Over centuries, the psalms became part of the synagogue service, so that not less than 250 individual verses are included in the traditional liturgy. Entire psalms are included in the daily worship services and special ones are added for every festival of the Jewish year. Psalms are recited daily as an act of piety and for every occasion celebrating the life of the Jew and honoring the departure from that life.
The most common type of Psalm is a hymn of praise, extolling God's majesty, greatness, mercy and protective powers. Another is a lament, characterized by a description of national calamity or personal suffering in which the author protests his innocence and integrity and pleads for divine assistance. Some of these laments are termed "psalms of confidence" by some scholars, for their expression of absolute certainty of God's protection. Other psalms are apparently meant to be instructive, to teach the way of living that is pleasing to God.
To the psalmists, God guided and controlled the universe, brought order out of chaos, protected the weak and punished evil. God's will was made known to Israel through Torah, which alone led away from ruin to well-being.
The choice of the psalms that
follow is a subjective, but hopefully representative sampling. The further
hope is that you will want to look deeper into Sefer Tehillim and
discover its many beauties for yourself. The Hebrew names for God that
are used in Psalms include, among others, the four letter Divine Name represented
by the Hebrew letters, Yod, Hey, Vav, Hey, and often translated by non-Jewish
sources as Yahweh or Jehovah. The rabbinical tradition vocalized the Holy
Name as "Adonai" "Lord" or "My Lord"(actually only verbalized in
prayer, never casually). I have chosen to de-emphasize the [English] masculine
"Lord", retaining the Hebrew "Adonai".Though wishing to remain faithful
to the Hebrew as composed, I also have elected to make changes to
masculine pronouns in these English translations. This is in keeping with
the philosophy of Temple Israel regarding gender sensitivity and our desire
to have our sacred texts and liturgy relate to all.
| Psalm 1
"Happy is the one..." Contrasts the fate of the righteous and the wicked. |
Psalm
100
"Shout for joy all the earth" A brief psalm of thanksgiving. |
| Psalm 3
"Adonai, how many have my enemies become" A prayer expressing trust in God's help. |
Psalm
113
"From the rising of the sun to its setting, Adonai's name is to be praised." |
| Psalm 8
"What is humanity that you are mindful of them" A meditation on God's works and the human role in them. |
Psalm
114
"When Israel went out of Egypt... the mountains leaped like rams" A psalm praising the delivery from slavery. |
| Psalm 13
"How long will you forget me..." Anxiety and strain produce this cry. |
Psalm
117
The shortest psalm is a Hallelujah written in two verses. |
| Psalm
15
"Who shall dwell in Your holy mountain" Lists ethical qualifications for access to the Divine Presence. |
Psalm
121
"Who keeps Israel neither slumbers, nor sleeps" Rivaled only by Psalm 23 as an expression of trust in God. |
| Psalm
19
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable..." A hymn of praise that also extols the way of Torah. |
Psalm
122
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. |
| Psalm
23
"Adonai is my shepherd" The ideal of divine favor and protection. |
Psalm
126
"They that sow in tears will reap in joy" Praise for the return from exile. |
| Psalm
24
"The earth is Adonai's and its fullness..." Another ode to righteous conduct as the qualities needed to stand in the Holy Presence. |
Psalm
128
"Adonai will bless you from Zion" This psalm equates happiness and prosperity with religious-righteous conduct. |
| Psalm
29
"Adonai will give strength to Your people, Adonai will bless Your people with peace" The voice of the Eternal is heard through natural phenomena. |
Psalm
130
"I wait for Adonai, my soul waits and in Your word I hope." |
| Psalm
86
"Teach me, Adonai, Your way, that I may walk in Your truth." Another cry for Divine aid. |
Psalm
133
"How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity." |
| Psalm
92
"The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree" A thanksgiving song of optimism in the face of harsh realities. |
Psalm
137
"If I should forget you,O' Jerusalem" A moving psalm of loss, pain and bitterness. |
| Psalm
97
"Light is sown for the righteous." God's reign will produce justice. |
Psalm
146
"Hallelujah. Praise Adonai, O' my soul" God's help is sure. |
© 1998 Temple Israel of Northern Westchester. Last Modified: 06/03/1998
Happy is the one who has not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of scorners. But whose delight is in the Torah of Adonai; and in Torah meditates day and night. And who shall be like a tree planted by streams of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season; its leaf shall not wither, and whatever you do you shall prosper. Not so the wicked: For they are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For Adonai knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.
Go to the Psalm Index , the Religious Living Page or Temple Israel Home Page
PSALM 3
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Avshalom his son. Adonai, how many are my enemies become! Many are they that rise up against me: Many there are who say of my soul, "There is no help for him in God" [Selah] But you, Adonai, are a shield for me; My glory and the lifter of my head. I called to Adonai with my voice and You answered me from Your holy mountain. [Selah] I lie down and sleep; I awake for Adonai supports me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands that surround me and have set themselves against me. Arise, Adonai, save me, my God; for you have struck all my enemies on the jaw, you have broken the teeth of the wicked. Salvation belongs to Adonai; Your blessing be upon Your people. [Selah]
Go to the Psalm Index , the Religious Living Page or Temple Israel Home Page
PSALM 8
To the Director upon the Gittit, a Psalm of David. Adonai, our God, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, who has set Your glory upon the heavens. From the mouths of infants and nursing children You have established strength because of your enemies, that You might stop the enemy and avenger. When I behold Your heavens, the works of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have established; What is humanity that you are mindful of them? And our children that You visit them? You have made them a little lower than gods, and crowned them with glory and honor. You have given them dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under our feet: All sheep and oxen and also the beasts of the field; The birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea; whatever passes through the sea ways. Adonai, our God, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!
Go to the Psalm Index , the Religious Living Page or Temple Israel Home Page
PSALM 13
For the Director, A Psalm of David. How long will you forget me, O Adonai? Forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Look, and answer me, Adonai my God; Brighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; lest my enemy say I have overcome him; And my foes rejoice when I fall. But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to Adonai because you have rewarded me with favor.
Go to the Psalm Index , the Religious Living Page or Temple Israel Home Page
