate them that regard lying vanities; but I
trust in יְהוָה - the
LORD.
8. I will be glad and rejoice in Thy
loving-kindness; for Thou hast seen mine affliction, Thou hast taken
cognizance of the troubles of my soul,
9. And Thou hast not given me over into the hand of
the enemy; Thou hast set my feet in a broad place.
10. Be gracious unto me, O יְהוָה -
LORD, for I am in distress; mine eye wasteth
away with vexation, yea, my soul and my body.
11. For my life is spent in sorrow, and my years in
sighing; my strength faileth because of mine iniquity,
and my bones are wasted away.
12. Because of all mine adversaries I am become a
reproach, yea, unto my neighbours exceedingly, and a dread to mine
acquaintance; they that see me without flee from me.
13. I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind; I am
like a useless vessel.
14. For I have heard the whispering of many, terror
on every side;
while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
15. But as for me, I have trusted in Thee, O יְהוָה - LORD; I have said: ‘Thou art my אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim’.
16. My times are in Thy hand; deliver me from the
hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
17. Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant; save me
in Thy loving-kindness.
18. O יְהוָה - LORD,
let me not be ashamed, for I have called upon Thee; let the wicked be ashamed,
let them be put to silence in the nether-world.
19. Let the lying lips be dumb, which speak
arrogantly against the righteous, with pride and contempt.
20. Oh how abundant is Thy goodness, which Thou hast
laid up for them that fear Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them that take
their refuge in Thee, in the sight of the sons of men!
21. Thou hidest them in
the covert of Thy presence from the plottings of
man; Thou concealest them in a pavilion from the
strife of tongues.
22. Blessed יְהוָה - be
the LORD; for He hath shown me His wondrous loving-kindness in an entrenched
city.
23. As for me, I said in my haste: 'I am cut off
from before Thine eyes'; nevertheless Thou heardest
the voice of my supplications when I cried unto Thee.
24. O love the LORD, all ye His godly ones; יְהוָה - the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully repayeth him that acteth
haughtily.
25. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all
ye that wait for יְהוָה - the
LORD”.
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We
will now look at Psalm 31 ‘verse by verse’ with commentary:
The Fortress of Trust (Verses 1–9).
Verses 1-3: David begins with a plea for Tzedakah (righteousness/justice). He asks יְהוָה - the LORD to be a Tzur Ma’oz (a Rock of Strength) and a Beit Metzudot (a House of Fortresses). This imagery reflects the Judean wilderness where David sought physical safety.
Verses 4-5: He acknowledges that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is his “crag” and “fortress”. He asks to be pulled out of the hidden “net” (Reshet), the conspiracies of his enemies.
Verse 6: “Be-yadcha afkid ruchi” (Into Your hand I entrust my spirit). In our Hebrew tradition, this is the foundational verse of the Hamapil prayer recited before sleep. It signifies an act of daily surrender, trusting that the soul is safe in the Creator’s keeping while we are vulnerable.
Verses 7-9: David rejects those who follow “vanity and lies” (Havlei-shav). He rejoices in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s Chesed (loving-kindness) because אֱלֹהִים - Elohim has acknowledged the “distresses of my soul” and granted him freedom of movement (Merchav).
The Cry of the Afflicted (Verses 10–14).
Verses 10-11: The language here is visceral. David describes his physical decline: his eyes, soul, and “belly” (Bitni) are consumed with grief. He notes that his strength has stumbled because of his Avon (iniquity or the suffering resulting from it).
Verses 12-13: These verses describe the “social death” of the exile. He is a “reproach” (Cherpah) to his enemies and a “dread” to his acquaintances. He famously compares himself to a Keli Oved (a lost or broken vessel), something that has lost its utility and is discarded by society.
Verse 14: He hears “Dibat Rabbim” (the slander of many). Fear is on every side as they conspire against his life.
The Declaration of
Faith (Verses 15–19).
Verses 15-16: Despite the conspiracy, David declares: “Ani alecha batachti יְהוָה – the LORD” (But I trust in You, O יְהוָה - LORD). He says, “Be-yadcha itotai” (My times are in Your hand). This is a core concept in Jewish theology, that the seasons and “timings” of a man’s life are divinely orchestrated.
Verse 17: He asks for the “light of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s face” to shine upon him—the ultimate sign of divine favor and the removal of Hester Panim (the hiding of the Face).
Verses 18-19: He prays that the “lying lips” which speak Atak (arrogance/insolence) against the Tzaddik (the righteous) be struck dumb.
The Treasure of
Goodness (Verses 20–25).
Verse 20: “Mah rav tuvcha...” (How great is Your goodness!). David speaks of the goodness אֱלֹהִים has “hidden away” (Tzafanta) for those who fear Him.
Verse 21: אֱלֹהִים hides the righteous in the Seter Panim (the secret of His presence) as a protection against the “strife of tongues”.
Verses 22-23: David blesses יְהוָה - the LORD for showing him “wondrous kindness” in a “besieged city”. He admits that in his haste (Chofzi), he thought he was cut off, yet אֱלֹהִים heard his Kol Tachanunai (voice of supplications).
Verses 24-25: The Psalm concludes with a call to the the pious to love יְהוָה - the LORD. He offers a final command of strength: “Chizku v’ya’ametz levavchem” (Be strong and let your heart be brave), all you who wait for יְהוָה - the LORD.
Closing
Statement:
Psalm 31 is the prayer of a man who has lost
everything, his health, his reputation, and his security, yet has retained his ‘Emunah’ (faith). It teaches us that while the
“broken vessel” of human life may be discarded by men, it is never forgotten by
the Almighty. By placing our “times” in His hand, we find the strength to move
from the panic of the moment to the courage required to wait for His “hidden
goodness”.
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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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follows;
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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.
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שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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