Psalm-60

-hebraicstudies.net-

Please do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!

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.

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”.

YYYYYYY

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!’

YYYYYYY

“Tehillim - Psalm 60”

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

Introduction to Tehillim - Psalm 60:

Psalm 60 is a Michtam of David, written during a time of military and national tension. The superscription refers to David's struggles against Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab’s victory in the Valley of Salt. It begins with a heavy heart, feeling as though אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) has cast the nation off, but it transitions into a powerful declaration of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s ownership over the Land of Israel. It is a prayer for restoration after a period of "shaking" or brokenness.

Let us now read Tehillim - Psalm Chapter 60: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. “For the Leader; upon Shushan Eduth; Michtam of David, to teach;
2. when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the Valley of Salt twelve thousand.
3. O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, Thou hast cast us off, Thou hast broken us down; Thou hast been angry; O restore us.
4. Thou hast made the land to shake, Thou hast cleft it; heal the breaches thereof; for it tottereth.
5. Thou hast made Thy people to see hard things; Thou hast made us to drink the wine of staggering.
6. Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah
7. That Thy beloved may be delivered, save with Thy right hand, and answer me.
8. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim spoke in His holiness, that I would exult; that I would divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
9. Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the defence of my head; Judah is my sceptre.
10. Moab is my washpot; upon Edom do I cast my shoe; Philistia, cry aloud because of me!
11. Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will lead me unto Edom?
12. Hast not Thou, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, cast us off? And Thou goest not forth, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, with our hosts.
13. Give us help against the adversary; for vain is the help of man.
14. Through אֱלֹהִים - Elohim we shall do valiantly; for He it is that will tread down our adversaries”.

YYYYYYY

Let us now take a look at the ‘verse by verse’ Item as well as the Explanations:

Explanation: The “Shushan Eduth” (The Lily of Testimony) likely refers to a specific melody. This Psalm is unique because it is “to teach”, and intended to be a lesson for the people on how to respond to national crisis through prayer.

3. “O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, Thou hast cast us off, Thou hast broken us down; Thou hast been angry; O restore us again”.

Explanation: David speaks with raw honesty. He feels the “breakage” of the nation. He does not hide his pain but brings the feeling of abandonment directly to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, asking for a Teshuvah, a restoration.

4. “Thou hast made the land to shake, Thou hast cleft it; heal the breaches thereof; for it tottereth”.

Explanation: He compares the political or military instability to an earthquake. The “land totters”. He asks אֱלֹהִים - Elohim to be the Divine Architect who heals the cracks (breaches) in the foundation of society.

5. “Thou hast shewed Thy people hard things; Thou hast made us to drink the wine of staggering”.

Explanation: This “wine of staggering” refers to a state of confusion and disorientation. The trials have been so "hard" that the people feel like they cannot walk straight or see the path forward.

6. “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah”.

Explanation: Despite the hardship, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim provides a “Banner” (a Nes). This banner represents the Truth of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s covenant. It is a rallying point for the faithful to gather around in times of trouble.

7. “That Thy beloved may be delivered, save with Thy right hand, and answer me”.

Explanation: David identifies the people as אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s “beloved”. He appeals to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s “Right Hand”, the symbol of His active, saving power.

8. “אֱלֹהִים - Elohim hath spoken in His holiness: ‘I will exult; I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth”.

Explanation: Here, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim speaks directly. He reasserts His ownership of the land. By mentioning Shechem and Succoth, He claims both the west and east sides of the Jordan.

9. “Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the defence of My head; Judah is My sceptre”.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim identifies the tribes. Ephraim is the “helmet” (defense) and Judah is the “sceptre” (lawgiver/royalty). This reaffirms that the order of the kingdom is ordained by Heaven.

10. “Moab is My washpot; upon Edom do I cast My shoe; Philistia, cry aloud because of Me”.

Explanation: This imagery shows ’ אֱלֹהִים- Elohim’s sovereignty over Israel’s enemies. Moab and Edom are reduced to the status of servants or conquered territories, showing that no foreign power is outside of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s control, בָּרוּךְ אֱלֹהִים - Bless Elohim.

11. “Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will lead me unto Edom?
12. Hast not Thou, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, cast us off? And Thou goest not forth, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, with our hosts?”

Explanation: David asks how they can conquer the “fortified city” (Petra/Edom) without אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. He acknowledges that without the Divine Presence leading the “hosts” (armies), human effort is in vain.

13. “Give us help against the adversary; for vain is the help of man”.

Explanation: This is a core truth of the Psalms. Human alliances and strength are “vain” (empty). True “help” (Ezrat) comes only from the Creator!

14. “Through אֱלֹהִים - Elohim we shall do valiantly; for He it is that will tread down our adversaries”.

Explanation: The Psalm ends with a note of confidence. When אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is with us, we act with “valour”. It is not our strength, but His power working through us that achieves the victory!

My Closing Message:

Tehillim - Psalm 60 is a beautiful prayer for anyone feeling “shaken” or “tottering”. It teaches us that even when we feel cast off or confused by “hard things”, we have a Banner of Truth to hold onto. If you have to navigate an illness, You may feel that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is “healing the breaches” and providing you with the “help against the adversary” of pain and fatigue. Through Him, you shall continue to do valiantly!

YYYYYYY

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).

YYYYYYY

“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.

Enter ...

http://www.hebraicstudies.net/Site-Index.htm

Enter ...

https://www.hebraicstudies.net

-hebraicstudies.net-

Email the Rabbi

RBA@hebraicstudies.net

If the email link does not open - You can also copy the link and use it.

Although the author does not believe in having to copyright “Hebraic Studies” commenced in the mid 1980’,

but there have been occasions where there parts of his studies have been taken and quoted out of context

under my name, and thus he has been misquoted by those who have their own reasons for doing so.

Thus, it is only for this reason these works are fully covered under strict ...