Shabbat Shalom all,
Tehillim/Psalm 147:1 “Praise Yah! For it is good to sing praises to our Elohim. For it is pleasant – praise is fitting.”
Praise Yah – sing praises – for praise is fitting!!! 3 times in this verse we see the word ‘praise’, with each one being a different Hebrew word. The Hebrew word used for the first ‘praise’ here is הַלְלוּ – ‘halelu’ which is from the root word הָלַל halal Strong’s H1984 which means, ‘to shine; to be boastful; to be clear; to make a show; to rave; be foolish; to celebrate; praise, cheer, brag or extol, i.e., extol the greatness or excellence of a person, object or event.’
The 2nd Hebrew word translated as ‘praises’ in the above verse is זָמַר zamar – Strong’s H2167 meaning, ‘to make music (in praise of Elohim), sing praises’. This word carries with it the idea of ‘striking with the fingers’, and more properly meaning ‘to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument’. In other words this is not difficult to see that this clearly can give the meaning ‘to make music’, accompanied by the voice and therefore celebrate or praise in song and music. This is such a wonderful picture for me, as it gives reference of making music and singing songs unto יהוה with the aid of instruments. The 3rd Hebrew word translated as ‘praise’ in Tehillim/Psalm 147:1 is תְּהִלָּה tehillah Strong’s H8416 means, ‘praise, or a song of praise’ and comes from the word הָלַל halal. To Praise Yah is ‘good, pleasant and fitting’!!! These 3 words also help us get greater clarity on the need for us to praise our Mighty Elohim of Hosts! The Hebrew word translated as ‘good’ is טוֹב toḇ – Strong’s H2896 and carries the meaning, ‘pleasant, good, agreeable, beautiful, to be pleasing, done well’. In the true understanding of this word טוֹב toḇ we can see that it may best be translated in most cases as ‘functional’ – to praise Yah is a very ‘functional’ action of the created toward the Creator! The Hebrew word translated as ‘pleasant’ is נָעִים na’iym – Strong’s H5273 which means, ‘pleasant, delightful, lovely, surpass in beauty’. Not only is it a functional thing to praise יהוה, but it is also something that surpasses beauty!!! The Hebrew word translated as ‘fitting’ is נָאוֶה naveh – Strong’s H5000 which means, ‘comely, lovely, becoming, fitting’, and is thought to come from either נָאָה na’ah – Strong’s H4998 which means, ‘to be comely or befitting, be at home’, or from the root נָוֶה naveh – Strong’s H5116 which means, ‘habitation, dwelling, pasture, meadow, who remains, abode of shepherd or flocks’. What we can see here, as we understand these words, is that to ‘praise’ Yah is not only lovely and beautiful, functional and pleasing, it is where we feel at home – in other words, our praise should come from a complete place of comfort, and a secure boasting of who our Mighty Master, Redeemer and King is! How many of you love to sing in the shower or sing when you are alone, all because you are ‘comfortable’ in your environment? Well, that is what praise for יהוה should be, wherever we are – we should ‘feel at home’ in our confident boasting of beautiful praise for יהוה our Elohim! Now that you should understand the words being expressed here, let me ask you how your praise of Yah is – is it good, pleasant and fitting, or has it been the complete opposite and non-existent? Everything that has breath praise Yah – and make a bold boast of his comeliness and esteem, aměn!
Ok, now that we have established a little on what praise for Yah is, I would like us to dig deeper into a very wonderful Psalm of Praise, in a message called, ‘PRAISE YAH!’. To do that please turn with me to Tehillim/Psalm 111 (Read)
Tonight we are going to look at a whole lot of words and word pictures as we dissect this wonderful Psalm of praise for our Master יהוה. You will see in your Scriptures that this Tehillah/Psalm has in its 10 verses, the 22 letters of the Hebrew Alphabet in bold before each statement or boasting praise! From Aleph to Taw, and it is with this framework in mind that I want us to see how exciting this Tehillah/Psalm of praise for Yah is! Each phrase or line in the Hebrew begins with a letter of the Hebrew Alphabet, and therefore this could be simply expressed as an ‘alphabetic song of praise for יהוה’. Having said that I want to go through each letter of the Alphabet and its corresponding line or phrase that is being sung, in order for us to see the power and fullness of why praise for יהוה is ‘good, pleasant and fitting’.
The first letter in the Hebrew Alphabet is the letter – א – and is known as ‘aleph’. In this Tehillah/Psalm we do not see the Aleph as the first letter being used, but rather we see the term – הַלְלוּ יָהּ – ‘HalleluYah’ being written first, before the Alphabetical song of praise begins, and so in many ways this הַלְלוּ יָהּ – ‘HalleluYah’ or ‘Praise Yah!’ could best be understood as a title for this Tehillah/Psalm 111. So as we look at this Psalm we are able to glean from this the ‘Aleph to Taw’ of praise for יהוה, who is the first and last!
Ḥazon/Revelation 1:8 “I am the ‘Aleph’ and the ‘Taw’, Beginning and End,” says יהוה “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
As we look at each phrase with the corresponding letter of the Alphabet that begins the statement, I will also be showing you the corresponding Hebrew pictographic letter from the ancient script, which will further help us understand the power of this boastful praise for יהוה.
Let’s begin…
Verse 1 – Aleph and Bet
א – Aleph – I thank יהוה with all my heart!
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is אוֹדֶה – ‘odey’ which comes from the root word יָדָה yadah – Strong’s H3034 and literally means ‘to throw, shoot or cast, to confess, laud with praise, extol, i.e., make a public confession of the attributes and acts of power of a person’ and comes from the word יָד yad – Strong’s H3027 which means ‘hand’ and so the expression of giving thanks is understood in the Hebrew as ‘extending the hands in praise’ – that is why Sha’ul tells us in Timotiyos Aleph/1 Timothy 2:8 that men everywhere should lift up their hands that are set-apart in prayer – our expression of giving thanks with the extended hands that are set-apart is in our willing obedience to working unto Elohim (extending the hand) in all we do – and at the same time giving Him esteem and praise. Giving thanks is not a silent matter and it must be seen in our work ethic too, as our actions may often speak louder than words! With the Torah of Elohim written on the tablets of our heart – our giving thanks to Him with all our heart is a bold declaration of our loving-commitment to walking in total obedience and guarding to do all He has commanded us! This is the beginning of our praise for יהוה!
The ancient script has this letter א (Aleph) pictured as which is ‘the head of an ox’ and represents ‘strength’, meaning ‘muscle’, as the ox is the strongest of the livestock animals. This also carries the meaning of ‘yoke’, as an ox is placed in a yoke in order to plough or pull a heavy load in the right direction. This can also picture for us the ‘red heifer’ sacrifice that יהושע Messiah fulfilled! יהוה is the beginning of our strength, and our ability to be strong and not be afraid is in יהוה, who has become our deliverance:
Yeshayahu/Isaiah 12:2 “See, Ěl is my deliverance, I trust and am not afraid. For Yah, יהוה, is my strength and my song; and He has become my deliverance.”
How are you giving thanks? Is your boastful praise of our Deliverer done with complete trust and confidence in the One who makes us strong? And are you being ‘led forth in praise of Yah!’?
ב – Bet – In the company of the straight and of the congregation.
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is בְּסוֹד – ‘b’sod’– which comes from the root word סוֹד sod – Strong’s H5475 which means, ‘council, circle, company, assembly, fellowship, secret counsel, intimacy with El’.
The ancient script has this letter ב (Bet) pictured as which is a ‘tent floor plan’, and means, ‘house’ or ‘tent’. It represents ‘family’ and the importance of those who are inside the tent as opposed to the tent structure itself.
Here we are able to see how important praise is in the assembly or gathering of the set-apart ones!!! It is in the assembly of the ‘straight’, where we are able to give a unified praise in our boasting of the goodness of יהוה. The Hebrew word for ‘straight ones’ is יְשָׁרִים – ‘y’shariym’ which is the plural derived from the root word יָשָׁר yashar – Strong’s H3477, and means, ‘right, straight, upright and righteous’. A derivative of this word is יְשֻׁרוּן Yeshurun – Strong’s H3484, which is used 4 times in Scripture, and is used as a symbolic name for Yisra’ĕl, in describing Her perfect character in being the true upright one, being knit together as One in Messiah, as the Dwelling Place/Tent of the Most High!
Tehillim/Psalm 35:18 “I give You thanks in the great assembly; I praise You among a mighty people.”
Verse 2 – Gimel and Dalet
ג – Gimel – Great are the works of יהוה.
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is גְּדֹלִים – ‘g’doliym’ – which comes from the root word גָּדוֹל gadol – Strong’s H1419 and means, ‘great, highest, mighty, marvellous’, and Dawiḏ says in:
Shemuʼĕl Bet/2 Samuel 7:22 “You are great indeed, O Master יהוה. For there is none like You, and there is no Elohim but You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.”
We serve a great Ěl who must be greatly praised!!!
The ancient script has this letter ג (Gimel) pictured as – which is ‘a foot’ and carries the meaning to ‘walk, gather, carry’, as clearly referring to the functions of a foot; and it can also give the meaning of a gathering of people, and we know that ‘feet’ in Hebrew speaks of one’s walk and ability to keep the Feasts of יהוה, and represents one’s ‘walk!
The Feasts of יהוה picture for us His Great works, as we are able to remember to celebrate His Great work of redemption as we guard to keep His Appointed Times/Feasts as commanded. Those who do not guard to keep and celebrate His feasts are unable to know His Great Works!
In speaking of those who overcome the beast and his mark, we see in;
Ḥazon/Revelation 15:3 “And they sing the song of Mosheh the servant of Elohim, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvellous are Your works, יהוה Ěl Shaddai! Righteous and true are Your ways, O Sovereign of the set-apart ones!”
ד – Dalet – Searched for by all who delight in them.
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is – דְּרוּשִׁים – ‘d’rushiym’ – which is written in the plural from the root word דָּרַשׁ darash – Strong’s H1875 which means, ‘to resort to, seek out, ask, avenge, consult, investigate, search carefully, make inquiry, question’.
This word carries more than simply just to take a quick peek, but rather emphasises the need to be digging deep in seeking out carefully and with great diligence, through consultation, and asking. When we are told to ‘seek’ first the Kingdom – we must recognise that this is not an instruction that gives the notion that you look at it and now that you have seen it you can go on your merry way – NO! To seek His Kingdom requires hard work and discipline each and every day.
The ancient script has this letter ד (Dalet) pictured as which is a ‘tent door’. It can also have the meaning of ‘a back and forth movement’, as one goes back and forth through a tent door and so speaks of an access point. It can also carry the meaning of ‘dangle’ or ‘hanging’, as the tent door would hang from the roof pole of the tent. It speaks a great deal in terms of understanding the door of the Tent of Appointment as being the only means of access into the Assembly of Elohim. When we consider that יהושע Messiah is The Door, then we further see our need to continually be looking at Him, and praising Him as we diligently are serving in spirit and truth, guarding to do all His commands – as we look continually into the perfect Torah of Freedom and not forget what we look like! We are told that we should seek and shall find, and knock and it will be opened for us, and our seeking and knocking is in our searching the Great works of יהוה, as we guard our duty of coming to the Door of His Appointed Times, including His weekly Sabbaths, which opens up for us a very satisfying discovery of His great works!
Yoḥanan/John 10:9 “I am the door. Whoever enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and shall go out and find pasture.”
Tehillim/Psalm 100:4 “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His Name.”
Verse 3 – Hey and Waw/Vav
ה – Hey – Splendour and greatness are His work.
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is – הוֹד hod – Strong’s H1935 which means, ‘splendour, honour, majesty, authority, beauty’.
Ḥaḇaqquq/Habakkuk 3:3 “Eloah comes from Tĕman, and the Set-apart One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendour shall cover the heavens, and His praise shall fill the earth.”
His Splendour will fill the earth – and what a sight that will be!!! The splendour of His perfect work will be seen by all!!!
The ancient script has this letter ה (Hey) pictured as , which is ‘a man standing with his arms raised out’. The Hebrew word “hey” means “behold”, as when looking at a great sight. This word can also mean “breath” or “sigh” as when one sighs in amazement when looking at a great sight. The meaning of the letter
is “behold, look, breath, sigh and reveal or revelation”; from the idea of revealing a great sight by pointing it out. It also carries for us the meaning of surrender, as we lift up our hands and submit to יהוה as we lift our hands in praise, declaring His authority under which we humbly submit!
Our praise of יהוה and the splendour and greatness of His work is fitting for us who lift up our hands in fervent praise!
ו – Waw/Vav – And His righteousness stands forever.
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is וְצִדְקָתוֹ – ‘v’tsidqatho’ meaning ‘and His righteousness’, with the letter ‘ו’ (waw) at the beginning of the word being translated as ‘and’. The root of this word is צְדָקָה tsedaqah – Strong’s H6666 meaning, ‘righteousness, righteous acts, merits, righteous deeds’ and one of my favourite verse says it so plainly:
Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 6:25 “And it is righteousness for us when we guard to do all this command before יהוה our Elohim, as He has commanded us.”
Mishlĕ/Proverbs 12:28 “In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.”
Tehillim/Psalm 119:142 “Your righteousness is righteousness forever, and Your Torah is truth.”
The ancient script has this letter ו (waw/vav) pictured as , which is a ‘peg’ or ‘tent peg’, which was used for securing or tying the tent or other items. The possibility of it having a Y-shape is to show that it prevents the rope from slipping off. The root meaning of this letter is ‘to add, secure or hook’. It is by the work of Messiah, in His own Blood, that has secured for us His Covenants of promise, to which we are added to; and His righteousness stands forever secured in Him!
Verse 4 – Zayin and Ḥet
ז – Zayin – He has made His wonders to be remembered.
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is זֵכֶר zeker – Strong’s H2143 which means, ‘a memorial. Remembrance, memory, remembered’, which is from the root verb זָכַר ‘zaḵar’ H2142 which means ‘to remember, or be mindful, or bring to remembrance’.
The ancient script has this letter ז (Zayin) pictured as , which is a mattock (a sharp digging tool such as an axe or pick) and carries the meaning of ‘a weapon or tool that cuts’. A mattock would be a tool that was also used to dig up the soil so that seed could be planted. As we continue to remember to guard His Sabbath and His Appointed Times, and remembering to keep His commands, we are able to break up the tillable soil of our hearts and allow His Word to be worked in us, allowing His Word to cut away any dross or weeds that arise and allow the fruit of righteousness to spring forth!
Hoshěa/Hosea 10:12 “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap according to kindness, break up your tillable ground, it is time to seek יהוה, till He comes and rains righteousness on you.”
The Feast of Pěsaḥ and Matzot shall also be for us a sign on our hands and a ‘reminder’ between our eyes! Our remembrance to keep his weekly Sabbath reminds us of the fullness of His work that shall be competed on the 7th day (7th Millennium), and there still remains an entering into that rest, hence our need to remember His work and that there remains a Sabbath keeping for the people of Elohim – something that has to be worked in us who have come out of the centuries of lies and traditions of falsehood!
ח – Ḥet – יהוה shows favour and is compassionate
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is חַנּוּן – ‘ḥanun’ – Strong’s H2587 which means, ‘favourable, gracious’ and comes from the root verb חָנַן ḥanan – Strong’s H2603 meaning, ‘show favour, be gracious to, dealt graciously with, given to them voluntarily, shown favour’.
Qorintiyim Bet/2 Corinthians 12:9 “And He said to me, “My favour is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, then, I shall rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Messiah rests on me.”
The Greek word translated as ‘sufficient’ is ἀρκέω arkeō – Strong’s G714 which is a primary verb meaning, ‘to assist, suffice, content, enough, satisfied, defend, ward off’ and is thought to be related to the Hebrew word אָדַר aḏar – Strong’s H142 meaning, ‘majestic, glorious’ – through the idea of ‘raising a barrier’. This is a very powerful picture here in relation to this Psalm of praise as we see:
The ancient script has this letter ח (ḥet) pictured as , which is a ‘tent wall’, and carries a meaning of ‘separation’, as a tent wall separates two halves of the tent, or can also reflect the outside walls that separate the people inside from that which is outside; and so can also symbolise protection and security to those inside, while picturing a cutting off of those who are outside. Hence this letter can mean ‘established, secure’ as well as ‘cut off, separated from’
His favour is sufficient for us, and is extended to us on the basis of His Covenant relationship with His called out Bride, who are secured in the precious Blood of Messiah that separates us from being ‘outside’, but are able to boldly come to the throne of favour, in order to receive compassion, and find favour for timely help.
Verse 5 – Tet and Yod
ט – Tet – He has given food to those who fear Him
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is טֶרֶף tereph – Strong’s H2964 which means, ‘prey, food, meat, spoil’.
Yoḥanan/John 6:35 “And יהושע said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall not get hungry at all, and he who believes in Me shall not get thirsty at all.”
יהושע is the Bread of Life and He feeds us our lawful bread, He fills us and fills our baskets with good!
The ancient script has this letter ט (Tet) pictured as , which is ‘a container made of wicker or clay’. Containers were a very important item among the nomadic Hebrews. They were used for storing grains and other items. Wicker baskets were used as nets for catching fish. The meanings of this letter are ‘basket, contain, store and clay’. We as clay, do not ask the Potter why He made us the way we are, we simply recognise that He is the One who fills that which He made, for which we give Him all praise, as we walk in the fear of Elohim!
י – Yod – He remembers His covenant forever.
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is יִזְכֹּר – ‘yizkor’ meaning ‘He remembers’ and comes from the root verb we have already discussed – זָכַר ‘zaḵar’ H2142 with the י (Yod) rendering who it is that remembers – and it is HE – that is יהוה. His Covenant has been established by the working of His Outstretched Arm and Hand – which will never be forgotten, for His Arm and Hand that has been revealed through the life, death and resurrection of Messiah will dwell with us forever – forever to be remembered!!!
The ancient script has this letter י (yod) pictured as , which is ‘an arm and hand’ and carries the meaning of ‘work, make, throw’, from the primary functions of the arm and hand, and it also represents worship or giving thanks in the extending of hands as a gesture of this. The work of one’s hands is the basic meaning of this letter!
Tehillim/Psalm 105:8 “He has remembered His covenant forever, the Word He commanded, for a thousand generations”
Tehillim/Psalm 143:5 “I remembered the days of old; I meditated on all Your works; I ponder on the work of Your hands.”
By His established Feasts we are able to remember His Covenant forever:
Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 11:25 “In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the renewed covenant in My blood. As often as you drink it, do this in remembrance of Me.”
Verse 6 – Kaph and Lamed
כּ – Kaph – He has shown His people the power of His works.
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is כֹּחַ koaḥ – Strong’s H3581 which means, ‘strength, power, might, ability’.
He has shown His Mighty Right Hand and revealed the power of His works!!!
Yeshayahu/Isaiah 43:1 “Who is this coming from Edom, with garments of glowing colours from Botsrah, who is robed in splendour, striding forward in the greatness of His strength? “It is I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”
The ancient script has this letter כּ (Kaph) pictured as , which is ‘an open hand’, and the meaning behind this letter is to ‘bend and curve’ (from the shape of a palm), as well as to ‘tame or subdue’ as one has been bent to another’s will (under their hand), as an open hand symbolises ‘submission’. This also can picture for us a palm or palm branch from the curved palm shape, picturing our praise to the One to whom we submit.
Yoḥanan/John 20:27-28 “Then He said to T’oma, “Bring your finger here, and see My hands. And bring your hand and put it into My side – and do not be unbelieving, but believing. 28 And T’oma answered and said to Him, “My Master and my Elohim!”
ל – Lamed – To give them the inheritance of the nations
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is לָתֵת – ‘latheyth’ which is from the root verb נָתַן Nathan – Strong’s H5414 which means, ‘to give, put, set, ascribe, devote, give over, deliver up’, with the לָ (lamed) being a preposition meaning ‘to’.
The ancient script has this letter ל (Lamed) pictured as , which is as a ‘shepherd’s staff’, representing ‘authority’ and can give the meaning of ‘to or toward’ and can represent that which pushes or pulls a flock in a direction, and can speak of authority or a yoke that is used to lead and guide, as well as the ability to bring back by Authority. יהוה has not only revealed His Hand, He is the One who leads us into the wilderness where He can speak to our heart and we can call Him our Husband and give Him all the praise that is due to His Name (Hoshěa/Hosea 2:14)!!!
Miḵah/Micah 7:14 “Shepherd Your people with Your rod, the flock of Your inheritance, who dwell alone in a forest, in the midst of Karmel. Let them feed in Bashan and Gil’ad, as in days of old.”
Verse 7 – Mem and Nun
מַ – Mem – The works of His hands are truth and right-ruling.
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is מַעֲשֵׂי – ‘ma’asei’ which is from the root מַעֲשֶׂה maaseh – Strong’s H4639 meaning, ‘works, deeds, acts, labour’ and here it is referring to the works of יהוה. As we understand the work of His hands through the power of His Word, done in truth and right-ruling, we are able to see how it is only by His mighty works that we are able to be cleansed and restored to the Truth, in His Blood!
The ancient script has this letter מַ (Mem) pictured as , which is ‘water’, and also carries the meaning of ‘chaos’ (from the storms of the sea) and can also picture that which is mighty or massive as well as the unknown. We are also able to understand this letter as representing the nations, for the nations are often likened to the seas in Scripture. And so we are able to see that by the works of His Hands, we are drawn out of many muddied waters and cleansed to serve and worship Him in perfection and truth!
Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 10:22 “let us draw near with a true heart in completeness of belief, having our hearts sprinkled from a wicked conscience and our bodies washed with clean water.”
נ – Nun – All His orders are trustworthy
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is נֶאֱמָנִים – ‘neyeymaniym’ which is from the root word אָמַן aman – Strong’s H539 which means, ‘confirm, support, establish, faithful, believe’.
The ancient script has this letter נ (Nun) pictured as , which is a ‘sprouting seed’ and gives the idea of continuation or an offspring or an heir, speaking of that which sprouts forth will be the heir of the promise of continuation, and represents one’s life expectancy.
It is through the life, death and resurrection of Messiah (The Seed) that the trustworthy Word of Elohim has been established and confirmed. Messiah told us that He came to establish and fully proclaim the Torah, not to destroy it – He came to confirm and fully proclaim the life we too are able to have in Him, through the resurrection power that now lives in us! His word brings us back to Elohim and revives us, giving us newness of life and sure promise of eternity!
The Word of Elohim is our life (Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 32:47), and His instructions bring us back to life!
Tehillim/Psalm19:7 “The Torah of יהוה is perfect, bringing back the being; the witness of יהוה is trustworthy, making wise the simple”
Verse 8 – Samek and Ayin
ס – Samek – They are upheld forever.
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is סְמוּכִים – ‘s’muḵiym’ and is from the root word סָמַךְ samaḵ – Strong’s H5564 which means, ‘to lean, lay, rest, support, uphold, sustain’, and can also carry the meaning, ‘to grab hold of’.
Tehillim/Psalm 119:116 “Support me according to Your word, that I might live; and put me not to shame because of my expectation.”
It is by the Word of Elohim that we are supported and upheld, that we might live and praise His Mighty Name! We are to ‘grab hold of’ His commands and cling to Him in total trust; in order that we do not fall, and find ourselves leaning on our own understanding!
The ancient script has this letter ס (Samek) pictured as , which is a thorn and has the meanings of ‘pierce and sharp’ and can also carry the meaning of ‘a shield’, as thorn bushes were used by shepherds to build a wall to enclose their flock in the night against the attack of predators. Another meaning would be ‘to grab hold of’ as a thorn is a seed that clings to hair and clothing. The Word of Elohim is sharper than a doubled edged sword and when we find that we do not grab hold of His word and allow His Word to be our shield of faith, we may find ourselves being pierced through with sin and compromise! Our praise we have for our Master is that in Him we are upheld forever, for He is the shield of our Help, as He Himself took the crown of thorns upon His head, bearing our sin and shame that we may be found to be shielded in Him! And now we are firmly equipped in our Master to establish His Torah in our lives, firmly grabbing hold of His commands:
Romiyim/Romans 3:31 “Do we then nullify the Torah through the belief? Let it not be! On the contrary, we establish the Torah.”
ע – Ayin – Performed in truth and straightness.
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is עֲשׂוּיִם – ‘asuyim’ which comes from the root word עָשָׂה asah – Strong’s H6213 meaning, ‘to do, work, make, produce, to act with effect, to observe, to bring about, institute’ and can also mean, ‘celebrate’. The orders of יהוה are straight, rejoicing the heart, and His orders are ‘performed’ in straightness – that is too say that there is no cutting corners with His orders. They are observed in complete truth, and produce in us the ability to truly celebrate His deliverance with joyous praise; and our need to have our eyes fixed on the truth are of critical importance, especially in our ability to praise Him with all our heart!
The ancient script has this letter ע (Ayin) pictured as , which is an ‘eye’ and carries the meaning ‘to watch, pay attention, take heed, look’ in the understanding of ‘keeping one’s eye on something’ and illustrates the importance of what one sets their eyes upon. We are to fix our eyes upon the Prince and Perfecter of our faith and guard His commands with great joyous celebration for His great works! When our eyes are fixed on the Truth – the very thing we love, we will not be swayed by wrong paths and not let our eyes be lured to lawlessness and sin, but rather serve in perfection and truth:
Tehillim/Psalm 119:127-128 “Therefore I have loved Your commands more than gold, even fine gold! 128 Therefore all Your orders I count as right; I have hated every false way.”
Verse 9 – Pey and Tsadi and Qoph
פ – Pey – He sent redemption to His people.
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is פְּדוּת peduth – Strong’s H6304 which means, ‘ransom, division, redemption’. The Word made flesh was sent to redeem us, and in Him we have redemption through His blood, for He came to redeem us from all lawlessness, and cleanse us to be a people for His possession. His Word returns not empty but accomplishes all it has been sent for.
The ancient script has this letter פ (pey) pictured as , which is an ‘open mouth’ and carries the meaning of ‘speak and blow’ from the functions of the mouth, and can also have the meaning of ‘scatter’ by blowing. In representing the mouth it can also picture the lips of a mouth, which are the ‘edges of the mouth’, and can also refer to things with edges, such as a sword or beard! His word endures forever and by His Word He has sent us redemption, and as we remember Him in all our ways, we guard His Word and praise Him greatly!
Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 24:18 “But you shall remember that you were a slave in Mitsrayim, and that יהוה your Elohim redeemed you from there. Therefore I am commanding you to do this word.”
צִ – Tsadi – He has commanded His covenant forever
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is צִוָּה – ‘tsuvah’, which comes from the root word צָוָה tsavah – Strong’s H6680 which means, ‘to lay charge (upon), give charge to, command, order, appoint, commission, ordain’.
The ancient script has this letter צִ (Tsadi) pictured as , which is ‘a man on his side’, and it can represent the act of lying on one’s side in order to hunt or chase, when crouching in concealment, as well as laying one’s self down for another. We can also see how this can represent that which comes forth from the side! This can also picture for us a fish hook, giving us the meaning of ‘hunt or fish’. His Covenant is forever and in Him having laid down His life for us, He calls us and commissions us to go and make taught ones of the nations, as we too become fishers of men!
ק – Qoph – Set-Apart and awesome is His Name
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is קָדוֹשׁ qadosh – Strong’s H6918 which means, ‘set-apart, consecrated’, and His Name is to be forever praised:
Tehillim/Psalm 113:3 “From the rising of the sun to its going down, the Name of יהוה is praised.”
This verse together with the one we are looking at makes great sense when understanding the letter ק (Qoph) in the ancient text.
The ancient script has this letter ק (Qoph) pictured as , which is a ‘horizon’ and depicts the elements of ‘time’, as it pictures the sun in its rising and setting. It therefore carries the meaning of ‘circle’ or ‘to go around’, representing for us both, appointed cycles or times as well as eternity. His Set-Apart Name is to be praised forever!
Verse 10 – Resh and Shin and Taw
ר – Resh – The fear of יהוה is the beginning of wisdom
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is רֵאשִׁית rěshith – Strong’s H7225 which means, ‘beginning, chief, first fruits, foremost’ and comes from the primitive root word ראֹשׁ rosh – Strong’s H7218 which means, ‘head, beginning, top, chief’.
The ancient script has this letter ר (Resh) pictured as , which is ‘the head of a man’ and carries the meaning of ‘top, beginning, first, chief’, as in being the top of the body or the head of a tribe and the one who rules; and also speaks of possession or inheritance that is decided by the chief.
Our true life of praise unto יהוה, our Head, begins when we fear Him, He is the beginning of our strength and true praise entails a true fear of the One who is Chief over us!
שֵׂ – Sin – All those doing them have a good understanding
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is שֵׂכֶל seḵel – Strong’s H7922 which means, ‘insight, discretion, prudence, wisdom’. It is through continual meditating upon the Word and the doing of the Word that we gain understanding and insight and are able to rightly divide the truth.
The ancient script has this letter שֵׂ (Sin) pictured as , which is ‘two front teeth’ and carries the meaning of ‘sharp or press, chew or devour’, which is what the teeth do and also speaks of the sharpened word that comes forth from the mouth as the teeth ‘chew’ or meditate on the Truth, making what comes forth pure and sharp! It also carries the understanding of consuming or destroying – as teeth do to food.
As we ‘chew on’, that is to meditate upon, the Word of Elohim, we are made wise and gain good understanding in our being ‘doers’ of the Word!
ת – Taw – His praise is enduring forever.
The Hebrew word that begins this phrase is תְּהִלָּתוֹ – ‘t’hillato’ which is from the root word תְּהִלָּה tehillah Strong’s H8416 means, ‘praise, or a song of praise’ and comes from the word הָלַל halal Strong’s H1984 which we discussed at the beginning, and means, ‘to shine; to be boastful; to be clear; to make a show; to rave; be foolish; to celebrate; praise, cheer, brag or extol, i.e., extol the greatness or excellence of a person, object or event.’
From start to ‘forever’ our boasting in our Master must endure forever!!!
The ancient script has this letter ת (Taw) pictured as , which is a picture of ‘crossed sticks’ which means ‘to seal or covenant’ or ‘mark’ or ‘sign’. This also pictures the two Houses of Yehuḏah and Yisra’ĕl being brought together as One in Messiah – the purpose for which He came! His Covenant with His Bride has been secured in His Blood and we have been sealed by the Set-Apart Spirit for the day of redemption.
This is in a nutshell a Psalm that expresses the Aleph to Taw of praise – or rather, the praise that is due to our Master, Redeemer and King, The Aleph and Taw – יהושע Messiah!!! I hope that your praise for our great and Awesome King has been stirred – stirred to be bold and stirred to be ‘good, pleasant and fitting!’.
Tehillim/Psalm 147:1 “Praise Yah! For it is good to sing praises to our Elohim. For it is pleasant – praise is fitting.”
יהוה bless you and guard you; יהוה make His face shine upon you and show you favour; יהוה lift up His face to you and give you Shalom!
(for future reference, please see the ancient Hebrew Alphabet chart below)