Psalm-51
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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.
Foreword:
Psalm 51 is perhaps the most profound of all the Penitential Psalms. Traditionally attributed to King David after he was confronted by the prophet ‘Nathan’ regarding Bathsheba, it is the ultimate “heart-map” for anyone seeking a return to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God).
Introduction: The Psalm of the
Broken Heart:
In Hebrew, this is the “Psalm of Teshuvah (Return)”. It teaches us that the greatest spiritual heights are often reached from the deepest valleys. While other Psalms celebrate אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s power in nature or history, yet Psalm 51 looks inward. It reveals that the most holy place on earth is not a building, but a “broken and contrite heart”. It is the blueprint for how to transform guilt into new and a faithful growth!
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Let us now read Tehillim - Psalm Chapter 51: (JPS-1917 version of
the Tanakh).
1. For the
Leader. A Psalm of David;
2. When Nathan the prophet
came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba.
3. Be gracious unto me, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, according
to Thy mercy; according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my
transgressions.
4. Wash me thoroughly from
mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
5. For I know my
transgressions; and my sin is ever before me.
6. Against Thee, Thee only,
have I sinned, and done that which is evil in Thy sight; that Thou mayest
be justified when Thou speakest, and be in the right when Thou judgest.
7. Behold, I was brought
forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
8. Behold, Thou desirest
truth in the inward parts; make me, therefore, to know wisdom in mine inmost
heart.
9. Purge me with hyssop, and
I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
10. Make me to hear joy and
gladness; that the bones which Thou hast crushed may rejoice.
11. Hide Thy face from my
sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
12. Create me a clean heart,
O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim; and renew a
steadfast spirit within me.
13. Cast me not away from Thy
presence; and take not Thy Holy spirit from me.
14. Restore unto me the joy
of Thy salvation; and let a willing spirit uphold me.
15. Then will I teach
transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall return unto Thee.
16. Deliver me from blood
guiltiness, O אֱלֹהִים, Thou אֱלֹהִים of my salvation; so shall my tongue sing
aloud of Thy righteousness.
17. O יְהוָה - LORD, open Thou my
lips; and my mouth shall declare Thy praise.
18. For Thou delightest not
in sacrifice, else would I give it; Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering.
19. The sacrifices of אֱלֹהִים are a broken spirit; a broken and a
contrite heart, O אֱלֹהִים, Thou wilt not despise.
20. Do good in Thy favour
unto Zion; build Thou the walls of Jerusalem.
21. Then wilt Thou delight in the sacrifices of
righteousness, in burnt-offering and whole offering; then will they offer
bullocks upon Thine altar.
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Let us now look at the ‘verse by verse’
complete with commentary:
The Plea for Mercy (Verses 1-2).
v. 1: “Be gracious to me, O אֱלֹהִים...” David appeals not to his own merits, but to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s “unfailing love” (Chesed).
v. 2: “Wash me thoroughly...” This uses the imagery of laundering a garment. Sin is seen as a stain that needs deep scrubbing, not just a surface wipe.
The Confession (Verses 3-6).
v. 3: “For I know my transgressions...” Healing begins with “Knowing”. We cannot fix what we will not face.
v. 4: “Against You, You only, have I sinned...” Though David hurt people, he recognizes that sin is ultimately a rebellion against the Divine order.
v. 5: “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity...” A recognition of human frailty; we are imperfect from the start.
v. 6: “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts...” אֱלֹהִים is not looking for a “good performance”, but for raw honesty in our hidden thoughts.
The Request for Cleansing (Verses 7-9).
v. 7: “Purge me with hyssop...” Hyssop was used in the Temple to sprinkle blood for ritual cleansing. David asks for a spiritual “re-entry” into holiness.
v. 8: “Let the bones You have crushed rejoice”. A powerful metaphor, true repentance is painful, like a broken bone being reset so it can heal straight.
v. 9: “Hide Your face from my sins...” A plea for אֱלֹהִים to look at the person, not the mistake.
The Transformation (Verses 10-12).
v. 10: “Create in me a clean heart, O אֱלֹהִים...” The Hebrew word for “create” here is Bara, the same word used in Genesis for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim creating the world. It implies that only אֱלֹהִים can make something totally new.
v. 11: “Cast me not away from Your presence...” The ultimate fear of the believer is distance from the Divine Light.
v. 12: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation”. Note that David asks for joy, not just forgiveness.
The Vow of Service (Verses 13-15).
v. 13: “Then I will teach transgressors Your ways...” Our past mistakes, once forgiven, become our greatest tools for helping others.
v. 14: “Deliver me from bloodguiltiness...” A specific reference to the life David had caused to be lost.
v. 15: “O יְהוָה - LORD, open my lips...” After the silence of guilt, David asks for his voice back so he can praise again.
The True Sacrifice (Verses 16-17).
v. 16: “For You do not delight in sacrifice...” Ritual without heart is empty.
v. 17: “The sacrifices of are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, You will not despise.” This is the “Golden Verse” of the Psalm. It tells us that our brokenness is actually an offering.
Prayer for the Community (Verses 18-21).
v. 18: “Do good in Your favour to Zion...” David realizes his personal actions affect the whole nation.
v. 19: “Build the walls of Jerusalem”. A prayer for spiritual and physical security.
v. 20-21: “Then You will delight in right sacrifices...” Once the heart is right, the outward rituals regain their meaning.
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A
Closing Message: “The Beauty of the Broken”.
We often think that to be “pious” or “protected”, we must be perfect. Psalm 51 tells us the opposite. It tells us that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is closest to the cracks in our lives. Rabbi Sacks often spoke about “the ethics of responsibility”. David shows us that taking responsibility for our failures is the only way to reclaim our dignity. By the end of this Psalm, the speaker is no longer a “sinner” hiding in the dark, but a teacher, a singer, and a servant standing in the light.
May this study remind you that no matter how far we wander, the “clean heart” is only one sincere prayer away.
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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;
“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)
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(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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