Psalm-86
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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.
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:
Psalm 86 is presented as A Prayer of David and expresses humble dependence, confident petition, and praise for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s (God’s) mercy. Key themes are trust in trouble, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s unique sovereignty, and the Psalmist’s plea for mercy and guidance.
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Let
us now read Psalms Chapter 86: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanah).
1. A Prayer of David. Incline Thine
ear, O יְהוָה - LORD, and answer me; for I am poor and
needy.
2. Keep my soul, for I am godly;
O Thou my אֱלֹהִים -
Elohim, save Thy servant that trusteth in Thee.
3. Be gracious unto me, O יְהוָה - LORD; for unto Thee do I cry all the day.
4. Rejoice the soul of Thy servant; for unto Thee, O יְהוָה - LORD, do I lift up my soul.
5. For Thou, יְהוָה - LORD, art good, and ready to pardon, and
plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee.
6. Give ear, O יְהוָה - LORD, unto my prayer; and attend unto the voice
of my supplications.
7. In the day of my trouble I call upon Thee; for
Thou wilt answer me.
8. There is none like unto Thee among the gods, O יְהוָה - LORD, and there are no works like Thine.
9. All nations whom Thou hast made shall come and
prostrate themselves before Thee, O יְהוָה - LORD; and they shall glorify Thy Name.
10. For Thou art great, and doest wondrous things;
Thou art alone.
11. Teach me, O יְהוָה - LORD, Thy way, that I may walk in Thy
truth;
make one my heart to fear Thy Name.
12. I will thank Thee, O יְהוָה - LORD my אֱלֹהִים, with my whole heart; and I will glorify
Thy Name for evermore.
13. For great is Thy mercy toward me; and Thou hast
delivered my soul from the lowest nether-world.
14. O אֱלֹהִים, the proud are risen up against me, and
the company of violent men have sought after my soul,
and have not set Thee before them.
15. But Thou, O יְהוָה - LORD, art a אֱלֹהִים full of compassion and gracious, slow to
anger, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
16. O turn unto me, and be
gracious unto me; give Thy strength unto Thy servant, and save the son of Thy
handmaid.
17. Work in my behalf a sign for good;
that they that hate me may see it, and be put to shame, because Thou, יְהוָה - LORD, hast helped me, and comforted me.
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Let us now look at the ‘verse by verse’ reflections, with explanations.
v.1-2: “Humble petition and identity”.
Explanation: The Psalmist begins by admitting poverty and need, yet claims ‘godliness’, ‘trust’ is rooted in ‘relationship’, not self, sufficiency.
v.3-4: “Persistent prayer and longing”.
Explanation: ‘All the day’ and ‘lift up my soul’ show continual dependence and desire for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence’.
v.5: “אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s character as merciful pardoner”.
Explanation: This is the theological hinge: אֱלֹהִים is ready to forgive those who call.
v.6-7: “Confidence in being heard. The plea for attentive listening is paired with faith that אֱלֹהִים answers in trouble!”
v.8-10: “Uniqueness of אֱלֹהִים and universal worship”.
Explanation: The Psalm moves from personal plea to cosmic confession: no god like יְהוָה; all nations will honour Him.
v.11-12: “Request for guidance and vow of praise”.
Explanation: Spiritual instruction (teach me Thy way) leads to ethical response (I will walk).
v.13: “Deliverance acknowledged”.
Explanation: The Psalmist remembers rescue from extreme peril, this fuels thanksgiving.
v.14-15: “Contrast of enemies and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s compassion”.
Explanation: Human hostility contrasts with divine longsuffering and truth.
v.16-17: Final petition for visible help.
Explanation: The request for a “token for good” seeks vindication so enemies are shamed and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s help is evident.
My Closing message:
Psalm 86 invites us to bring honest need, persistent prayer, and confident praise to אֱלֹהִים. Its balance of humility and assurance teaches that trusting אֱלֹהִים does not ignore trouble but reorients it toward אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s mercy and purpose. Let this Psalm shape both your petitions and your praises today.
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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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“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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