© 2011 Tara Mizrachi
About Psalms -
About Us
Sages have much to say about Psalms ("Tehillim" in Hebrew). Ancient as well as modern thinkers have weighed in on their importance - but the true testimonial is the experience of countless people from all walks of life, in all geographic locations, for thousands of years.
King David wrote most of the Psalms. He was born Three thousand fifty-one years ago. In his early life he worked as a shepherd with a special gift of music. Through his life he experienced all the trials, hardships and joys that each of us experience in our life. Through inspiration, he set his experiences to words and these words have been sung, danced, whispered and declared for thousands of years - touching the soul in miraculous ways.
This website was started by a Jewish woman in honor of her mother of blessed memory, who, after experiencing the miraculous healing and holiness of Psalms dedicated herself to sharing that special experience with others. It is a simple way that each of us can make the world a better place.
See how reciting of Psalms works in your life. It is said that Tehillim are like a special telephone that connects you with the Creator of the World You will make connections with the people you are helping - connections with the those who have recited Tehillim throughout history -
and connections with the Creator of the World.
בּס״ד
In loving memory of
Saporah bas Yosef
A MIRACLE IN A BOOK
Story after story is told of a soldier who survives a deadly military battle only to
later find that a bullet or piece of shrapnel has miraculously lodged in the Tehillim
book he carries in his pocket but may have hardly read. In fact, after hearing these
stories so many times, I began to wonder if it was all about the same soldier, until I
realized that many of these stories were told by the soldiers themselves who had survived.
The element of the miraculous is ever present in the Book of Psalms. Of all the books of the Torah it is the one book in which man is communicating with G-d. It is as if in the middle of the Torah, G-d says: "okay what do you have to say about all this? I created the whole universe, I made these predictions that didn't seem possible, I freed a group of slaves and gave them insights way beyond the historical period that such knowledge was possible, I'm listening all the time but especially now David, Asaph, Moshe go ahead it's your turn to add words to the miracles I have created for you" (my words of course).
It is fitting that these words were sung, and danced and expressed with love and hope spanning the generations, by men and women, young and old, rich and poor, by all faiths, and all varieties of religious observance. - Tehillim unites us all in our praise and gratitude for the One who creates all and who loves and has compassion for us even when we may not be deserving.
comment on Psalm 61:
"I will dwell in Your Tent forever,
I will take refuge in the shelter of Your wings...."
"Agurah b'ahalcha olamim, eheseh b'seser b'na..."
What does it mean to dwell in Hashem's Tent? ... in shelter of His wings?
A tent shelters one from the burning sun and the raging storm yet allows the wanderer easy access to enter and exit at will. There are no doors, no gates, nothing is locked or barred. All is open for you and I to dwell in Hashem's presence...
With wings one can do the impossible, to see from afar, to rise above the hills, to be carried on air.
Air, like the soul can be neither seen nor touched only its presence is felt.
Yet, light as air is it can lift the heaviest C5 cargo jet carrying tanks across the oceans,
skipping over mountains and never touching the ground.
Like the tent, the wings give shelter from the elements, yet they are very different.
The wings work together as one. Perhaps it is only by working together that we may truly fly.
"For neither from the East nor from the West, nor from the wilderness comes success.
For Hashem is the judge..."
"Ki lo mim motsa u mim a'arav v lo mi midbar hareem. Ki Elokim shofet..."
If I live my life with the awareness that Hashem is the source of my blessing - (not myself),
and Hashem is the true judge, the One I answer to - (not other people), then my life will be filled with humility,courage, contentment and truth.
"A world which manifests
Your lovingkindness
You did build..." "Olam chesed Yibaneh..."
Why does the Psalm state "You did build" (yibaneh) rather than "create" (bara) or "make" (oseh) ?
"Bara" is written in the Torah when Hashem "creates" heavens and earth. "Oseh" is written when Hashem "makes" peace in the heavens ("Oseh shalom bimromav"). But why does Hashem "build" a world of lovingkindness?
This suggests that the real world of Hashem is not created by a single utterance rather it is built like one builds a house - brick by brick, good deed by good deed, prayer by prayer. The way a world of lovingkindness happens is painstaking and deliberate. It requires many hands and much effort and love -even when we tire and feel like quitting.
To build a world of Hashem requires each of us, one by one, to live our life in the fullest way possible. The brick of our life may be the corner brick or part of the support beam. We may not be at the top of the highest point but our brick is no less important.
When Hashem sought to build the world it came from His lovingkindness. This teaches us that no matter how impossible things are to understand, whether it is a great personal struggle or a tragic world event, we know that Hashem builds a world which manifests His lovingkindness for each of us - and each of us assists Him daily in the great task of building his home.
Psalm 121
"I lift my eyes to the mountains from where will my help come? ...
Indeed the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps...
Hashem will guard you from all evil. He will guard your soul.
Hashem will guard your coming and going from now and for all time..."
During times of war and distress Psalm 121 has been for many a source of comfort and healing help. The Tehillim states that "the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps..." We may then ask why does a missile sent by evildoers ever reach its target? Why does illness ever prevail?
Is not God somehow distant or in slumber when injustice occurs? The Psalm says "the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers or sleeps." What does it mean to be a guardian? A guardian watches and protects yet lets the young one run with the risk of falling. He sets boundaries for safety yet allows exploration. He does so because He knows that this is the only way the young one may learn and grow and one day help the world to be a better place.
In a similar way during our our time in the finite physical world, while we are not assured of a life without hardship in any way, we are assured of God's protection in an infinite way. The Psalmist reveals: "He will guard you from all evil. He will guard your soul....from now and for all time..."
"...May Hashem favor us and bless us.
May He cause His countenance to shine among us..."
..."Elokim yehonenu viy varveynu va er panav itanu...."
The word "countenance" ("er panav") includes the word "light" ("er").
Perhaps it is through God's infinite light that when we allow the light of God
to be part of our life it shines within and among us.
Psalm of the Day
"Who is the man who desires life?
And loves days that he may see good?..."
"Mi ha ish hafetz chaim? Ohev yamim lirot tov?..."
What does it mean to "love days"?
Sometimes in the midst of a challenging occurance we may remember the day vividly. When we think it may be our last, or when our life is on the brink, that one day becomes all the more precious. What if we were to "love" our days whether they be "good" days or "bad" days or "ordinary" days?
From Hashem's perspective every day is precious. If we take on that viewpoint and love each day, accept each day as a loving gift from Hashem, give of our best effort from the moment we awaken to the moment we fall asleep - the Psalmist reveals "to see good" will surely result.
Psalm 19:8
"The Torah of Hashem is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of Hashem is trustworthy, making wise the simple..."
"Torat Hashem temiymah, Meshiybas nefesh
eydus Hashem ne'emanah, mah ki mas pesiy..."
The first seven sentences of Psalm 19 correspond to the 7 days of creation.
Passage 8 describes beautiful things about the Torah. This teaches that when we want to reach higher, we reach for the Torah. When we wish to elevate our spiritual awareness we reach for the Torah.
Yet the Torah emphasises the importance of a festive dairy meal on Shavuot. the day the Torah was received. Thus, we realize that our mission on this earth is not merely to enlighten ourselves spiritually but to bring the physical in - to bring holiness into all aspects of life: spiritual and physical
Psalm 84:2
"How beloved are Your dwelling places Hashem of Hosts.."
"Ma yedidos mishkeno seycha Hashem Tsevaos"
The term "Hashem of Hosts" refers to Hashem's sovereighy over all the worlds, spiritual and physical - everywhere and all that is.
The sons of Korah wrote this Tehillim declaring that Hashem's dwelling places are beloved. This was written after the Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed. After witnessing the devastation, memories etched into their minds, emotions and thoughts must have been overwhelming. At this moment, they witnessed a bird making its nest. In the midst of the Temple's ruins when it seemed all had been destroyed, Hashem's lovingkindness is sovereign over all - and His "dwelling places" are truly beloved.
Psalm 56:12
"In God I have put my trust. I will not fear.
For what can man do to me?..."
"BeElokim batachty. Lo ira. Ma aseh adam li?"
This topic calls for an answer. However, It is much easier to write about the distance between planets and the speed of light than to address the questions of human caused suffering.
Why does brother harm brother? Why does an eager young man with the world before him fall and never reach 19? Why do people thoughtlessly hurt eachother with words and deeds. Why?
Perhaps these questions are unanswerable. Therefore, it is left for us to give forgiveness and not judgement. To realize that Hashem is the one true judge who knows the heart and mind of every person. Thus, in the"Shema" prayer before sleep we give forgiveness to all
Perhaps it is better to ask what the Psalmist asks: "What can man do to me?"
Our lifetime is but a moment relative to Hashem's time. Once we realize and accept this, there is no fear of standing for what is right, for being brave and truthful and strong - not judging the why of the other - rather perservering in our own mission of our life that is but a moment - and yet is connected with the eternal.
This Psalm was recited in the Holy Temple on Rosh Hashanah - a day of many miracles:
"Sing joyously to God, our strength,
shout for joy to the God of Jacob.
Take up the hymn, sound the drum,
the pleasant harp and the lute.
Blow the shofar of Rosh Hashana..."
"Tiku bachodesh shofar.."
Psalm 22:2
"Oh God, Oh God, Why have You forsaken me?
Why are You so far from saving me?.."
"Eli, Eli, lama azav tani?..."
It is told that King David wrote this Psalm in foreknowledge of the time of Esther.
One could imagine the time before the miracle. When an order from the king was made to kill every Jewish man, women and child in all 127 provinces of the Persian empire. The forces in the world of material existence were insurmountable. So the Jews reached beyond.They prayed - loudly and softly, in groups and solely, wearing sack cloths and fasting, people of all backgrounds and ages bounded together in their pureness of faith and prayed.
And when the edict was revoked, the holocaust averted, then one could see the miracle that had taken place over many years. Only if all the dots were connected could one see the miracle in everyday events and realize that just like Esther the seemingly ordinary events of our lives are not ordinary after all.
When looked at from a distance, over time, the events of our lives may have a purpose that often is not apparent to us while we are in the midst of hardship.
Psalm 119:18
"Unveil my eyes that I may behold the unexplained things of
Your Torah...'
"Gal eyneni vi-abiyta niflaos mi toraseycha..."
We know that the Torah was entrusted to us by Hashem and yet so much of the Torah is beyond our understanding.
In this the 18th passage - (18 meaning "chai" life), the psalmist pleas: "Uncover my eyes so that I may see the wonders of Your Torah..." The word "unveil" is "Gal" in Hebrew - the same letters as the word "Lag" - perhaps a reference to the the special day we celebrate: Lag BaOmer.
We now come to Lag BaOmer. During the days between Passover and Shavuos - between our release from the bondage of slavery and the receiving of the Torah, the waters of the infinite and our true birth as a free people in service of Hashem - we celebrate the passing of a very special rabbi who had lived in a cave: Why do we celebrate this and why is there such a reference to plea for Hashem to "unveil my eyes that I may behold the unexplained things of Your Torah." ?
At the time of the first Lag BaOmer, Israel had been conquered by the Roman empire. It was a period of history in which the messianic era could have possibly begun. Two thousand years ago the factors were in place: there was a great military leader Bar Kochba, great spiritual leaders like Rabbi Akiva who brought great holiness into the world, great dissatisfaction in the gentile world with the pagan rites and beliefs. Additionally there were many Jewish souls and other people spread throughout the empire who were responsive to the Torah's message of love, hope and redemption..
It was not to be. The forces against the messianic era beginning before the suffering of the past 2,000 years were too great and the forces that would have helped bring it about fell short. Rome's military power and ability to bring its great force down overwhelmed the small nation of Israel. All life was decimated, from the Temple which lay burned and leveled, to the population, even the trees were destroyed and the very name of the country was wiped away. But it was not military might but spiritual failure which ensured that the messianic age was not to begin for at least another two thousand years
Spiritually, the Jews themselves fell short of the great heights that were required, a plague ensued and all hopes for a messianic age were dashed. Then in the midst of darkness a new light emerged. Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai revealed to a small group of students the mystical Zohar which uncovers the secrets which will eventually bring the coming of the messianic age.
Thus, we celebrate Lag BaOmer on this day and hope that we will not fall short in our individual opportunities to help bring Hashem's holiness into our small corner of the world.
Psalm 19:8
Psalm for Shavuot
"The Torah of Hashem
is perfect, restoring
the soul; The testimony
of Hashem is trustworthy,
making wise the simple..."
"Torat Hashem temiymah, Meshiybas nefesh; eydus Hashem
ne'emanah, mah ki mas pesiy..."
The first seven sentences of Psalm 19 correspond to the 7 days of creation.
Passage 8 describes beautiful things about the Torah. This teaches that when we want to reach higher, we reach for the Torah. When we wish to elevate our spiritual awareness we reach for the Torah.
Yet the Torah emphasises the importance of a festive dairy meal on Shavuot. the day the Torah was received. Thus, we realize that our mission on this earth is not merely to enlighten ourselves spiritually but to bring the physical in - to bring holiness into all aspects of life: spiritual and physical
"There will be a time when all the concealment of this world will be shattered.
The wrappings will fall away and we will see how each prayer was answered.
And we will hold all the blessings of all those millennia in our hands. ~ "
- Lubavitcher Rebbe
Please feel free to post your comments.
Do you have a story you would like to share about Psalms/Tehillim?
Do you have a special Psalm?
Psalms to read during special occasions
When traveling on a journey: 91
For Healing: 6, 30, 41, 88, 103
For Peace: 46
To express thankfulness: 9, 21, 57, 95, 116, 138
An intimate plea for Hashem's guidance:
16,19,139
For Teshuva (returning to Hashem) 51, 90
To find one's spouse: 32, 38, 70, 71, 121, 124
On day of marriage: 19
to have children: 102, 103
For giving birth: 20
For success: 33, 16, 17, 72, 91, 104, 130
For a favorable verdict: 7, 35, 93
At a cemetary: 33,16, 17, 72, 91, 104, 130
Psalm 11:7
"Your throne is from Hashem. It is forever and ever. For the scepter of integrity is the scepter of your kingdom."
The psalmist writes of longing for the Moshiach (Messiah). The person who will bring - through Hashem's blessing - a time of peace, healing and understanding.
It is said that these can bring the Messianic era in our time: "Teshuva" - returning to closeness with Hashem, Shabbas observance in its truest sense, Torah study and Tzedaka - giving charity and helping one another.
click here to read more.
"If we knew the power of the verses of Psalms and their effect in the spiritual realms, we would recite them constantly"
- Tzemach Tzedek
3rd LubavitcherRebbe
Psalm 11
"For the conductor, by David. In Hashem I have taken refuge. How can you say to my soul: Flee from your mountain like a bird?"
לַמְנַצֵּחַ, לְדָוִד:
בַּיהוָה, חָסִיתִי--אֵיךְ, תֹּאמְרוּ לְנַפְשִׁי; נודו (נוּדִי), הַרְכֶם צִפּוֹר.
A bird may fly away from the mountain when it is being hunted. But for one who has taken refuge in Hashem. The only choice is to stand strong. And know that the creator of the universe is in charge and all is for the ultimate good.
For complete translation click here
Psalm 5:8
"And I, through the abundance of Your kindness,
will I enter Your house..."
"Ve ani, berov chasdecha, avo beysecha..."
He was called upon to curse Israel. Famous for his abilities to channel the spiritual forces to his will, Bilam, had a simple task before him. It was not so simple, however. For as he stood gazing upon the tents of Israel, he found he was unable to articulate the words that would bring the dreaded curse down. His senses were overwhelmed with the awareness of the kindness and modesty of the Children of Israel. Their tents were arranged so that privacy would be respected. Their speech was not focused on the personal lives of their neighbors, rather they spoke of gratitude for Hashem's blessings and focused their lives on serving Him by performing acts of loving kindness. chesed and tsedaka. His words formed the blessing that we now recite as the "Ma Tovu" prayer.
"How goodly are Your tents O' Jacob. Your dwelling places Israel. And I, through the abundance of Your kindness, I will enter Your house."
For it is the abundance of Hashem's kindness that brings souls closer to Him. The kindness we sense when we think about Sarah's tent - a tent glowing from the light of holiness that illuminated from one Shabbos to the next, sheltered by spiritual clouds and challah that stayed fresh all week so that passers by would be nourished physicially and spiritually.
For the kindness of Hashem is expressed by each of us everyday in our lives. Whether it is through modesty by respecting the privacy of our neighbors and friends, through everyday conversation by focusing on holy words and thoughts, or through awareness of the miraculous deeds of Sarah Imeinu by the light, clouds and challah of her blessed tent. It is no coincidence that the Mishkan (tabernacle in the desert) and the Beis Ha Mikdash (the Holy Temple in Jerusalem) were fashioned after Sarah's tent. Thus revealing that the holiest place on earth is as close as the place we dwell in each day. And as Bilam miraculously found, much to his surprise, this abundant kindness can turn a dreaded curse into beautiful blessing for all.
"Oh God, Oh God, Why have You forsaken me?
Why are You so far from saving me?.."
"Eli, Eli, lama azav tani?..."
It is told that King David wrote this Psalm in foreknowledge of the time of Esther.
One could imagine the time before the miracle. When an order from the king was made to kill every Jewish man, women and child in all 127 provinces of the Persian empire. The forces in the world of material existence were insurmountable. So the Jews reached beyond.They prayed - loudly and softly, in groups and solely, wearing sack cloths and fasting, people of all backgrounds and ages bounded together in their pureness of faith and prayed.
And when the edict was revoked, the holocaust averted, then one could see the miracle that had taken place over many years. Only if all the dots were connected could one see the miracle in everyday events and realize that just like Esther the seemingly ordinary events of our lives are not ordinary after all.
When looked at from a distance, over time, the events of our lives may have a purpose that often is not apparent to us while we are in the midst of hardship.
It is recommended to read
the Psalm that is one above
the child's age. For example
for a 19 year old, Tehillim 20
is read signifying the 20th year of life.
Some people recite the Psalm that is
one above the age of all their loved
ones.
Psalm 4Psalm 14Psalm 5Psalm 15Psalm 6Psalm 16Psalm 7Psalm 17Psalm 8Psalm 18Psalm 9Psalm 19Psalm 10 Psalm 20Psalm 1
א אַשְׁרֵי הָאִישׁ-- אֲשֶׁר לֹא הָלַךְ, בַּעֲצַת רְשָׁעִים;
וּבְדֶרֶךְ חַטָּאִים, לֹא עָמָד, וּבְמוֹשַׁב לֵצִים, לֹא יָשָׁב.
1 Happy is the man tnot in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of the scornful.
ב כִּי אִם בְּתוֹרַת יְהוָה, חֶפְצוֹ; וּבְתוֹרָתוֹ יֶהְגֶּה, יוֹמָם וָלָיְלָה.
2 But his delight is in the law of Hashem; and in His law he meditates day and night.
ג וְהָיָה-- כְּעֵץ, שָׁתוּל עַל-פַּלְגֵי-מָיִם:
אֲשֶׁר פִּרְיוֹ, יִתֵּן בְּעִתּוֹ--וְעָלֵהוּ לֹא-יִבּוֹל; וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר-יַעֲשֶׂה יַצְלִיחַ.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by streams of water,
that brings forth its fruit in its season, and whose leaf does not wither; and in whatsoever he does he shall prosper.
ד לֹא-כֵן הָרְשָׁעִים: כִּי אִם-כַּמֹּץ, אֲשֶׁר-תִּדְּפֶנּוּ רוּחַ.
4 Not so the wicked; but they are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
ה עַל-כֵּן, לֹא-יָקֻמוּ רְשָׁעִים--בַּמִּשְׁפָּט; וְחַטָּאִים, בַּעֲדַת צַדִּיקִים.
5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
ו כִּי-יוֹדֵעַ יְהוָה, דֶּרֶךְ צַדִּיקִים; וְדֶרֶךְ רְשָׁעִים תֹּאבֵד.
6 For Hashem regards the way of the righteous; but the way of the wicked shall perish.
Psalm 1 comment
"Happy is the man who did not walk
in the counsel of the wicked,
in the path of the sinful did not stand
and in the session of the scorners did not sit."
"Ashrei ha ish asher lo halach ba atsat risha'eem,
u viderech chata'eem lo amad, u vimoshav letsee lo yashav."
Walking, standing and sitting refer to where we are and what we are doing. The very first psalm begins not with distant esoteric truths but with practical guidelines. Before I can begin my spiritual quest, before I can reach the heights of enlightenment, I must first learn to walk. Thus, Tehillim 1 begins with the basics: how to walk, stand and sit through life.
Yet, mundane and worldly as these concerns are, who we take counsel from, which path we stand upon, which sessions are we immersed in, what we do each moment .. as we gather these moments together they form a cohesive whole that becomes our life.
The Psalmist continues:
"Rather if in the Torah of Hashem is his desire and in His Torah he meditates day and night he shall be like a tree deeply rooted alongside brooks of water that yields its fruit in its season and whose leaf never withers..."
Psalms Chapter 2 תְּהִלִּים
א לָמָּה, רָגְשׁוּ גוֹיִם; וּלְאֻמִּים, יֶהְגּוּ-רִיק.
1 Why are the nations in an uproar? And why do the peoples mutter in vain?
ב יִתְיַצְּבוּ, מַלְכֵי-אֶרֶץ-- וְרוֹזְנִים נוֹסְדוּ-יָחַד:
עַל-יְהוָה, וְעַל-מְשִׁיחוֹ.
2 Take their stand do the kings of the earth and the rulers take counsel together,
against Hashem, and against His anointed:
ג נְנַתְּקָה, אֶת-מוֹסְרוֹתֵימוֹ; וְנַשְׁלִיכָה מִמֶּנּוּ עֲבֹתֵימוֹ.
3 'Let us cut their bands cords, and cast off from ourselves their ropes.'
ד יוֹשֵׁב בַּשָּׁמַיִם יִשְׂחָק: אֲדֹנָי, יִלְעַג-לָמוֹ.
4 He that sits in heaven will laugh, Hashem will mock them.
ה אָז יְדַבֵּר אֵלֵימוֹ בְאַפּוֹ; וּבַחֲרוֹנוֹ יְבַהֲלֵמוֹ.
5 Then He will speak to them in His anger, and terrify them in His sore displeasure:
ו וַאֲנִי, נָסַכְתִּי מַלְכִּי: עַל-צִיּוֹן, הַר-קָדְשִׁי.
6 'I myself have annointed My king over Zion, My holy mountain.'
ז אֲסַפְּרָה, אֶל-חֹק: יְהוָה, אָמַר אֵלַי בְּנִי אַתָּה--אֲנִי, הַיּוֹם יְלִדְתִּיךָ.
7 I proclaim as an obligation: Hashem said unto me: 'My son, are you, I have this day begotten you.
ח שְׁאַל מִמֶּנִּי--וְאֶתְּנָה גוֹיִם, נַחֲלָתֶךָ; וַאֲחֻזָּתְךָ, אַפְסֵי-אָרֶץ.
8 Ask of Me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession.
ט תְּרֹעֵם, בְּשֵׁבֶט בַּרְזֶל: כִּכְלִי יוֹצֵר תְּנַפְּצֵם.
9 Thou will break them with a rod of iron; thou will shatter them in pieces like a potter's vessel.'
י וְעַתָּה, מְלָכִים הַשְׂכִּילוּ; הִוָּסְרוּ, שֹׁפְטֵי אָרֶץ.
10 Now, O kings, be wise; be disciplined judges of the earth.
יא עִבְדוּ אֶת-יְהוָה בְּיִרְאָה; וְגִילוּ, בִּרְעָדָה.
11 Serve the Hashem with awe, so that you may rejoice with trembling.
יב נַשְּׁקוּ-בַר, פֶּן-יֶאֱנַף וְתֹאבְדוּ דֶרֶךְ-- כִּי-יִבְעַר כִּמְעַט אַפּוֹ:
אַשְׁרֵי, כָּל-חוֹסֵי בוֹ.
12 Yearn for purity, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, for blaze in a brief moment will be His anger. Praiseworthy are all those that take refuge in Him.
Psalm 2 comment
"Why do nations throng and regimes talk in
vain. Take their stand do the kings of the
earth and princes conspire together?...."
"Lama ragshu goim u l'umim rik? Yisyatsvi malki eretz
V'roznim nosdu yachad?..."
The question of 'why do great nations conspire to do harm?' - has been with us for many generations. On outward appearance, it seems as if the physical world of great nations and regimes is very powerful indeed. When the Roman army marched in unison with great armor and weapons, or when the blitzkreig blazed across the land, it was easy to take notice. And today, when airplanes are hijacked and coordinated attacks are launched against thousands of innocents; when countries coordinate strategies aimed to destroy a peaceful nation, it's easy to feel that the forces of man are great and that we who strive for good have no chance against overwhelming odds. Although on outward appearance, it sometimes feels that all is lost, that the regimes who seek power over man have triumphed. The reality is the power of Hashem is much greater.
The last line of Psalm 2 reads: "praiseworthy are all those who take refuge in Him."
Each of us, at some point in our life, ask ourselves: in whom do we trust? In whom do we take refuge? Is it the outward appearance, even when this outward appearance seems so overwhelming in power? Or is it the One who creates and sustains all? Even though this is beyond our limited comprehension.
When we think of the universe and all that is in it. When we think of the miracle of being alive each moment. When we realize that to destroy is much easier than to create. It becomes clear that taking refuge in Hashem rather than the powers of the physical world is praiseworthy indeed. .
Psalms Chapter 3 תְּהִלִּים
א מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד: בְּבָרְחוֹ, מִפְּנֵי אַבְשָׁלוֹם בְּנוֹ.
1 A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
ב יְהוָה, מָה-רַבּוּ צָרָי; רַבִּים, קָמִים עָלָי.
2 Hashem, how many have my adversaries become! Many are they that rise up against me.
ג רַבִּים, אֹמְרִים לְנַפְשִׁי: אֵין יְשׁוּעָתָה לּוֹ בֵאלֹהִים סֶלָה.3
3 Many there are that say of my soul: 'There is no salvation for him in God.' Selah
ד וְאַתָּה יְהוָה, מָגֵן בַּעֲדִי; כְּבוֹדִי, וּמֵרִים רֹאשִׁי.
4 But you, Hashem, are a shield about me; my glory, and the lifter up of my head.
ה קוֹלִי, אֶל-יְהוָה אֶקְרָא; וַיַּעֲנֵנִי מֵהַר קָדְשׁוֹ סֶלָה.
5 With my voice I call to Hashem, and He answers me out of His holy mountain. Selah
ו אֲנִי שָׁכַבְתִּי, וָאִישָׁנָה; הֱקִיצוֹתִי--כִּי יְהוָה יִסְמְכֵנִי.
6 I lay me down, and I sleep; I awake, for Hashem sustains me.
ז לֹא-אִירָא, מֵרִבְבוֹת עָם-- אֲשֶׁר סָבִיב, שָׁתוּ עָלָי.
7 I am not afraid of ten thousand people, that have set themselves against me round about.
ח קוּמָה יְהוָה, הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי אֱלֹהַי-- כִּי-הִכִּיתָ אֶת-כָּל-אֹיְבַי לֶחִי;
שִׁנֵּי רְשָׁעִים שִׁבַּרְתָּ.
8 Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God; for Thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek,
Thou hast broken the teeth of the wicked.
ט לַיהוָה הַיְשׁוּעָה; עַל-עַמְּךָ בִרְכָתֶךָ סֶּלָה.
9 Salvation belongs to Hashem; His blessing is upon Thy people. Selah
Psalm 3 comment
3:2 "How numerous are
my tormentors!
The great rise up against me.
The great say of my soul there
is no salvation for him from
Hashem, selah"
3:9 "For Hashem is salvation.
Upon Your people is Your
blessing, selah."
"La Hashem hayeshuah al
amcha birchatecha selah."
The Tehillim/Psalm begins by describing a situation that David finds himself in: seemingly hopeless. Much like Israel, he is surrounded by enemies. The "great" say there there is no hope for survival? The "great" and mighty say this because it is obvious to all who observe. How can David survive when surrounded by tormentors? How can Israel survive when it is surrounded on all sides by overwhelming numbers of enemies? How can I survive when my life becomes overwhelmed with troubles?
When viewed from the perspective of the physical world alone, when we are in the midst of a sea of troubles it is true there is little if any hope. The psalmist then reveals that the physical world is not all that exists. There is a miraculous aspect to all that is. David, like each of us, is not facing trials alone. With Hashem, anything is possible - even getting through and triumphing in a seemingly impossible situation. "
"With my voice to Hashem I call out and He answers me" (Psalm 3:5). The true reality is we are not facing our trials alone. Psalm 3 concludes: "for Hashem is salvation. Upon Your people is Your blessing, ..."
We are the children of a loving and compassionate God - and even when the limited physical world appears to be overwhelming - the blessing of Hashem is upon us.
Psalms for Parents
