Psalms-123-124

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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 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.

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. (JPS-1917).

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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“Psalms 123 & 124”

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

Introduction:

Psalm 123 and Psalm 124 are both ‘Songs of Ascents’ (pilgrim songs). They express dependence on אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s mercy (123), and thanksgiving for Divine deliverance from enemies (124). These short Psalms move from petition to praise, modeling how communal prayer shifts from humble appeal to confident thanksgiving.

Let us now read Tehillim - Psalms Chapter 123: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. A Song of Ascents.
Unto Thee I lift up mine eyes, O Thou that art enthroned in the heavens.
2. Behold, as the eyes of servants unto the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress;
so our eyes look unto יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - the LORD our Elohim, until He be gracious unto us.
3. Be gracious unto us, O יְהוָה - LORD, be gracious unto us; for we are full sated with contempt.
4. Our soul is full sated with the scorning of those that are at ease, and with the contempt of the proud oppressors.

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Let us first look at the ‘verse by verse’ item of Psalm 123, with explanations:

v.1. “Unto Thee I lift up mine eyes”: A posture of dependence; looking upward signifies trust in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s sovereign rule.

v.2. “as the eyes of servants…so our eyes look”: The similes stress attentive waiting, servants watch a master’s hand for provision; the community waits for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s favor.

v.3. “Be gracious unto us”: Repetition intensifies the plea; the people feel worn by contempt and need Divine compassion.

v.4. “full sated with the scorning”: The Psalm closes by naming the pain social scorn and oppression, and by asking אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s gracious intervention!

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Now we can read Tehillim - Psalms Chapter 124:

1. A Song of Ascents; of David. ‘If it had not been יְהוָה - the LORD who was for us’, let Israel now say;
2. ‘If it had not been יְהוָה - the LORD who was for us, when men rose up against us,
3. Then they had swallowed us up alive, when their wrath was kindled against us;
4. Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul;
5. Then the proud waters had gone over our soul’.
6. Blessed be יְהוָה - the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth.
7. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we are escaped.
8. Our help is in the name of יְהוָה - the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

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Now we will look at the ‘verse by verse’ item of Psalm 124, with explanations:

vv.1-2. Corporate testimony: The community speaks in the first person plural: “If it had not been יְהוָה - the LORD…let Israel now say”, an invitation to remember deliverance together.

vv.3-5. Vivid images of danger: Swallowed alive; waters overwhelming, metaphors for overwhelming threats (military, political, or chaotic forces).

v.6. “Blessing אֱלֹהִים - Elohim for not surrendering them: A turn from peril to praise; gratitude is the appropriate response.

v.7. “Escaped as a bird out of the snare”: Image of sudden, miraculous escape; the snare is broken, deliverance is decisive.

v.8. “Our help is in the name of יְהוָה - the LORD”: Concluding confession: help is grounded in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim the Creator, and not in human power.

My Concluding message:

These two Psalms teach a simple spiritual rhythm: honest petition followed by communal remembrance and praise. When we feel scorned or threatened, Psalm 123 invites humble waiting for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s grace; Psalm 124 invites us to rehearse past deliverances and to root our hope in the Creator’s Name.

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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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