Psalms-70-71-72

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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 70, 71 & 72”

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

Introduction to Psalms 70, 71, and 72:

These three Psalms form a profound trilogy of a life lived with אֱלֹהִים - Elohim. Psalm 70 is an urgent “SOS” for immediate help. Psalm 71 is the prayer of a man in his old age, looking back at a lifetime of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s faithfulness while facing the frailty of his later years.Psalm 72 is the glorious conclusion to the second book of Psalms, a prayer for the King (Solomon) and the ultimate reign of peace and justice across the earth.

May אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) mightely bless you as you read these Psalms!

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Let us read Psalm 70 and view the verse by verse explanations: (JPS-19917 version of the Tanakh).

1. “For the Leader. (A Psalm) of David; to make memorial”.

Explanation: This is a “memorial” Psalm, intended to bring our needs quickly to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s remembrance.

2. “Deliver me, O אֱלֹהִים; O LORD, make haste to help me”.

Explanation: David is in an emergency. He does not use many words; he simply asks אֱלֹהִים to “make haste”.

3. “Let them be ashamed and abashed that seek after my soul; let them be turned backward and brought to confusion that delight in my hurt”.
4. “Let them be turned back by reason of their shame that say: 'Aha, aha;”.

Explanation: He asks that those who mock his suffering be silenced by the reality of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s intervention.

5. “Let all those that seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee; and let such as love Thy salvation say continually: ‘Let אֱלֹהִים be magnified’”.

Explanation: Even in crisis, David wants the focus to stay on אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s greatness.

6. “But I am poor and needy; hasten unto me, O אֱלֹהִים; Thou art my help and my deliverer; O יְהוָה - LORD, tarry not”.
Explanation: He ends as he began, with an urgent request. He admits his total dependence (“poor and needy”) and begs אֱלֹהִים not to “tarry” (delay)”.

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Now we come to Tehillim - Psalm 71 (The Prayer of Old Age) and view both the text and the explanations:

1. “In Thee, O LORD, have I taken refuge; let me never be ashamed”.
2. “Deliver me in Thy righteousness, and rescue me; incline Thine ear unto me, and save me”.

Explanation: David establishes his lifelong habit: taking refuge in the Divine.

3. Be Thou to me a sheltering rock, whereunto I may continually resort; Thou hast given commandment to save me; for Thou art my rock and my fortress”.

Explanation: He asks for a “sheltering rock” that is always available. אֱלֹהִים has already "commanded" his safety.

4. “Deliver me, O My אֱלֹהִים, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the grasp of the unrighteous and cruel man”.
5. “For Thou art my hope, O אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - LORD Elohim; Thou art my trust from my youth”.
6. “Upon Thee have I stayed myself from the birth; Thou art He that took me out of my mother's womb; my praise is continually of Thee”.

Explanation: David looks back to his very beginning. אֱלֹהִים has been his support from the womb to the present day.

7. “I am as a wonder unto many; but Thou art my strong refuge.
8. “My mouth shall be filled with Thy praise, and with Thy glory all the day.
Explanation: People look at David's life with "wonder" (sometimes with shock at his trials), but his response is constant praise.

9. “Cast me not off in the time of old age; when my strength faileth, forsake me not.
10. “For mine enemies speak concerning me, and they that watch for my soul take counsel together,
11. “Saying: ‘אֱלֹהִים hath forsaken him; pursue and take him; for there is none to deliver’”.

Explanation: This is the heart of the Psalm. As his physical strength wanes, he asks אֱלֹהִים not to leave him. Enemies think he is vulnerable because he is old, but they forget his Protector.

12. “O אֱלֹהִים, be not far from me; O my אֱלֹהִים, make haste to help me”.
13. “Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and confusion that seek my hurt”.
14. “But as for me, I will hope continually, and will praise Thee yet more and more”.

Explanation: Notice the resilience: he doesn't just keep praising; he praises “more and more” as he gets older.

15. “My mouth shall tell of Thy righteousness, and of Thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof”.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s mercies are so many they cannot be counted.

16. “I will come with the mighty acts of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim; I will make mention of Thy righteousness, even of Thine only”.
17. “O אֱלֹהִים, Thou hast taught me from my youth; and until now do I declare Thy wondrous works”.

Explanation: David sees his whole life as a long school where אֱלֹהִים - Elohim was the Teacher.

18. “And even unto old age and hoary hairs, O אֱלֹהִים, forsake me not; until I have declared Thy strength unto the next generation, Thy might to every one that is to come”.

Explanation: His goal for living longer is to tell the younger generation about אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s power.

19. “Thy righteousness also, O אֱלֹהִים, reacheth unto high heaven; Thou who hast done great things, O אֱלֹהִים, who is like unto Thee?”
20. “Thou, who hast made me to see many and sore troubles, wilt quicken me again, and wilt bring me up again from the depths of the earth”.

Explanation: He acknowledges that אֱלֹהִים allowed the “sore troubles”, but trusts that the same אֱלֹהִים will “quicken” (revive) him again.

21. “Increase Thou my greatness, and turn Thee and comfort me.
22. “I also will praise Thee with the psaltery, even Thy truth, O my אֱלֹהִים; unto Thee will I sing praises with the harp, O Thou Holy One of Israel.
23. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing praises unto Thee; and my soul, which Thou hast redeemed.
24. My tongue also shall tell of Thy righteousness all the day long; for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.
Explanation: The Psalm ends in a symphony of instruments and voices, celebrating the redemption of the soul.

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Finally we come to Psalm 72 (The Reign of the King):

1. “(A Psalm) of Solomon. Give the king Thy judgments, O אֱלֹהִים, and Thy righteousness unto the king's son”.

Explanation: A prayer for the royal line to rule with Divine justice.

2. “That he may judge Thy people with righteousness, and Thine afflicted with justice”.
3. “Let the mountains bear peace to the people, and the hills, through righteousness”.

Explanation: The King’s righteousness brings a “harvest” of peace to the land.

4. “May he judge the poor of the people, and save the children of the needy, and break in pieces the oppressor”.

Explanation: A true King is measured by how he treats the poor.

5. “They shall fear Thee while the sun endureth, and so long as the moon, throughout all generations”.
6. “May He come down like rain upon the mown grass, as showers that water the earth”.

Explanation: The King’s influence should be refreshing and life-giving, like rain on a dry field.

7. “In his days let the righteous flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon be no more”.
8. “May he have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the River unto the ends of the earth”.

Explanation: This is a vision of a kingdom that covers the whole world.

9. “Let them that dwell in the wilderness bow before him; and his enemies lick the dust”.
10. “The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall render tribute; the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts”.
11. “Yea, all kings shall prostrate themselves before him; all nations shall serve him”.

Explanation: Every earthly power will eventually recognize this Divine reign.

12. “For he delivereth the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper”.
13. “He hath pity on the poor and needy, and the souls of the needy he saveth”.
14. “He shall redeem their soul from oppression and violence; and precious shall their blood be in his sight”.

Explanation: This is a beautiful promise: to the Great King, your life and your “blood” are “precious”. You are not forgotten in your need.

15. “That they may live, and that he may give him of the gold of Sheba; and that they may pray for him continually, and bless him all the day”.
16. “May there be abundance of corn in the land upon the top of the mountains; may the fruit thereof rustle like Lebanon; and may they of the city flourish like grass of the earth”.

Explanation: A vision of total agricultural and urban prosperity.

17. “May his Name endure for ever; may his name be continued as long as the sun; may men also bless themselves by him; let all nations call him happy”.
18. “Blessed be אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, the אֱלֹהִים of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things;
19. “And blessed be His glorious name for ever; and let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen”.
Explanation: The Psalm ends with a double “Amen”, marking the end of the second book of Psalms.

20. “The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended”.
Explanation: This indicates the close of this specific collection of Davidic prayers.

My Closing Message:

I am sure that this study of three fine Tehellim – Psalms 70, 71 and 72, with have been of a help in your own search to be obedient unto אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה – the LORD Elohim! I pray that the entire Tehillim - Psalms series will richly bless you!

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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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