Psalm-57

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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.

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. (JPS-1917).

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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 Tehillim - Psalm 57”

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

Introduction:

Psalm 57 is a Michtam of David, composed when he fled from Saul, in the cave; it is a prayer of refuge that moves from urgent petition to triumphant praise, blending vivid danger, imagery with confident trust in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s (God’s) steadfast love.

Let us now read Tehillim - Psalm Chapter 57: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. “For the Leader; Al-tashheth. (A Psalm) of David; Michtam; when he fled from Saul, in the cave.
2. Be gracious unto me, O
אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, be gracious unto me, for in Thee hath my soul taken refuge; yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I take refuge, until calamities be overpast.
3. I will cry unto
אֱלֹהִים - Elohim Most high; unto אֱלֹהִים that accomplisheth it for me.
4. He will send from heaven, and save me, when he that would swallow me up taunteth; Selah.
 אֱלֹהִיםshall send forth His mercy and His truth.
5. My soul is among lions, I do lie down among them that are aflame;
even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
6. Be Thou exalted, O
אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, above the heavens; Thy glory be above all the earth.
7. They have prepared a net for my steps, my soul is bowed down;
they have digged a pit before me, they are fallen into the midst thereof themselves. Selah
8. My heart is stedfast, O
אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises.
9. Awake, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp; I will awake the dawn.
10. I will give thanks unto Thee, O
יְהוָה - LORD, among the peoples; I will sing praises unto Thee among the nations.
11. For Thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and Thy truth unto the skies.
12. Be Thou exalted, O
אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, above the heavens; Thy glory be above all the earth”.

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Let us now look into the verse by verse item complete with text and explanations:

Verse 1. “For the Leader; Al-tashheth. A Psalm of David; Michtam; when he fled from Saul, in the cave”.

Explanation: Superscription sets the historical and liturgical frame—expect a prayer born of urgent flight and hiding.

Verse 2. “Be gracious unto me, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, be gracious unto me; for in Thee hath my soul taken refuge; yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I take refuge, until calamities be overpast”.

Explanation: The Psalmist opens with repeated entreaty and the image of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s wings, shelter and patience until danger passes.

Verse 3. “I will cry unto אֱלֹהִים - Elohim Most High; unto אֱלֹהִים - Elohim that accomplisheth it for me”.

Explanation: A vow to call on the transcendent אֱלֹהִים - Elohim who acts on behalf of the petitioner.

Verse 4. He will send from heaven, and save me, when he that would swallow me up taunteth; Selah; אֱלֹהִים - Elohim shall send forth His mercy and His truth.

Explanation: Rescue is expected from above; mercy and truth are paired as אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s saving instruments.

Verse 5. “My soul is among lions, I do lie down among them that are aflame; even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword”.

Explanation: Vivid metaphors portray human enemies as predatory and verbally lethal danger is both physical and verbal.

Verse 6. “Be Thou exalted, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, above the heavens; Thy glory be above all the earth”.

Explanation: A doxological turn: even amid peril the Psalmist lifts אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s glory above all.

Verse 7. “They have prepared a net for my steps, my soul is bowed down; they have digged a pit before me, they are fallen into the midst thereof themselves”.

Explanation: The Psalmist trusts that the snares set for him will ensnare their makers Divine reversal.

Verse 8. “My heart is fixed, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise”.

Explanation: Resolve replaces fear; fixed heart leads to song and praise as active trust.

Verse 9. “Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp; I will awake early”.

Explanation: A call to worship musical instruments personified to join the morning praise.

Verse 10. “I will praise Thee, O יְהוָה - LORD, among the peoples; I will sing unto Thee among the nations”.

Explanation: The Psalmist anticipates public testimony praise will be proclaimed beyond his immediate circle.

Verse 11. “For Thy loving-kindness is great unto the heavens, and Thy truth unto the clouds”.

Explanation: The closing affirmation grounds praise in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s expansive loving-kindness and truth.

My Closing message:

Psalm 57 models prayer that moves from refuge to praise: name the peril, appeal for mercy, fix the heart on אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, and let deliverance overflow into public testimony. Use it to teach how trust reshapes fear into worship.

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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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“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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