Psalm-64-65

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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 - 64 & 65”

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

Introduction to Psalms 64 and 65:

These two Psalms present a powerful contrast in the life of faith. Psalm 64 is a plea for protection against the "secret counsel" of the wicked, those who use their words like sharp swords to wound the innocent. Psalm 65, conversely, is a magnificent song of gratitude, shifting from the darkness of human conspiracy to the light of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s provision in nature and the spiritual joy of being close to Him. Together, they show God as both a Shield from enemies and a Provider of abundance.

Let us now read Tehillim - Psalm 64: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. “For the Leader. A Psalm of David.
2. Hear my voice, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, in my complaint; preserve my life from the terror of the enemy.
3. Hide me from the council of evil-doers; from the tumult of the workers of iniquity;
4. Who have whet their tongue like a sword, and have aimed their arrow, a poisoned word;
5. That they may shoot in secret places at the blameless; suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
6. They encourage one another in an evil matter; they converse of laying snares secretly;
they ask, who would see them.
7. They search out iniquities, they have accomplished a diligent search;
even in the inward thought of every one, and the deep heart.
8. But אֱלֹהִים - Elohim doth shoot at them with an arrow suddenly; thence are their wounds.
9. So they make their own tongue a stumbling unto themselves; all that see them shake the head.
10. And all men fear; and they declare the work of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, and understand His doing.
11. The righteous shall be glad in יְהוָה - the LORD, and shall take refuge in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

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Let us look at Psalm 64 ‘verse by verse’ with explanations:

1. “For the Leader. A Psalm of David”.

Explanation: This identifies the Psalm as a musical petition intended for the community to recognize אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s justice.

2. “Hear my voice, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, in my complaint; preserve my life from the terror of the enemy”.

Explanation: David begins by asking אֱלֹהִים - Elohim to hear his “voice” not just his words, but the emotional weight of his distress. He seeks protection from the “terror” that comes from being targeted.

3. “Hide me from the secret counsel of evil-doers; from the tumult of the workers of iniquity”;

Explanation: The danger here is hidden. David asks for a hiding place from conspiracies that are hatched in the dark, away from public view.

4. “Who have whet their tongue like a sword, and have aimed their arrows, even bitter words”;
5. “That they may shoot in secret places at the blameless; suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not”.

Explanation: The weaponry in this Psalm is speech. David compares "bitter words" to sharpened swords and arrows. The wicked are bold because they think they are hidden from אֱלֹהִים - Elohim אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s sight.

6. “They encourage themselves in an evil matter; they converse of laying snares privily; they say: ‘Who would see them?’”

Explanation: They believe their secrecy is absolute. They are so confident in their deception that they have lost all fear of divine accountability.

7. “They search out iniquities, they confess a perfect device; and the inward thought of every one, and the heart, is deep”.

Explanation: This refers to the complexity of human evil. The “deep heart” here is a negative depth, a profound and calculated malice that is difficult for man to untangle.

8. “But אֱלֹהִים - Elohim doth shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly are they wounded”.

Explanation: The turning point. The same "suddenness" the wicked used against the innocent is turned back upon them by אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. His arrow of truth finds them instantly.

9. “So shall they be made to stumble, their own tongue being against them; all that see them shall shake the head”.

Explanation: Their own words (the “tongue”) become the cause of their downfall. Those who witnessed their arrogance will now look on them with pity or scorn.

10. “And all men shall fear; and they shall declare the work of God, and shall wisely consider of His doing”.
11. “The righteous shall be glad in יְהוָה - the LORD, and shall take refuge in Him; and all the upright in heart shall glory”.

Explanation: The result of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s justice is a universal lesson. The righteous are not just saved; they are vindicated and find a deeper joy in their "High Tower."

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We now turn to read Tehilim - Psalms Chapter 65:

1. “For the Leader. A Psalm. A Song of David.
2. Praise waiteth for Thee, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, in Zion; and unto Thee the vow is performed.
3. O Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee doth all flesh come.
4. The tale of iniquities is too heavy for me; as for our transgressions, Thou wilt pardon them.
5. Happy is the man whom Thou choosest, and bringest near, that he may dwell in Thy courts;
may we be satisfied with the goodness of Thy house, the holy place of Thy temple!
6. With wondrous works dost Thou answer us in righteousness, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim of our salvation;
Thou the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of the far distant seas;
7. Who by Thy strength settest fast the mountains, who art girded about with might;
8. Who stillest the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples;
9. So that they that dwell in the uttermost parts stand in awe of Thy signs; Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.
10. Thou hast remembered the earth, and watered her, greatly enriching her, with the river of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim that is full of water;
Thou preparest them corn, for so preparest Thou her.
11. Watering her ridges abundantly, settling down the furrows thereof, Thou makest her soft with showers; Thou blessest the growth thereof.
12. Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness; and Thy paths drop fatness.
13. The pastures of the wilderness do drop; and the hills are girded with joy.
14. The meadows are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn;
they shout for joy, yea, they sing”

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Let us look at Psalm 65: ‘verse by verse’ with Commentary: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. “For the Leader. A Psalm. A Song of David”.

Explanation: This is a “Song” a lighter, more celebratory melody than the previous petition.

2. “Praise waiteth for Thee, O אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, in Zion; and unto Thee shall the vow be performed”.

Explanation: In Zion, praise is described as “waiting”, it is ready and prepared to be offered as soon as אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence is felt.

3. “O Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee doth all flesh come”.

Explanation: This is a universal promise. אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is defined by His willingness to listen, making Him accessible to every living creature.

4. “Iniquities prevail against me; as for our transgressions, Thou wilt pardon them”.

Explanation: David acknowledges human weakness. Even when our sins feel like an overwhelming flood, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s capacity to “pardon” is greater.

5. “Happy is the man whom Thou choosest, and bringest near, that he may dwell in Thy courts; may we be satisfied with the goodness of Thy house, the holy place of Thy temple”.

Explanation: The greatest joy is “closeness”. Being invited into אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence provides a satisfaction that no worldly wealth can offer.

6. “With wondrous works dost Thou answer us in righteousness, O אֱלֹהִים of our salvation; Thou the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of the far distant seas;”

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים- Elohim’s answers are “wondrous”. His reputation as a Savior extends to the most remote places on the planet.

7. “Who by His strength setteth fast the mountains, being girded with might;”
8. “Who stilleth the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the tumult of the peoples”.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is the master of both nature and human history. He stabilizes the mountains and calms the chaotic “roaring” of nations.

9. “So that they that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at Thy tokens; Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice”.

Explanation: The sunrise and sunset are described as “rejoicing”. Nature itself is a witness to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s glory, inspiring awe in all who see it.

10. “Thou hast remembered the earth, and watered her, greatly enriching her, with the river of אֱלֹהִים, which is full of water; Thou preparest them corn, for so preparest Thou her”.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is the Divine Farmer. The “river of אֱלֹהִים – Elohim” represents the rainfall and the life-giving flow that ensures a harvest for humanity.

11. “Watering her ridges abundantly, settling down the furrows thereof, Thou makest her soft with showers; Thou blessest the springing thereof”.

Explanation: personally tends to the soil, softening the hard ground so that life can "spring" forth.

12. “Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness; and Thy paths drop fatness”.

Explanation: The “crown” of the year is the harvest. Wherever אֱלֹהִים - Elohim “walks” through the land, abundance and “fatness” (prosperity) follow in His footsteps.

13. “The pastures of the wilderness do drop; and the hills are girded with joy”.
14. “The meadows are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, yea, they sing”.

Explanation: The Psalm ends with a vision of a singing landscape. The hills, meadows, and valleys are personified as a joyful choir celebrating אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s provision.

My Closing Message:

These Psalms provide a spiritual journey from the “bitter words” of men (Psalm 64) to the “shouts of joy” from the earth (Psalm 65). They remind us that while the human heart can be “deep” with malice, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s “river” is deeper and full of life. As we deal with your illnesses, you may find that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim “stills the roaring” of our pains and “crowns your year” with His quiet goodness. May you feel the “fatness” of His peace dropping upon your life!

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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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