tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76968592462902274492012-05-15T09:45:25.631+03:00A New PsalmRabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-35055797887355943432012-05-15T09:41:00.001+03:002012-05-15T09:45:25.640+03:00 Psalm 117 – A Witness to Universal Aspiration TEXT (Hebrew text at end) 1. Praise the LORD, all nations; extol Him, all the peoples,2. for his steadfast love overwhelms us, and the faithfulness of the LORD is eternal. Hallelujah. COMMENTARY Comments “One of the grandest” psalms (Kirkpatrick), exhibiting “ideas that are among the loftiest” in the Bible (McCullough, Interpreters’ Bible), Psalm 117Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-76900610470459990432012-05-08T10:13:00.000+03:002012-05-08T10:13:11.595+03:00Psalm 116 – Sharing News of Salvation TEXT (Hebrew text at end) 1. I love that the LORD hears my voice, my 1-pleas for mercy-1; 2. that He turned His ear to me. Thus during my life I would call:3. “The bands of death have surrounded me; the torments2 of Sheol have found me. I find torment2 and sorrow,” 4. and I would call on the name of the LORD, “O LORD, please save my soul.” 5. Merciful is the Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-78369775432505783252012-05-01T08:56:00.000+03:002012-05-01T08:56:33.895+03:00Psalm 115 – Trust in Idols or Trust in the Lord TEXT (Hebrew text at the end) 1. Not on our behalf, O LORD, not on our behalf—rather, bestow glory on behalf of Your name, for Your loving kindness and for Your faithfulness.2. Why do the nations say, ‘‘Where, then, is their God?” 3. when our God is in heaven and all that He wills, He does1. 4. Their idols are silver and gold, the creation of a man’Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-88568236042315335652012-04-24T09:17:00.001+03:002012-04-24T09:17:37.615+03:00               Psalm 114 – A Moment of Universal Inversion TEXT (Hebrew text at bottom) 1. On Israel’s departure from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue, 2. Judah became His sanctuary, Israel His dominion. 3. The sea saw and fled, the Jordan turned back; 4. the mountains skipped like rams, hills like young lambs. 5. What disturbs you, O sea, that you should Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-46369382630312812812012-04-17T10:10:00.001+03:002012-04-17T10:14:59.743+03:00Psalm 113 – Transcendence and Imminence Meet TEXT (Hebrew text at the end) 1. Hallelujah. Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.2. Let the name of the LORD be blessed from this time through forever.3. From the rising of the sun through its setting, praised is the name of the LORD.4. Elevated above all nations is the LORD; above the heavens is His glory. 5. Who is like the Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-55221672253109110032012-04-10T10:12:00.001+03:002012-04-10T10:15:07.262+03:00Psalm 112 – Imitatio Dei TEXT (Hebrew text at end) 1. Hallelujah. Happy is a man who fears the LORD, who keenly desires His commandments.2. His progeny will be the great1 of the land, a blessed generation of upright men.3. Abundance and wealth are in his house, and his righteousness lasts forever.4. 2-In the darkness he shines a light for the upright-2; he is merciful, compassionate, and Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-38707334946346570952012-04-02T18:29:00.000+03:002012-04-02T18:29:15.045+03:00 Psalm 111 – The Beginning of Wisdom TEXT (Hebrew text at end) 1.Hallelujah. I acclaim the LORD with a full heart, in the council of the upright, in the congregation. 2. Great are the works1 of the LORD, accessible to all who desire them.3. Glory and grandeur are His creation,2 and His righteousness lasts forever. 4. He has made1 of3 His wonders a remembrance. Merciful and compassionate is the Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-26221257590957996782012-03-27T08:35:00.000+02:002012-03-27T08:35:59.588+02:00 Psalm 110 – For David: A Polemic TEXT (Hebrew text at end) 1. Of David. A psalm. The LORD’s oracle to my lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make your enemies a stool for your feet.”2. The LORD sends forth from Zion the scepter of your might―subjugate1 your enemies! 3. Your people volunteer on your day of battle. 2-In majestic holiness, from the womb, from the dawn, yours is the dew of your Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-28356583714169102382012-03-20T11:30:00.003+02:002012-03-21T12:30:14.882+02:00Psalm 109 – Curse and Cause TEXT (Hebrew text at the end) 1. For the leader. Of David. A psalm. O God of my praise, do not be silent, 2. for the criminal’s mouth and deceit’s mouth, they open against me; they speak to me with lying tongue.3. They encircle me with words of hate; they attack me without cause.4. They respond to my love with accusation, while 1-I am all prayer.-15. They repay me Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-23635206885216857862012-03-13T10:22:00.000+02:002012-03-13T10:22:35.116+02:00Psalm 108 – Past Glory as Reassurance and Prayer TEXT (Hebrew text at end) 1. A song. A psalm. Of David. 2. My heart is firm, O God; I will sing, I will chant with all my glory.1 3. Awake, O harp and lyre! I will wake the dawn.4. I will praise You among the peoples, O LORD, I will chant of You among the nations; 5. for Your faithfulness is higher than heaven; Your steadfastness, than the sky.6. Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-55594576794291317952012-03-06T11:15:00.002+02:002012-03-06T11:20:38.635+02:00 Psalm 107 – O Redeemed TEXT (Hebrew text at the end) 1. Acclaim the LORD for He is good1; indeed, His steadfast love is eternal. 2. Let the redeemed of the LORD say that He has redeemed them from the hand of the adversary 3. and gathered them from the lands: from east, from west, from north, and from south.2 4. They strayed from their way in the wilderness, in the wasteland; they found no livingRabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-14326836549859934492012-02-28T09:11:00.001+02:002012-02-28T09:15:05.087+02:00 Psalm 106 – The Seven Sins TEXT (Hebrew text at the end) 1. Hallelujah. Acclaim the LORD for He is good1; indeed, His steadfast love is eternal.2. Who could recite the mighty accomplishments of the LORD, make all His praises heard? 3. Happy are those upholding justice, one doing right at all times.4. Remember me, O LORD, when You favor Your people; include me at the time of Your deliverance, 5. Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-25337065634064193042012-02-21T18:51:00.000+02:002012-02-21T18:51:26.990+02:00Psalm 105 – Citing History TEXT (Hebrew text at the end) 1. Give thanks to the LORD; invoke His name; make His deeds known among the peoples.2. Sing to Him, offer hymns to Him; tell of all His wonders.3. Glory in His sacred name; let every one of those who seek the LORD rejoice.4. Look to the LORD and to His might; seek His face constantly.5. Remember the wonders He has done, His portents and theRabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-49264274310242985962012-02-14T10:42:00.000+02:002012-02-14T10:42:39.984+02:00Psalm 104 - The Harmony of Creation TEXT (Hebrew text at the end) 1. Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, You are very great; You clothe yourself in glory and majesty. 2. Wrapped in light like a robe; spreading the heavens like a tent cloth;3. roofing His lofts with the waters, making the clouds His chariot, moving on the wings of wind,1 4. making winds1 His messengers, flaming fire His Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-55910497572681764212012-02-07T11:51:00.001+02:002012-02-07T11:55:14.334+02:00Psalm 103 - Blessings, Mine and the World's TEXT (Hebrew text at end) 1. Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, His holy name.2. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all 1-His gifts-1: 3. Forgiving all thy sins, healing all thy diseases.4. Redeeming thy life from the Pit, crowning thee with steadfast love and compassion.5. Providing plentiful good things for thy Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-88973914069188861812012-01-31T03:50:00.001+02:002012-01-31T03:53:32.730+02:00PSALM 102 – Ashes and Tears TEXT (Hebrew text at end) 1. A prayer of the afflicted when he grows faint and pours forth his complaint before the LORD. 2. O LORD hear my prayer; let my wailing come before You. 3. Do not hide Your face from me. In my day of distress; turn Your ear to me; on the day I call, answer me speedily.4. For my days pass away like smoke and my bones are burnt like a hearth.5.Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-59037464186052347212012-01-25T03:31:00.002+02:002012-01-25T03:40:53.827+02:00Psalm 101 - Toward an End to Corruption TEXT (Hebrew text at end) 1. Of David. A psalm. Kindness and justice I will sing; to You, O LORD, I will chant a hymn.12. I would study the way of the innocent—when will it come to me?! May I walk about in the innocence of my heart within my house.3. May I set nothing2 base before my eyes. I have hated acting wickedly; may it not cling to me.4. May a Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-48553017379927590412012-01-17T09:07:00.000+02:002012-01-17T09:07:42.444+02:00Psalm 100 –Thanksgiving TEXT (Hebrew text at end) 1. A thanksgiving psalm. Shout aloud to the LORD, all the earth; 2. serve the LORD with rejoicing; come before Him with joyous song.3. Know this: the LORD, He is God; He made us and we are His, His people, the flock of His pasture.4. Come into His gates with thanksgiving, His courts with acclamation. Thank Him! Bless His name! 5. For good is the Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-27300458975919945112012-01-10T09:55:00.001+02:002012-01-10T09:58:38.034+02:00Psalm 99 – Holy Is the Lord TEXT (Hebrew text at the end) 1. It is the LORD Who is king—let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned on cherubim—let the earth quake.2. The LORD is great in Zion, and exalted is He above all peoples.3. Let them praise Your name: “Great and awesome, holy is He.1”2 4. Indeed, “A king’s might is loving justice.”3 It was You who established equity; it was You Who made for Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-8298043287847192992012-01-03T09:47:00.000+02:002012-04-03T09:56:59.691+03:00 Psalm 70 – Hasten TEXT (Hebrew text at end) 1. For the leader. Of David. Lehazkir.1 2. Hasten, O God, to save me; O LORD, to aid me.3. May those who seek my life be disgraced and abashed; may those who wish me harm fall back in shame.4. May those who say “Aha! Aha!’’ over me retreat in disgrace.5. May all who seek You be glad and rejoice in You; may those who are eager for Your deliverance Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-22102698189646035262012-01-03T09:32:00.000+02:002012-01-03T09:32:47.169+02:0098 - Rivers Clap Hands TEXT  (Hebrew text at end) 1. A psalm.1 Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has worked marvels; His right hand, His holy arm, has given Him deliverance2.2. The LORD has made His deliverance2 known; in sight of the nations, He has revealed His righteousness2.3. He has remembered His steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-65788246384461688412011-12-27T11:06:00.001+02:002011-12-27T11:09:26.124+02:00Psalm 97 – Light, Sown for the Righteous TEXT (Hebrew text at end) 1. It is the LORD Who is king! Let the earth be glad, let the many distant lands1 rejoice. 2. Cloud and storm cloud round about Him, righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne.3. Fire goes before Him, burning His foes round about.4. His lightning bolts have lit up the world; the earth saw it and trembled; 5. Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-47459584473265957362011-12-20T09:24:00.001+02:002011-12-20T09:29:18.318+02:00Psalm 96 – A New Song TEXT (Hebrew text at the end) 1. Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2. Sing to the LORD, bless His name; proclaim His salvation day after day.3. Relate His glory among the nations, His marvels among all the peoples.4. For great is the LORD and much acclaimed; He is 1-more awesome than all-1 gods.5. For all the peoples’ gods are idols, whereas the Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-77568662401150292992011-12-13T11:32:00.000+02:002011-12-13T11:32:13.717+02:00 Psalm 95 – I Was Disgusted TEXT (Hebrew text at end) 1. Go forth, let us joyously sing to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the rock of our deliverance; 2. let us greet His presence with thanksgiving; with songs let us shout aloud to Him! 3. For the LORD is the great Deity, a great king over all gods,4. in Whose hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountains’ peaks are His.5. His is the sea Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7696859246290227449.post-24463399498049873462011-12-06T10:22:00.000+02:002011-12-06T10:22:16.027+02:00Psalm 94 – Deity of Retribution TEXT (Hebrew text at the end) 1. A Deity of retribution, the LORD, a Deity of retribution, has appeared!1 2. Rise up, judge of the earth; give back to the arrogant what they deserve! 3. Until when will the wicked, O LORD, until when will the wicked exult?4. They hold forth with defiant speech, all the evildoers uttering self-praise. 5. Your people, O LORD, they Rabbi Benjamin J. Segalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06231149208036087748noreply@blogger.com0