Psalm-Chapter-3

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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.

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ having been corrected like it once was, pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following two truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!

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).

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“Tehillim - Psalm 3

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

 

Just before the study, I would like to provide one more vital quote from the book of Yahoshua - Joshua Ch 1:7-8. (JPS-1917).

Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey the entire Torah My servant Moshe has given you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

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Tehillim - Psalm Chapter 3’.

Introduction:

This Psalm is traditionally dated to the moment when David fled Absalom’s rebellion, which had been an intensely personal crisis that left him surrounded by enemies and a great deal of slander. Its shape is simple and powerful: complaint (verses 1-2), being an affirmation of Elohim’s protection (v.3), being a testimony of answered prayer and personal experience (vv. 4–5), such as renewed confidence (v.6), petition for deliverance (v.7), and doxology (v.8). The repeated movement from distress to trust makes it a model for prayer in danger.

Let us read this Tehillim – Psalm Chapter 3 (JPS-1917 version).

1. “A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

2. יְהוָה - the LORD, how many are mine adversaries become! Many are they that rise up against me.

3. Many there are that say of my soul: 'There is no salvation for him in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God)’, Selah.

4. But thou, O יְהוָה - the LORD, art a shield about me; my glory, and the lifter up of my head.

5. With my voice I call unto יְהוָה - the LORD, and He answereth me out of His Holy mountain. Selah.

6. I lay me down, and I sleep; I awake, for יְהוָה - the LORD sustaineth me.

7. I am not afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.

8. Arise, O יְהוָה - LORD; save me, O my אֱלֹהִים - Elohim; for Thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek, thou hast broken the teeth of the wicked.

9. Salvation belongeth unto יְהוָה - the LORD; Thy blessing be upon Thy people. Selah”.

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Let us now look at a word for word verse with explanation’s:

Below I will provide a concise phrase level, and the theological point to carry from each verse.

Verse 1. Complaint about foes.

How many” - “rising against me”: emphasizes numerical pressure and the sense of being overwhelmed.

The theological point: Name the threat honestly; prayer begins with truth!

Verse 2. Slander and despair of others:

There is no help for him in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim”: Capturing enemy taunts and spiritual isolation.

Theological point: Enemies often attack the faith itself; the Psalmist records the lie, so he can oppose it in prayer!

Verse 3. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim as a shield, glory, and lifter of head!.

Shield”: A protective image; “glory”: honour restored; “lifter of my head”: “dignity” and “courage renewed”.

The theological point: Trust reframes vulnerability for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is an active protector and restorer.

Verse 4. Crying aloud, which was answered from Holy hill.

“Cried aloud” - “answered”: Prayer is vocal and relational; and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s response is real.

Theological point: Prayer is not monologue; the psalmist testified to an answered plea.

Verse 5. Sleep and sustenance:

I lay down and slept; I woke again”: Sleep as a sign of trust; “sustained”: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s ongoing care!

Theological point: faith permits rest even during danger.

Verse 6. Fearlessness before multitudes:

I will not be afraid”: For courage is rooted in אֱלֹהִים, not by circumstances.

Theological point: Trust changes the strong posture toward their enemies.

Verse 7. Urgent petition for deliverance:

Arise, O Lord! Save me”: A bold appeal; strike…break the teeth”: vivid language for decisive deliverance.

Theological point: Honest petitions can be urgent and vivid; אֱלֹהִים can be asked to act!

Verse 8. Salvation belongs to יְהוָה - the LORD; blessing on your people!

“Salvation belongs to יְהוָה - the LORD”: The final theological claim; “blessings”.

Theological point: personal rescue points to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s saving character for the Hebrew community.

My closing message:

Tehillim - Psalm 3 teaches ... that ‘honest lament’ and ‘bold trust’ belong together. When life feels besieged, ‘name the danger’, ‘call for help’, ‘remember past answers’, ‘rest in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s care’, and ‘conclude with Praise’. This is the Psalmist’s pattern and a practical way to pray in a crises!

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PLEASE NOTE: 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. MEC).

And Remember ...

Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat Shalom!

אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶםבְּחֻקּוֹתַי לֵכוּוְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי שִׁמְרוּוַעֲשׂוּ אוֹתָם

וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַיקַדֵּשׁוּוְהָיוּ לְאוֹתבֵּינִי וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַתכִּי 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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