Psalm-96
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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 to Psalm 96:
Psalm 96 is a “New Song”, a joyful call to all nations and even to nature itself to recognize the sovereignty of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God). Historically and liturgically, it is associated with the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. It is a missionary Psalm, inviting the whole world to abandon idols and join in the worship of the one true Creator who is coming to judge the earth with righteousness and truth.
Let us
now read Tehillim - Psalms Chapter 96: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).
1. “O sing
unto יְהוָה - the
LORD a new song; sing unto יְהוָה - the
LORD, all the earth.
2. Sing unto יְהוָה - the
LORD, bless His name; proclaim His salvation from day to day.
3. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvellous works among all the peoples.
4. For great is יְהוָה - the
LORD, and highly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
5. For all the gods of the peoples are things of nought; but יְהוָה - the
LORD made the heavens.
6. Honour and majesty are
before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
7. Ascribe unto יְהוָה - the LORD, ye kindreds
of the peoples, ascribe unto יְהוָה - the
LORD glory and strength.
8. Ascribe unto יְהוָה - the
LORD the glory due unto His name; bring an offering, and come into His courts.
9. O worship יְהוָה - the LORD
in the beauty of holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth.
10. Say among the nations: ‘יְהוָה - the
LORD reigneth;. The world
also is established that it cannot be moved;
He will judge the peoples with equity.
11. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth
rejoice; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof;
12. Let the field exult; and all that is therein;
then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy;
13. Before יְהוָה - the
LORD, for He is come; for He is come to judge the earth;
He will judge the world with righteousness, and the
peoples in His faithfulness”.
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Let us now look at Psalm 96, with the ‘verse by verse’ Item, with Explanations:
1. “O sing unto יְהוָה - the LORD a new song; sing unto יְהוָה - the LORD, all the earth”.
Explanation: The “new song” is not just a new melody, but a song for a new era of redemption. It is a universal call; no longer is praise limited to one corner of the world, but “all the earth” is invited to the choir!
2. “Sing unto יְהוָה - the LORD, bless His name; proclaim His salvation from day to day”.
Explanation: Worship is constant (“day to day”). To “bless His Name” means to acknowledge His character and to tell the story of His “salvation”, His power to deliver His people”.
3. “Declare His glory among the nations, His marvellous works among all the peoples”.
Explanation: This is a call to be a light to the nations. The “marvellous works” refer to the miracles of history, which serve as proof of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s uniqueness to those who do not yet know Him”.
4. “For great is יְהוָה - the LORD, and highly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods”.
Explanation: David sets a contrast. The greatness of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is so vast that any other object of worship, whether an idol or a worldly power, pales in comparison.
5. “For all the gods of the peoples are things of nought; but יְהוָה - the LORD made the heavens”.
Explanation: In Hebrew, the word for “things of nought” is elilim, which is a pun on elohim (gods). It implies they are “diminutive” or “empty”. The proof of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s superiority is that He is the Creator of the very heavens.
6. “Honour and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary”.
Explanation: These four attributes, ‘Honour’, ‘Majesty’, ‘Strength’, and ‘Beauty’ are the ‘atmosphere’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence. They reflect both His royal authority and His aesthetic perfection.
7. “Ascribe unto יְהוָה - the LORD, ye kindreds of the peoples, ascribe unto יְהוָה - the LORD glory and strength”.
Explanation: To “ascribe” is to give credit where it is due. David calls on the families (kindreds) of every tribe to recognize that all power and glory originate from אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
8. “Ascribe unto יְהוָה - the LORD the glory due unto His Name; bring an offering, and come into His courts”.
Explanation: True worship involves action. Bringing an “offering” is a sign of submission and gratitude as one enters the sacred space of the “courts”.
9. “O worship יְהוָה - the LORD in the beauty of holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth”.
Explanation: Worship must be done in “the beauty of holiness” with a pure heart and a sense of awe. The “trembling” is not a fear of terror, but a profound reverence for the Divine Presence.
10. “Say among the nations: ‘יְהוָה - the LORD reigneth’. The world also is established that it cannot be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity”.
Explanation: This is the central message: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is King. Because He reigns, the world has a moral order (“is established”). His judgment is not biased; it is based on “equity” (fairness).
11. “Let the heavens be
glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and the fulness
thereof”;
12. “Let the field exult,
and all that is therein; then shall all the trees of the wood sing for joy”.
Explanation: David calls on inanimate nature to participate. The heavens, earth, sea, fields, and even the trees are personified as worshippers. Creation itself feels the joy of its Creator’s reign.
13. “Before יְהוָה - the LORD, for He is come; for He is come to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples in His faithfulness”.
Explanation: The Psalm ends with anticipation. The “coming” of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is a source of joy because His judgment brings the world back into its proper, righteous order.
My Closing Message:
Tehillim - Psalm 96 is a powerful antidote to despair. It reminds us that regardless of the “idols” of our time or the struggles we face, “יְהוָה - the LORD Reigneth”. This Psalm invites us to look beyond our immediate pain and join the “new song” of a creation that is moving toward a righteous conclusion. May the “strength and beauty” mentioned in verse 6 be present in your home today, and may you feel the joy of the “trees of the wood” as you rest in His faithfulness.
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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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