Psalms-98-99

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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:

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.

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 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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“Psalms-98-99”

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

Introduction to Psalms 98 and 99:

These two Psalms belong to the collection of “Enthronement Psalms” (93–100), which celebrate the sovereignty of the Almighty. ‘Psalm 98’ is a jubilant “New Song” (Shir Chadash) focusing on the revelation of Divine justice to all nations and the physical earth. ‘Psalm 99’ shifts the focus to the communal and historical, emphasizing אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s (God’s) holiness (Kadosh) and His relationship with Israel’s leaders, Moses, Aaron, and Samuel highlighting that while אֱלֹהִים - Elohim is King of the world, He is uniquely present in Zion. Together, they move from universal acclaim to the specific requirements of holiness and justice.

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Let us read Tehillim - Psalm Chapter 98: (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

1. “A Psalm. O sing unto יְהוָה - the LORD a new song; for He hath done marvellous things;
His right hand, and His holy arm, hath wrought salvation for Him.
2. יְהוָה - the LORD hath made known His salvation; His righteousness hath He revealed in the sight of the nations.
3. He hath remembered His mercy and His faithfulness toward the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
4. Shout unto יְהוָה - the LORD, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy, yea, sing praises.
5. Sing praises unto יְהוָה - the LORD with the harp; with the harp and the voice of melody.
6. With trumpets and sound of the horn shout ye before the King, יְהוָה - the LORD.
7. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein;
8. Let the floods clap their hands; let the mountains sing for joy together;
9. Before יְהוָה - the LORD, for He is come to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity”.

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Let us now look at the ‘verse by verse’ for Psalm 98 with excellent Explanations:

Verse 1: “A Psalm. O sing unto יְהוָה - the LORD a new song; for He hath done marvelous things; His right hand, and His holy arm, hath wrought salvation for Him”.

Explanation: The “new song” refers to the ultimate redemption of the future. Unlike past salvations which were followed by new troubles, this song celebrates a final victory achieved by אֱלֹהִים- Elohim’s “holy arm” alone, without human aid.

Verse 2: “יְהוָה - the LORD hath made known His salvation; His righteousness hath He revealed in the sight of the nations”.

Explanation: The vindication of Israel and the triumph of truth will not be a private affair; it will be a public demonstration of Divine righteousness witnessed by all humanity.

Verse 3: He hath remembered His mercy and His faithfulness toward the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים- Elohim’s covenantal love (Chesed) for Israel is the catalyst. When Israel is redeemed, the entire world recognizes the Power that governs history.

Verse 4: “Shout unto יְהוָה - the LORD, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy, yea, sing praises”.

Explanation: The “shout” (Hari’u) is the sound of the Shofar, a coronation blast welcoming the King.

Verse 5: “Sing praises unto יְהוָה - the LORD with the harp; with the harp and the voice of melody”.
Verse 6: “With trumpets and sound of the horn shout ye before the King, יְהוָה - the LORD”.

Explanation: The use of musical instruments symbolizes the harmony of the created order returning to its Source.

Verse 7: “Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein”.
Verse 8: “Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together”.

Explanation: Nature itself is personified. The “clapping” of the floods suggests the rhythmic crashing of waves, joining the chorus of praise.

Verse 9: “Before יְהוָה - the LORD, for He is come to judge the earth; He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity”.

Explanation: Judgment here is not a cause for fear, but for joy, for it signifies the setting right of all wrongs and the establishment of true equity.

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We will now read Tehillim - Psalm 99: (The Thrice-Holy King):

1. “יְהוָה - the LORD reigneth; let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake.
2. יְהוָה - the LORD is great in Zion; and He is high above all the peoples.
3. Let them praise Thy name as great and awful; Holy is He.
4. The strength also of the king who loveth justice
Thou hast established equity, Thou hast executed justice and righteousness in Jacob.
5. Exalt ye יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - the LORD our God, and prostrate yourselves at His footstool; Holy is He.
6. Moses and Aaron among His priests, and Samuel among them that call upon His name,
did call upon יְהוָה - the LORD, and He answered them.
7. He spoke unto them in the pillar of cloud; they kept His testimonies, and the statute that He gave them.
8. O יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - LORD our Elohim, Thou didst answer them;
a forgiving God wast Thou unto them, though Thou tookest vengeance of their misdeeds.
9. Exalt ye יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - the LORD our Elohim, and worship at His holy hill;
for יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - the LORD our Elohim is holy.

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We will look at the Psalm 99 ‘verse by verse’ Item, with Explanations:

Verse 1: “יְהוָה - the LORD reigneth; let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake”.

Explanation: While Psalm 98 was celebratory, Psalm 99 begins with “Awe”. אֱלֹהִים is seated upon the Cherubim (the Ark), signifying His presence in the Holy of Holies.

Verse 2: “יְהוָה - the LORD is great in Zion; and He is high above all the peoples.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s greatness is manifest in Zion first, and from that center, His authority extends over all nations.

Verse 3: “Let them praise Thy name as great and awful; Holy is He”.

Explanation: The first of three declarations of “Holy” (Kadosh), corresponding to the three divisions of the soul or the three worlds.

Verse 4: “The strength also of the king who loveth justice, Thou hast established equity; Thou hast executed justice and righteousness in Jacob”.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s “strength” is not raw power, but His love for justice. He has given “Jacob” (the Jewish people) the Law to ensure equity is practiced on earth.

Verse 5: “Exalt ye יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - the LORD our Elohim, and prostrate yourselves at His footstool; Holy is He”.

Explanation: The “footstool” is traditionally understood as the Temple or the Earthly Sanctuary. This is the second declaration of Holiness.

Verse 6: “Moses and Aaron among His priests, and Samuel among them that call upon His name; they called upon יְהוָה - the LORD, and He answered them”.

Explanation: The Psalmist invokes the three greatest intercessors. They represent the “ideal” relationship, calling out in prayer and receiving a direct response.

Verse 7: “He spoke unto them in the pillar of cloud; they kept His testimonies, and the statute that He gave them”.

Explanation: אֱלֹהִים communicated through the cloud to show that while He is accessible, He remains veiled in mystery. Their greatness lay in their total obedience to the Chukim (statutes).

Verse 8: “O יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - LORD our Elohim, Thou didst answer them; Thou wast a forgiving אֱלֹהִים unto them, though Thou tookest vengeance of their misdeeds”.

Explanation: A vital principle: אֱלֹהִים forgives the person but does not overlook the deed. Even Moses and Aaron were held to a strict standard of justice.

Verse 9: “Exalt ye יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - the LORD our Elohim, and worship at His holy hill; forיְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - the LORD our Elohim is holy”.

Explanation: The final “Holy”. The Psalm concludes by bringing the worshiper to the “Holy Hill” (Moriah), the place where the finite meets the Infinite.

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My Closing Message:

Using these two Psalms together creates a profound spiritual movement. Psalm 98 provides the “horizontal” perspective, the expansion of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s glory across the seas, the hills, and the nations. It is the joy of the world being “mended” (Tikkun). Whilst, Psalm 99 provides the “vertical” perspective, the internal climb toward holiness and the rigorous demand for justice and law. Together, they teach us that the “New Song” of the future cannot be sung without the “Statutes” of the past. The joy of the redemption (98) must be anchored in the holiness of the Sanctuary (99). May the study of these verses bring a sense of both the Majesty and the Intimacy of the Holy One, Blessed be He!

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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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