Psalm-32

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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 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. (JPS-1917).

However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago have completly disobeyed this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ – ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’

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“Tehillim - Psalm 32”

JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh..

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

Foreword:

Psalm 32 is the second of the seven “Penitential Psalms”, but in our tradition, it is known primarily as a מַשְׂכִּיל - Maskil, a song of deep wisdom and instruction.

While Psalm 51 is David’s raw cry of repentance during his fall, Psalm 32 is his reflection after being forgiven. It is the relief of a man who no longer has to hide.

Introduction: The Blessing of Transparency:

This Tehillim - Psalm begins with the word ‘Ashrei’ (“Happy” or “Forward-striding”), the same word that opens the entire Book of Psalms. David teaches that true happiness is not found in being perfect, but in being honest with the Almighty. It describes the physical and spiritual weight of “keeping silence” about one’s sins and the sudden, light-filled liberation that comes with confession.

Let us now read Tehillim - Psalms Chapter 32:

1. “(A Psalm) of David. Maschil. Happy is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is pardoned.

2. Happy is the man unto whom יְהוָה - the LORD counteth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

3. When I kept silence, my bones wore away through my groaning all the day long.

4. For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me; my sap was turned as in the droughts of summer. Selah.

5. I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid; I said: ‘I will make confession concerning my transgressions unto יְהוָה - the LORD’ and Thou, Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

6. For this let every one that is godly pray unto Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found;
surely, when the great waters overflow, they will not reach unto him.

7. Thou art my hiding-place; Thou wilt preserve me from the adversary; with songs of deliverance Thou wilt compass me about. Selah.

8. ‘I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will give counsel, Mine eye being upon thee’.

9. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding; whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, that they come not near unto thee.

10. Many are the sorrows of the wicked; but he that trusteth in יְהוָה - the LORD, mercy compasseth him about.

11. Be glad in יְהוָה - the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous; and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart”.

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Once again I will use the ‘verse by verse, with commentary:

The State of Forgiveness (Verses 1-2).

Verse 1: “Happy is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered”.

David uses three different Hebrew words for sin here (‘Pesha’, ‘Chata’ah’, ‘Avon’), showing that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s forgiveness covers every possible category of human failing.

Verse 2: “Happy is the man... in whose spirit there is no guile”.

Guile (Remiyah) is self-deception. The truly happy man is the one who has stopped lying to himself.

The Weight of Silence (Verses 3-4).

Verse 3: “When I kept silence, my bones wore away...”

David describes psychosomatic pain. Refusing to repent felt like a physical rotting of his frame.

Verse 4: “For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me...”

The “heaviness” was actually אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s mercy, bothering David’s conscience so that he would eventually turn back.

The Turning Point (Verse 5).

Verse 5: “I acknowledged my sin unto Thee... I said: ‘I will make confession...’”

This is the shortest verse in terms of action but the most important. David stopped “covering” his own sin (v. 1) so that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim could cover it.

The Refuge (Verses 6-7).

Verse 6: “For this let every one that is godly pray... surely when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach him”.

Verse 7: “Thou art my hiding-place...”

After the confession, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is no longer a “heavy hand” (v. 4) but a “hiding place”.

The Teacher’s Voice (Verses 8-9).

Verse 8: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go...”.

Here, the Voice shifts. Many commentators believe this is אֱלֹהִים - Elohim speaking directly to David, or David speaking as a teacher to us.

Verse 9: “Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding...”.

Don’t be stubborn! A mule needs a bit and bridle to move; a human should move toward אֱלֹהִים - Elohim out of love and understanding.

The Final Contrast (Verses 10-11).

Verse 10: “Many are the sorrows of the wicked; but he that trusteth in יְהוָה - the LORD, lovingkindness (Chesed) shall compass him about”.

Verse 11: "Be glad in יְהוָה - the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous; and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart”.

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Let us look at some Cross-References (JPS-1917 Tanakh):

1. Proverbs 28:13 (The Core Principle).

The verse: “He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy”.

Insight: This is the prose version of Psalm 32.

2. Psalm 51:5 (The Struggle Before the Peace).

The verse: “For I know my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me”.

Insight: Psalm 51 shows the “heaviness”, but David felt this in Psalm 32:4!

Conclusion: The Joy of Being Known:

Here is a beautiful message for all who reads this, the truth is that אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim already knows our secrets; confession is simply us catching up to the truth. David teaches that the “Upright in Heart” (v. 11) are not people who never fail, but people who are “upright” (straight) enough to admit when they do!

I pray that you may feel that ‘Chesed’ (lovingkindness) “compassing you about” like a warm cloak.

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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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