Psalms-116-117
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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 our beloved TaNaKh:
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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.
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 116 and 117:
These two Psalms sit side by side in the “Hallel”, the group of Psalms traditionally recited during
festivals and moments of deliverance. Psalm 116 is
intimate and deeply personal — the voice of someone who nearly died, cried out to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim
(God), and was saved. Psalm 117, the shortest chapter in all
of Scripture, widens the lens and calls all nations to praise אֱלֹהִים - Elohim for His steadfast love and enduring truth. Together, they show how
personal gratitude and universal praise are woven into the same tapestry of
faith.
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Let us read Tehillim
- Psalm Chapter 116: (JPS-1917 versio of the Tanakh).
1. I love that יְהוָה - the LORD should hear my voice and my
supplications.
2. Because He hath inclined His ear unto me,
therefore will I call upon Him all my days.
3. The cords of death compassed me, and the straits
of the nether-world got hold upon me; I found trouble and sorrow.
4. But I called upon the Name of יְהוָה - the LORD: 'I beseech thee, O יְהוָה - LORD, deliver my soul.'
5. Gracious is יְהוָה - the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is compassionate.
6. יְהוָה - the LORD preserveth
the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me.
7. Return, O my soul, unto thy rest; for יְהוָה - the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.
8. For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine
eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.
9. I shall walk before יְהוָה - the LORD in the lands of the living.
10. I trusted even when I spoke: 'I am greatly
afflicted.'
11. I said in my haste: 'All men are liars.'
12. How can I repay unto יְהוָה - the LORD all His bountiful dealings toward
me?
13. I will lift up the cup of salvation, and call
upon the name of יְהוָה - the LORD.
14. My vows will I pay unto יְהוָה - the LORD, yea, in the presence of all His
people.
15. Precious in the sight of יְהוָה - the LORD is the death of His saints.
16. I beseech Thee, O יְהוָה - LORD, for I am Thy servant;
I am Thy servant, the son of Thy handmaid; Thou hast loosed my bands.
17. I will offer to thee the sacrifice of
thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.
18. I will pay my vows unto יְהוָה - the LORD, yea, in the presence of all His
people;
19. In the courts of יְהוָה - the LORD’s house,
in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.
“HalleluYah”.
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Let us check out Tehillim
- Psalm 116 ‘verse by verse’ with explanations:
Verse 1. The Psalmist begins with love for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, rooted in the simple fact that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim listens.
Verse 2. Because אֱלֹהִים - Elohim pays attention, the Psalmist commits to calling on Him throughout life.
Verse 3. A vivid description of danger: death felt close, and despair surrounded him.
Verse 4. In that moment of fear, he cried out for deliverance.
Verse 5. A declaration of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s character: gracious, righteous, and compassionate.
Verse
6. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim protects the
simple and vulnerable. The Psalmist was humbled and rescued.
Verse 7. He speaks to his own soul, urging it to rest because אֱלֹהִים - Elohim has been
generous.
Verse 8. A threefold deliverance: from death, from tears, and from stumbling.
Verse 9. He resolves to live faithfully before אֱלֹהִים - Elohim in the land of the living.
Verse 10. Even in affliction, he held onto trust.
Verse 11. In distress, he felt that people were unreliable, a moment of emotional honesty.
Verse 12. He wonders how he can possibly repay אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s kindness.
Verse 13. He will lift the “cup of salvation,” a symbolic act of thanksgiving.
Verse 14. He promises to fulfill his vows publicly, showing gratitude openly.
Verse 15. A tender statement: the lives of the faithful are precious to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
Verse 16. He identifies as אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s servant, acknowledging liberation from bondage.
Verse 17. He offers thanksgiving and again calls upon אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s name.
Verse 18. He repeats his vow to fulfill his promises before the community.
Verse 19. The Psalm ends in the Temple courts, in Jerusalem, with a final “Hallelujah.”
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Let us now read the shortest Psalm 117 in the
Tanakh:
1. “O praise יְהוָה - the LORD, all ye nations; laud Him, all ye
peoples.
2. For His mercy is great
toward us; and the truth of יְהוָה - the LORD endureth
forever. “HalleluYah”.
Let us check out Tehillim
- Psalm 117 ‘verse by verse’ with explanations:
Verse 1. A universal call: not just Israel, but all nations are invited to praise אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
Verse
2. Two reasons for this praise: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s steadfast
love is mighty. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s truth and
faithfulness endure forever.
The Psalm ends with a joyful “Hallelujah.”
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MY Closing Message:
Psalms 116 and 117 form a beautiful pair. One speaks from the depths of personal struggle and deliverance; the other lifts its voice to the entire world. Together, they remind us that God hears the cry of the individual and also guides the destiny of nations. Gratitude begins in the heart but ultimately reaches outward, inviting all creation to join in praise.
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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).
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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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