Psalms-133-134

-hebraicstudies.net-

Please do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!

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.

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”.

YYYYYYY

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!’

YYYYYYY

 “Psalms - 133 & 134”

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

Introduction;

These two Songs of Ascents pair naturally: Psalm 133 celebrates the blessing of unity in the community, and Psalm 134 models nightly worship and blessing in the sanctuary. Together they teach communal harmony and devotional service.

Tehillim - Psalm Chapter 133: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. “A Song of Ascents; of David. A Song of Ascents; of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!!
2. It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard; even Aaron's beard, that cometh down upon the collar of his garments;
3. Like the dew of Hermon, that cometh down upon the mountains of Zion; for there
יְהוָה - the LORD commanded the blessing, even life forever”.

Let us look at the ‘verse by verse’ Item, with Explanations:

Verse 1. “A Song of Ascents; of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!”

Explanation: The Psalm opens with an exultant observation: unity is both morally good and aesthetically pleasant, a social and spiritual good that fosters life in the community.

Verse 2. “It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard; Even Aaron’s beard, That cometh down upon the collar of his garments”,

Explanation: The simile of sacred anointing links unity to priestly blessing: oil that anoints the high priest symbolizes consecration, continuity, and the transmission of blessing through relationships.

Verse 3. “Like the dew of Hermon, That cometh down upon the mountains of Zion; For there יְהוָה - the LORD commanded the blessing, Even life forever”.

Explanation: Dew from Mount Hermon (high, life giving) descending on Zion evokes refreshment and fertility; the final line ties unity to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s commanded blessing ultimately, life itself.

YYYYYYY

Tehillim - Psalm Chapter 134:

1. A Song of Ascents. Behold, bless ye יְהוָה - the LORD, all ye servants of יְהוָה - the LORD, that stand in the house of יְהוָה - the LORD in the night seasons.
2. Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, and bless ye
יְהוָה - the LORD.
3. 
יְהוָה - the LORD bless thee out of Zion; even He that made heaven and earth.

Let us again look at the verse by verse item and the Explanations:

Verse 1. “A Song of Ascents. Behold, bless ye יְהוָה - the LORD, all ye servants of יְהוָה - the LORD,
that stand in the house of
יְהוָה - the LORD in the night seasons.

Explanation: This summons addresses temple attendants who keep night watch: their vocation is to bless אֱלֹהִים - Elohim even in the quiet hours, modelling faithful service.

Verse 2. “Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, And bless ye יְהוָה - the LORD.

Explanation: A liturgical gesture (hands lifted) accompanies blessing; worship is embodied action, not merely private thought”.

Verse 3.יְהוָה - the LORD bless thee out of Zion; Even He that made heaven and earth”.

Explanation: The Psalm closes with a reciprocal benediction: those who bless אֱלֹהִים - Elohim receive blessing from Zion, the Divine source who created heaven and earth, linking human worship to cosmic blessing.

My Concluding message:

Psalm 133 teaches that unity is a sacred good that channels blessing; Psalm 134 shows that faithful worship even at night, both blesses אֱלֹהִים - Elohim and invites אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s blessing in return. Together they form a short curriculum: cultivate unity, serve faithfully, and expect אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s life giving blessing.

YYYYYYY

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).

YYYYYYY

“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.

 

 

Enter ... 

http://www.hebraicstudies.net/Site-Index.htm

 

Enter ... 

https://www.hebraicstudies.net

 

 

 

 

-hebraicstudies.net-

 

 

 

Email the Rabbi

 

RBA@hebraicstudies.net

 

If the email link does not open - You can also copy the link and use it.

 

Although the author does not believe in having to copyright “Hebraic Studies” commenced in the mid 1980’,

but there have been occasions where there parts of his studies have been taken and quoted out of context

under my name, and thus he has been misquoted by those who have their own reasons for doing so.

Thus, it is only for this reason these works are fully covered under strict ...

Copyright © 2025 - “Hebraic Studies” - All rights reserved.