The “Remez” in the 23rd Division of Psalms
What’s a Remez? In Jewish hermeneutics, (interpretation of Scripture), a Remez is a hidden message, or a deeper meaning found below the surface or behind the words. You can read about a Remez in Revelation 7 and one in Genesis 5
David, the Shepherd Boy who became King, was without a doubt a “PRAISER’S PRAISER”. Psalm 23, which some of us were taught at Grandma, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Bible Memory and can recite it on a dime, has some of the most richest theology embedded within each verse, which showed how someone like David, who had flaws, faults and failures, came before His Lord and His God with such powerful heartfelt spirit filled adoration to the God of His Salvation. There is no inspired title to this Psalm, and none is needed, for it records no special event, and needs no other key than that which every Christian may find in his own bosom.
It is David's Heavenly Pastoral; a surpassing ode, which none of the daughters of music can excel. The clarion of war here gives place to the pipe of peace, and he who so lately bewailed the woes of the Shepherd tunefully rehearses the joys of the flock. Sitting under a spreading tree, with his flock around him, like Bunyan's shepherd boy in the Valley of Humiliation, we picture David singing this unrivaled pastoral with a heart as full of gladness as it could hold; or, if the psalm be the product of his after years, we are sure that his soul returned in contemplation to the lonely water brooks which rippled among the pastures of the wilderness, where in early days she had been wont to dwell.
This is the pearl of Psalms, whose soft and pure radiance delights every eye; a pearl of which Helicon need not be ashamed, though Jordan claims it. Of this delightful song it may be affirmed that its piety and its poetry are equal, its sweetness and its spirituality are unsurpassed.
In this lesson, you will find in Psalm 23 the twelve(12) names of our Lord and our God hidden in this very familiar. The names are revealed by His promises and His works and they remind us of our Heavenly Father’s ever-present love, peace, comfort, help, and more
Psalm 23(King James Version)
The Lord is my shepherd(He is Jehovah-Raah-The Lord, my Shepherd)
I shall not want.(He is Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord, my Provider)
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters
.(He is Jehovah Shalom-The Lord, my Peace)
3 He restoreth my soul:
He is Jehovah Rapha(The Lord that healeth)
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. .
(He is Jehovah Tsidkeneau-The Lord of Righteousness)
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
(He is Jehovah Shammah-The Lord is Present)
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. (He is Jehovah Ezer-The Lord is Help)
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies
(He is Jehovah-Nissi-The Lord, my Standard of Victory):
Thou anointest my head with oil;(He is Jehovah-Mekoddishkem-The Lord, my Holiness, my Sanctification)
my cup(He is Jehovah-Manah-The Lord my Portion)
runneth over.(He is El Shaddai, the God of "more than enough")
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.(He is Jehovah-Cheleq-The Lord my Inheritance)
Jehovah: Jehovah is translated as “The Existing One” or “Lord.” The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah meaning “to be” or “to exist.” It also suggests “to become” or specifically “to become known”…this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly
Jehovah Raah-This denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Rô’eh from which Raah derived, means “shepherd” in Hebrew. A shepherd is one who feeds or leads his flock to pasture (Ezekiel 34:11-15). An extend translation of this word, rea’, is “friend” or “companion.” This indicates the intimacy God desires between Himself and His people. When the two words are combined…Jehovah Raah…it can be translated as “The Lord my Friend.”
Jehovah Jireh Jehovah-Jireh is a symbolic name given to Mount Moriah by Abraham to memorialize the intercession of God in the sacrifice of Isaac by providing a substitute for the imminent sacrifice of his son.(Genesis 22).
Jehovah Shalom Shalom is a derivative of shâlêm (which means "be complete" or "sound") Shalom is translated as "peace" or "absence from strife." Jehovah-Shalom is the name of an altar built by Gideon in Ophrah.(Judges 6:24)
Jehovah Rapha: Rapha (râpâ’) means “to restore”, “to heal” or “to make healthful” in Hebrew. When the two words are combined – Jehovah Rapha – it can be translated as
“Jehovah Who Heals.” (Jeremiah 30:17; Jeremiah 3:22; Isaiah 30:26; Isaiah 61:1; Psalm 103:3).
Jehovah Tsidkeneau Tsedek (tseh'-dek), from which Tsidkenu derived, means "to be stiff," "to be straight," or "righteous" in Hebrew. When the two words are combined - Jehovah Tsidkenu - it can be translated as "The Lord Who is our Righteousness." (Jeremiah 23:6; Jeremiah 33:16)
Jehovah Shamnah Shammah is derived from the Hebrew word sham, which can be translated as "there." Jehovah Shammah is a symbolic name for the earthly Jerusalem. The name indicates that God has not abandoned Jerusalem, leaving it in ruins, but that there will be a restoration. (Ezekiel 48:35)
Jehovah Ezer is translated as the "LORD [my] Help" or the "LORD [our] Help" as discussed below. Strictly speaking "Jehovah 'Ezer" is not one of the classic Names of God, because the Scripture never specifically declares "His Name is Jehovah 'Ezer". The writer of Hebrews however does describe God as "the Lord(is) my Helper" (where the verb "is" has been added by the translators) (Heb 13:6)
Jehovah-Nissi Nes (nês), from which Nissiderived, means "banner" in Hebrew. In Exodus 17:15, Moses, recognizing that the Lord was Israel's banner under which they defeated the Amalekites, builds an altar named Jehovah-Nissi (the Lord our Banner). Nes is sometimes translated as a pole with an insignia attached. In battle opposing nations would fly their own flag on a pole at each of their respective front lines. This was to give their soldiers a feeling of hope and a focal point. This is what God is to us: a banner of encouragement to give us hope and a focal point.
Jehovah-Mekoddishkem Mekoddishkem derives from the Hebrew word qâdash meaning "sanctify," "holy," or "dedicate." Sanctification is the separation of an object or person to the dedication of the Holy. When the two words are combined - Jehovah Mekoddishkem - it can be translated as "The Lord who sets you apart." (Exodus 31:13)
Jehovah-Manah something weighed out, i.e. (generally) a division; specifically (of food) a ration; also a lot -- such things as belonged, (Psalm 16:5)
El Shaddai- The Hebrew word for God Almighty is El Shaddai – the God who is more than enough – more than sufficient. It means that He has the power to complete promises of blessings and prosperity. Everything God does is over the top, more than enough, a surplus, super-abundant, overflowing, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over! When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers."
Genesis 17:1-2 NIV
Jehovah-Cheleq The Lord’s merciful kindness (Psalms 117:2)
Photography: Mr. James C. Lewis from his "ICONS OF THE BIBLE" Series,
except specified** Used with permission
What’s a Remez? In Jewish hermeneutics, (interpretation of Scripture), a Remez is a hidden message, or a deeper meaning found below the surface or behind the words. You can read about a Remez in Revelation 7 and one in Genesis 5
David, the Shepherd Boy who became King, was without a doubt a “PRAISER’S PRAISER”. Psalm 23, which some of us were taught at Grandma, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Bible Memory and can recite it on a dime, has some of the most richest theology embedded within each verse, which showed how someone like David, who had flaws, faults and failures, came before His Lord and His God with such powerful heartfelt spirit filled adoration to the God of His Salvation. There is no inspired title to this Psalm, and none is needed, for it records no special event, and needs no other key than that which every Christian may find in his own bosom.
It is David's Heavenly Pastoral; a surpassing ode, which none of the daughters of music can excel. The clarion of war here gives place to the pipe of peace, and he who so lately bewailed the woes of the Shepherd tunefully rehearses the joys of the flock. Sitting under a spreading tree, with his flock around him, like Bunyan's shepherd boy in the Valley of Humiliation, we picture David singing this unrivaled pastoral with a heart as full of gladness as it could hold; or, if the psalm be the product of his after years, we are sure that his soul returned in contemplation to the lonely water brooks which rippled among the pastures of the wilderness, where in early days she had been wont to dwell.
This is the pearl of Psalms, whose soft and pure radiance delights every eye; a pearl of which Helicon need not be ashamed, though Jordan claims it. Of this delightful song it may be affirmed that its piety and its poetry are equal, its sweetness and its spirituality are unsurpassed.
In this lesson, you will find in Psalm 23 the twelve(12) names of our Lord and our God hidden in this very familiar. The names are revealed by His promises and His works and they remind us of our Heavenly Father’s ever-present love, peace, comfort, help, and more
Psalm 23(King James Version)
The Lord is my shepherd(He is Jehovah-Raah-The Lord, my Shepherd)
I shall not want.(He is Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord, my Provider)
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters
.(He is Jehovah Shalom-The Lord, my Peace)
3 He restoreth my soul:
He is Jehovah Rapha(The Lord that healeth)
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. .
(He is Jehovah Tsidkeneau-The Lord of Righteousness)
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
(He is Jehovah Shammah-The Lord is Present)
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. (He is Jehovah Ezer-The Lord is Help)
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies
(He is Jehovah-Nissi-The Lord, my Standard of Victory):
Thou anointest my head with oil;(He is Jehovah-Mekoddishkem-The Lord, my Holiness, my Sanctification)
my cup(He is Jehovah-Manah-The Lord my Portion)
runneth over.(He is El Shaddai, the God of "more than enough")
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.(He is Jehovah-Cheleq-The Lord my Inheritance)
Jehovah: Jehovah is translated as “The Existing One” or “Lord.” The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah meaning “to be” or “to exist.” It also suggests “to become” or specifically “to become known”…this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly
Jehovah Raah-This denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Rô’eh from which Raah derived, means “shepherd” in Hebrew. A shepherd is one who feeds or leads his flock to pasture (Ezekiel 34:11-15). An extend translation of this word, rea’, is “friend” or “companion.” This indicates the intimacy God desires between Himself and His people. When the two words are combined…Jehovah Raah…it can be translated as “The Lord my Friend.”
Jehovah Jireh Jehovah-Jireh is a symbolic name given to Mount Moriah by Abraham to memorialize the intercession of God in the sacrifice of Isaac by providing a substitute for the imminent sacrifice of his son.(Genesis 22).
Jehovah Shalom Shalom is a derivative of shâlêm (which means "be complete" or "sound") Shalom is translated as "peace" or "absence from strife." Jehovah-Shalom is the name of an altar built by Gideon in Ophrah.(Judges 6:24)
Jehovah Rapha: Rapha (râpâ’) means “to restore”, “to heal” or “to make healthful” in Hebrew. When the two words are combined – Jehovah Rapha – it can be translated as
“Jehovah Who Heals.” (Jeremiah 30:17; Jeremiah 3:22; Isaiah 30:26; Isaiah 61:1; Psalm 103:3).
Jehovah Tsidkeneau Tsedek (tseh'-dek), from which Tsidkenu derived, means "to be stiff," "to be straight," or "righteous" in Hebrew. When the two words are combined - Jehovah Tsidkenu - it can be translated as "The Lord Who is our Righteousness." (Jeremiah 23:6; Jeremiah 33:16)
Jehovah Shamnah Shammah is derived from the Hebrew word sham, which can be translated as "there." Jehovah Shammah is a symbolic name for the earthly Jerusalem. The name indicates that God has not abandoned Jerusalem, leaving it in ruins, but that there will be a restoration. (Ezekiel 48:35)
Jehovah Ezer is translated as the "LORD [my] Help" or the "LORD [our] Help" as discussed below. Strictly speaking "Jehovah 'Ezer" is not one of the classic Names of God, because the Scripture never specifically declares "His Name is Jehovah 'Ezer". The writer of Hebrews however does describe God as "the Lord(is) my Helper" (where the verb "is" has been added by the translators) (Heb 13:6)
Jehovah-Nissi Nes (nês), from which Nissiderived, means "banner" in Hebrew. In Exodus 17:15, Moses, recognizing that the Lord was Israel's banner under which they defeated the Amalekites, builds an altar named Jehovah-Nissi (the Lord our Banner). Nes is sometimes translated as a pole with an insignia attached. In battle opposing nations would fly their own flag on a pole at each of their respective front lines. This was to give their soldiers a feeling of hope and a focal point. This is what God is to us: a banner of encouragement to give us hope and a focal point.
Jehovah-Mekoddishkem Mekoddishkem derives from the Hebrew word qâdash meaning "sanctify," "holy," or "dedicate." Sanctification is the separation of an object or person to the dedication of the Holy. When the two words are combined - Jehovah Mekoddishkem - it can be translated as "The Lord who sets you apart." (Exodus 31:13)
Jehovah-Manah something weighed out, i.e. (generally) a division; specifically (of food) a ration; also a lot -- such things as belonged, (Psalm 16:5)
El Shaddai- The Hebrew word for God Almighty is El Shaddai – the God who is more than enough – more than sufficient. It means that He has the power to complete promises of blessings and prosperity. Everything God does is over the top, more than enough, a surplus, super-abundant, overflowing, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over! When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers."
Genesis 17:1-2 NIV
Jehovah-Cheleq The Lord’s merciful kindness (Psalms 117:2)
Photography: Mr. James C. Lewis from his "ICONS OF THE BIBLE" Series,
except specified** Used with permission
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