Psalms-114-115
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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 and of today have, and are shamefully disobeying 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 Psalms
114 and 115:
These two Psalms stand together in the ‘Hallel’, the group of Psalms recited on festivals and
moments of thanksgiving. Psalm 114
looks backward to the Exodus time, celebrating אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s power over nature and His intimate involvement in Israel’s history. Psalm 115 looks forward and inward, urging trust
in the living אֱלֹהִים – Elohim
(God) rather than in lifeless idols, and promising
blessing to all who rely on Him. Together, they form a movement from אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s mighty acts to our faithful response!
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Let us read Tehillim - Psalm Chapter 114: (JPS-1917
version of the Tanakh).
1. “When Israel came forth out of Egypt, the house
of Jacob from a people of strange language;
2. Judah became His sanctuary, Israel His dominion.
3. The sea saw it, and fled; the Jordan turned
backward.
4. The mountains skipped like rams, the hills like
young sheep.
5. What aileth thee, O
thou sea, that thou fleest? thou
Jordan, that thou turnest backward?
6. Ye mountains, that ye
skip like rams; ye hills, like young sheep?
7. Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of יְהוָה - the LORD, at the presence of the אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of Jacob;
8. Who turned the rock into a pool of water, the flint
into a fountain of waters”.
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Let us read Tehillim –
Let us now read Tehillim - Psalm Chapter 114 ‘verse
by verse’ with a summary and explanation:
Verse 1. Israel’s departure from Egypt is recalled as a defining moment. The “people of strange language” emphasizes the foreignness and oppression they left behind.
Verse 2. Judah is called אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s sanctuary, meaning אֱלֹהִים - Elohim chose to dwell among them. Israel is His dominion, showing His kingship over them.
Verse
3.
The Red Sea “fled” and the Jordan “turned backward.” These poetic images recall the miraculous crossings that marked Israel’s journey.
Verse
4. Mountains “skipping” like rams symbolize creation trembling joyfully at
אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence.
Verse
5.
The Psalmist asks the sea why it fled. The question highlights אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s overwhelming power.
Verse
6. The same question is asked of the mountains. Nature responds to אֱלֹהִים as if alive.
Verse
7. The earth is called to tremble before יְהוָה - the
LORD, not in fear, but in reverent awe.
Verse
8. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s ability to bring water from rock is remembered. He provides life
from the most unlikely places.
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Let us now read Tehillim - Psalm Chapter 115 ‘verse by verse’ with a summary and explanation: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).
1. Not unto us, O יְהוָה - LORD, not unto us, but unto Thy name give
glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth's sake.
2. Wherefore should the nations say: 'Where is now
their אֱלֹהִים - Elohim?'
3. But our אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is in the
heavens; whatsoever pleased Him He hath done.
4. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's
hands.
5. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have
they, but they see not;
6. They have ears, but they hear not; noses have they,
but they smell not;
7. They have hands, but they handle not; feet have
they, but they walk not; neither speak they with their
throat.
8. They that make them shall be like unto them; yea,
every one that trusteth in them.
9. O Israel, trust thou in יְהוָה - the LORD! He is their help and their shield!
10. O house of Aaron, trust ye in יְהוָה - the LORD! He is their help and their shield!
11. Ye that fear יְהוָה - the LORD, trust in יְהוָה - the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
12. יְהוָה - the LORD hath been mindful of us, He will
bless He will bless the house of Israel; He will bless the house of Aaron.
13. He will bless them that fear יְהוָה - the LORD, both small and great.
14. יְהוָה - the LORD increase you more and more, you and
your children.
15. Blessed be ye of יְהוָה - the LORD who made heaven and earth.
16. The heavens are the heavens of יְהוָה - the LORD; but the earth hath He given to the
children of men.
17. The dead praise not יְהוָה - the LORD, neither any that go down into
silence;
18 But we will bless יְהוָה - the LORD from this time forth and for ever.
Hallelujah”.
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Let us now look at Tehillim - Psalm Chapter 115 ‘verse
by verse’ with a summary and explanation:
Verse
1. The Psalm begins with humility: glory belongs to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim alone, because of His mercy and truth.
Verse
2. The nations mock Israel, asking where their אֱלֹהִים is. This reflects times of
hardship or exile.
Verse
3. The answer is firm: אֱלֹהִים is in heaven and acts
according to His will. His power is not limited.
Verse
4. Idols are described as precious materials shaped by human hands,
impressive, but powerless.
Verse
5. They have mouths but cannot speak. Their appearance is deceptive.
Verse
6. Eyes that cannot see, again emphasizing their
lifelessness.
Verse
7. Ears that cannot hear, noses that cannot smell, hands
that cannot act, feet that cannot move. The
Psalmist dismantles the illusion of idol power.
Verse
8. Those who trust in idols become spiritually unresponsive like them.
This is a warning about misplaced devotion.
Verse
9. Israel is called to trust in יְהוָה - the
LORD, who is their help and shield.
Verse
10. The priests, the house of Aaron are also urged to trust in Him.
Verse
11. All who fear יְהוָה - the
LORD, regardless of background, are included. Trust in אֱלֹהִים is universal.
Verse
12. אֱלֹהִים remembers His people and
promises blessing. His care is active and ongoing.
Verse
13. Both “small and great” receive blessing. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s generosity is not limited by status.
Verse
14. A prayer for increase: may אֱלֹהִים multiply you and your
children.
Verse
15. Blessing is tied to the Creator of heaven and earth, the ultimate
source of all good.
Verse
16. Heaven belongs to אֱלֹהִים, but the earth is entrusted
to humanity. This expresses both Divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
Verse
17. The dead cannot praise אֱלֹהִים, meaning that praise is the
privilege of the living.
Verse
18. A commitment to lifelong and eternal praise. The Psalm ends with “HalleluYah,” a call to
joyful worship!
My Closing Message:
Psalms 114 and 115 together remind us that אֱלֹהִים is both mighty in history and present in our lives today. He is the One who split seas, moved mountains, and brought water from rock, and He is also the One who shields, blesses, and remembers His people. Their combined message is simple and steady: Trust in the living אֱלֹהִים, who has acted before and will act again.
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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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