Shabbat Siddur Sefard Linear, The Morning Prayers, Mizmor Shir

The Morning Prayers, Mizmor Shir

Psalm 30, once used to inaugurate the Holy Temple, is used today to inau- gurate our daily prayers, for the synagogue is a “Holy Temple in miniature” and our prayers take the place of the sacrifices. It is both a prayer for success and a declaration of thanksgiving.

מִזְמוֹר A Psalm,

שִׁיר־חֲנֻכַּת הַבַּֽיִת a song for the inauguration of the Temple,

לְדָוִד: by David.²⁸Since it was Solomon who built the Temple, why is its inauguration attributed to David? Rashi explains: David composed the song which would be sung at the inauguration later, in Solomon’s days.

אֲרוֹמִמְ֒ךָ יְהֹוָה I will exalt You, Adonoy,

כִּי דִלִּיתָֽנִי for You have upheld me,²⁹ Radak writes that the Hebrew word דִלִיתָנִי is an expression used to describe either a downtrodden or an uplifted state. The downtrodden state of the Jewish people is actually part of their uplifting says the Sfas Emes, as it is said, “when I was brought low, He delivered me” (Psalms 116:6). “My downtrodden state was the cause of my salvation,” proclaims David, just as when one lowers a bucket (דְלִי) into a well in order to bring up the water.

וְלֹא־שִׂמַּֽחְתָּ אֹיְ֒בַי לִי: and not let my foes rejoice over me.

יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהָי Adonoy, my God,

שִׁוַּֽעְתִּי אֵלֶֽיךָ וַתִּרְפָּאֵֽנִי: I cried out to You, and You healed me.

יְהֹוָה הֶעֱלִֽיתָ Adonoy, You have raised

מִן־שְׁאוֹל נַפְשִׁי my soul from the lower world.

חִיִּיתַֽנִי You have kept me alive,

מִיָּרְ֒דִי־בוֹר: lest I descend to the Pit.

זַמְּ֒רוּ לַיהֹוָה חֲסִידָיו Sing to Adonoy, [you,] His pious ones,

וְהוֹדוּ לְזֵֽכֶר קָדְשׁוֹ: and give thanks to His holy Name.³⁰The literal translation of זֵכֶר קָדְשׁו is His ‘holy remembrance,’ but it refers to His Name; for the titles we bestow upon Him are our means of remembering Him.— Radak

כִּי רֶֽגַע בְּאַפּוֹ For His anger lasts only a moment,³¹A moment is a measure of time. God’s anger is limited to time (be it long or short) but God’s favor is unlimited.—Sfas Emes

חַיִּים בִּרְצוֹנוֹ but there is [long] life, in His conciliation.

בָּעֶֽרֶב יָלִין בֶּֽכִי In the evening, one retires weeping,

וְלַבֹּֽקֶר רִנָּה: but in the morning there is [a cry of] joy!

וַאֲנִי אָמַֽרְתִּי בְשַׁלְוִי I said, in my serenity,

בַּל־אֶמּוֹט לְעוֹלָם: I would never be moved.

יְהֹוָה בִּרְ֒צוֹנְ֒ךָ [But,] Adonoy, it was Your will [alone]

הֶעֱמַֽדְתָּה לְהַרְרִי that established my mountain

עֹז as a stronghold.

הִסְתַּֽרְתָּ פָנֶֽיךָ When You concealed Your Presence,

הָיִֽיתִי נִבְהָל: I was terrified.

אֵלֶֽיךָ יְהֹוָה אֶקְרָא To You, Adonoy, I called,

וְאֶל־אֲדֹנָי אֶתְחַנָּן: and my Master I beseeched.

מַה־בֶּֽצַע What gain is there

בְּדָמִי in [the shedding of] my blood?

בְּרִדְתִּי אֶל שָֽׁחַת In my going down to destruction?

הֲיוֹדְ֒ךָ עָפָר Will the dust acknowledge You?

הֲיַגִּיד אֲמִתֶּֽךָ: Will it proclaim Your truth?

שְׁמַע יְהֹוָה וְחָנֵּֽנִי Hear [me] Adonoy, and be gracious to me,

יְהֹוָה הֱיֵה־עֹזֵר לִי: Adonoy, be a help to me.

❖הָפַֽכְתָּ מִסְפְּדִי לְמָחוֹל לִי You have turned my mourning into dancing,

פִּתַּחְתָּ שַׂקִּי You have loosened my sackcloth

וַתְּ֒אַזְּ֒רֵֽנִי שִׂמְחָה: and supported me with joy.

לְמַֽעַן יְזַמֶּרְ֒ךָ כָבוֹד In order that my soul³²The literal translation of כָבוד is glory. Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz explained that the soul is called כָבוד because its only function is to give glory to God. might sing to You

וְלֹא יִדֹּם and not be stilled,

יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהַי לְעוֹלָם אוֹדֶֽךָ: Adonoy, my God, forever will I thank You.

It is customary to stand while reciting the following paragraph.

יְהֹוָה מֶֽלֶךְ, יְהֹוָה מָלָֽךְ, Adonoy is King, Adonoy was King

יְהֹוָה יִמְלֹךְ, לְעֹלָם וָעֶד: Adonoy will be King forever and ever.

יְהֹוָה מֶֽלֶךְ, יְהֹוָה מָלָֽךְ, Adonoy is King, Adonoy was King

יְהֹוָה יִמְלֹךְ, לְעֹלָם וָעֶד: Adonoy will be King forever and ever.

וְהָיָה יְהֹוָה לְמֶֽלֶךְ And Adonoy will be King

עַל־כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ, over the whole earth;

בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא יִהְיֶה יְהֹוָה אֶחָד, on that day Adonoy will be One

וּשְׁ֒מוֹ אֶחָד: and His Name One.

הֽוֹשִׁיעֵֽנוּ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ, Deliver us Adonoy, our God,

וְקַבְּ֒צֵֽנוּ מִן־הַגּוֹיִם and gather us from among the nations,

לְהוֹדוֹת לְשֵׁם קָדְשֶֽׁךָ, to give thanks to Your holy Name—

לְהִשְׁתַּבֵּֽחַ בִּתְ֒הִלָּתֶֽךָ: to be extolled in Your praise.

בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, Blessed is Adonoy, God of Israel

מִן־הָֽעוֹלָם וְעַד הָֽעוֹלָם, from the world till the next world

וְאָמַר כָּל־הָעָם אָמֵן, הַֽלְ֒לוּיָהּ: and all the people said: “Amen, Praise God.”

כֹּל הַנְּ֒שָׁמָה תְּהַלֵּל יָהּ, Let every soul praise God.

הַֽלְ֒לוּיָהּ: Praise God.

תהלים יט Psalm 19

In this psalm, David sings the praises of the Torah. The Kuzari notes that even though the skies “proclaim God's glory” and the Psalmist describes the sun so glowingly, David nevertheless concludes that in comparison to the Torah they are insignificant.

לַמְנַצֵּֽחַ To the Chief Musician,

מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד: a Psalm of David.

הַשָּׁמַֽיִם מְסַפְּרִים כְּבוֹד־אֵל The skies recount the glory of the Almighty,

וּמַעֲשֵׂה יָדָיו and His handiwork

מַגִּיד הָרָקִֽיעַ: is related by the firmament.³³ שָׁמַיִם , skies, refers to the heavenly regions beyond earth’s atmosphere, where the stars and planets orbit. רָקִיעַ , firmament, refers to the earth’s atmosphere where clouds form, and precipitation takes place. The verb לְסַפֵּר means to recount something which occurred in the past. Thus the stars and planets in the שָׁמַיִם recount the fact that long ago God created a glorious universe. The רָקִיעַ , on the other hand, relates that God’s handiwork is evidenced in the constant formation of clouds and in the precipitation of rain. The firmament enables man to recognize the constant renewal of God’s providence.— Malbim

יוֹם לְיוֹם יַבִּֽיעַ אֹֽמֶר Day to day makes speech flow,³⁴Daily renewal of the activities of creation, beginning with sunrise, stir mankind to proclaim God’s praises.—Rashi

וְלַֽיְלָה לְלַֽיְלָה יְחַוֶּה־דָּֽעַת: and night to night expresses wisdom.³⁵Night after night the sun sets beneath the horizon only to rise and set again the following day. This unchanging pattern is evidence of the Divine wisdom implanted in God’s creation.—Rashi

אֵין־אֹֽמֶר וְאֵין דְּבָרִים There is no speech, and there are no words;

בְּלִי נִשְׁמָע קוֹלָם: their voice is never heard.³⁶Though the heavens have no means of verbal communication, the soul of man, with its sensitivity and perception, can understand their message clearly.—Ibn Ezra

בְּכָל־הָאָֽרֶץ יָצָא קַוָּם Throughout the earth, their line extends,

וּבִקְצֵה תֵבֵל and to the edge of the inhabited world

מִלֵּיהֶם their words,

לַשֶּֽׁמֶשׁ for the sun

שָׂם־אֹֽהֶל בָּהֶם: He has set a tent in their midst.³⁷God provided the sun a permanent residence in the heavens. David describes this point to which the sun returns daily as its ‘tent’—its residence in the sky.—Metsudas Yehoshua

וְהוּא כְּחָתָן And it [the sun] is like a groom

יֹצֵא מֵחֻפָּתוֹ departing his bridal chamber,³⁸When the groom steps out of the bridal chamber, everyone rushes to greet him with great joy. Analogously, when the sun rises each day, all of creation rejoices.—Radak

יָשִׂישׂ כְּגִבּוֹר לָרוּץ אֹֽרַח: happy as a warrior to run on course.³⁹A warrior is happy for the opportunity to go into battle because he has confidence in his skill and strength. Similarly, the sun rejoices knowing it will serve its Creator’s goals by running its course.—Metsudas Dovid.

מִקְצֵה הַשָּׁמַֽיִם מוֹצָאוֹ From one end of the skies is its rising

וּתְקוּפָתוֹ עַל־קְצוֹתָם and its circuit is to their [other] end;

וְאֵין נִסְתָּר מֵחַמָּֽתוֹ: there is no escaping its heat.

תּוֹרַת יְהֹוָה תְּמִימָה The Torah of Adonoy, is perfect,

מְשִֽׁיבַת נָֽפֶשׁ restoring the soul;

עֵדוּת יְהֹוָה נֶאֱמָנָה the testimony of Adonoy, is trustworthy,

מַחְכִּֽימַת פֶּֽתִי: making wise the simple [man].

פִּקּוּדֵי יְהֹוָה יְשָׁרִים The precepts of Adonoy, are upright,

מְשַׂמְּחֵי־לֵב rejoicing the heart;

מִצְוַת יְהֹוָה בָּרָה the commandment of Adonoy, is lucid,

מְאִירַת עֵינָֽיִם: enlightening the eyes.⁴⁰Every command of God is flawless, lighting the way for those who walk in His way. Those who ignore His commands stumble in darkness.— Radak

יִרְאַת יְהֹוָה טְהוֹרָה The fear of Adonoy, is pure,

עוֹמֶֽדֶת לָעַד it endures forever;

מִשְׁפְּטֵי־יְהֹוָה אֱמֶת the judgments of Adonoy, are true,

צָדְקוּ יַחְדָּו: they are righteous in unison.⁴¹They are all in total harmony. There is no contradiction between them.—Ibn Ezra

הַנֶּחֱמָדִים מִזָּהָב More desirable than gold,

וּמִפָּז רָב even more than quantities of fine gold;⁴² פָּז is the purest form of refined gold.

וּמְתוּקִים מִדְּבַשׁ and sweeter than honey,

וְנֹֽפֶת צוּפִים: or the drippings of honeycombs.

גַּם־עַבְדְּךָ נִזְהָר בָּהֶם Even Your servant is careful of them,

בְּשָׁמְרָם עֵֽקֶב רָב: since they guard⁴³Because the Divine reward is contingent on fulfilling God’s commands, they are ‘guardians’ of that reward.—Metsudas Yehoshua great reward.

שְׁגִיאוֹת מִי־יָבִין Errors—who can comprehend?

מִנִּסְתָּרוֹת נַקֵּֽנִי: From hidden [faults], cleanse me.

גַּם מִזֵּדִים Also from willful [sins]

חֲשׂךְ עַבְדֶּֽךָ spare Your servant,

אַל־יִמְשְׁלוּ־בִי let them not rule me,⁴⁴David’s request is paraphrased in the concluding blessing of the בִּרְכוֹת הַשַּׁחַר , וְאַל יִשְׁלֹט בָּנוּ יֵצֶר הָרַע , “Let us not be ruled by the Evil Inclinaation,” David knows full well that God does not interffere with man’s free choise; he only asks for DDivine help to keep him from becoming a prisoneerr evil.—Gaon of Vilna

אָז אֵיתָם then I will be strong

וְנִקֵּֽיתִי מִפֶּֽשַׁע רָב: and will be cleansed of gross transgression.

❖יִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן May they be acceptable—

אִמְרֵי־פִי the words of my mouth

וְהֶגְיוֹן לִבִּי לְפָנֶֽיךָ and the thoughts of my heart before You,

יְהֹוָה צוּרִי וְגֹאֲלִי: Adonoy, my Rock and my Redeemer.

תהלים לג Psalm 33

In this psalm, David expresses the joy of the righteous in the Divine Providence of God in every aspect of the world and in the affairs of man. For the righteous see the “laws of nature” only as an external cloak, concealing the true supervision of God. They see through the laws of nature and perceive the Divine order and providence of the Creator.

רַנְּנוּ צַדִּיקִים בַּיהֹוָה Joyfully exult in Adonoy, [you] righteous ones,

לַיְשָׁרִים נָאוָה תְהִלָּה: for the upright, praise is fitting.

הוֹדוּ לַיהֹוָה בְּכִנּוֹר Thank Adonoy with the harp,

בְּנֵֽבֶל עָשׂוֹר זַמְּרוּ־לוֹ: with the ten-stringed lyre sing to Him.

שִֽׁירוּ־לוֹ שִׁיר חָדָשׁ Sing Him a new song,

הֵיטִֽיבוּ נַגֵּן בִּתְרוּעָה: play skillfully with jubilation.

כִּי־יָשָׁר דְּבַר־יְהֹוָה For upright is the word of Adonoy

וְכָל־מַעֲשֵֽׂהוּ בֶּאֱמוּנָה: and all His deeds [are done] with faithfulness.

אֹהֵב צְדָקָה וּמִשְׁפָּט He loves righteousness and justice

חֶֽסֶד יְהֹוָה מָלְאָה הָאָֽרֶץ: the kindliness of Adonoy fills the earth.

בִּדְבַר יְהֹוָה שָׁמַֽיִם נַעֲשׂוּ By the word of God, the heavens were made,

וּבְרֽוּחַ פִּיו and by the breath of His mouth,

כָּל־צְבָאָם: all their hosts.

כֹּנֵס כַּנֵּד He gathers like a mound

מֵי הַיָּם the waters of the sea,

נֹתֵן בְּאוֹצָרוֹת תְּהוֹמוֹת: He places in vaults the deep waters.

יִירְאוּ מֵיְהֹוָה כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ Fear Adonoy, all the earth,

מִמֶּֽנּוּ יָגֽוּרוּ of Him, be in dread

כָּל־ישְׁבֵי תֵבֵל: all dwellers of the inhabited world.

כִּי הוּא אָמַר וַיֶּֽהִי For He spoke and it became;

הוּא־צִוָּה וַיַּעֲמֹד: He commanded and it stood.

יְהֹוָה הֵפִיר עֲצַת־גּוֹיִם Adonoy annuls the counsel of nations,

הֵנִיא מַחְשְׁבוֹת עַמִּים: He disrupts the intention of peoples.

עֲצַת יְהֹוָה לְעוֹלָם תַּעֲמֹד The counsel of Adonoy will stand forever,

מַחְשְׁבוֹת לִבּוֹ the thoughts of His heart

לְדֹר וָדֹר: throughout all generations.

אַשְׁרֵי הַגּוֹי Fortunate is the nation

אֲשֶׁר־יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהָיו for whom Adonoy is their God,

הָעָם בָּחַר לְנַֽחֲלָה לוֹ: the people He chose as His heritage.

מִשָּׁמַֽיִם הִבִּיט יְהֹוָה From the heavens, Adonoy looks [down],

רָאָה אֶת־כָּל־בְּנֵי הָאָדָם: He sees all mankind.

מִמְּכוֹן־שִׁבְתּוֹ From His dwelling place,

הִשְׁגִּֽיחַ He watches intently

אֶל כָּל־ישְׁבֵי הָאָֽרֶץ: all the inhabitants of the earth.

הַיֹּצֵר יַֽחַד לִבָּם He forms their hearts all together;⁴⁵The Talmud (Sanhedrin 37a) states: When a man mints many coins from the same mold, they are all exactly alike, but God formed all of mankind from Adam and no two men look exactly alike. The Sages in Berachos 58a add: just as no two faces are alike, so are no two personalities alike. Thus even though God made them all together, each has his own unique personality.

הַמֵּבִין אֶל־כָּל־מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם: He perceives all their doings.

אֵין הַמֶּֽלֶךְ נוֹשָׁע בְּרָב־חָֽיִל A king is not saved by a great army;

גִּבּוֹר לֹא־יִנָּצֵל a mighty man is not rescued

בְּרָב־כֹּֽחַ: with [his] great strength.

שֶֽׁקֶר הַסּוּס A horse is deceptive [assurance]

לִתְשׁוּעָה for deliverance,

וּבְרֹב חֵילוֹ and with its great strength

לֹא יְמַלֵּט: it provides no escape.

הִנֵּה עֵין יְהֹוָה Behold, the eye of Adonoy

אֶל־יְרֵאָיו is on those who fear Him,

לַמְיַחֲלִים לְחַסְדּוֹ: on those who wait for His kindliness.

לְהַצִּיל מִמָּֽוֶת נַפְשָׁם To rescue their soul from death,

וּלְחַיּוֹתָם בָּרָעָב: and to keep them alive during famine.

נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ חִכְּתָה לַיהֹוָה Our soul yearned for Adonoy,

עֶזְרֵֽנוּ וּמָגִנֵּֽנוּ הוּא: our help and our shield is He.

❖כִּי־בוֹ יִשְׂמַח לִבֵּֽנוּ For in Him our heart will rejoice,

כִּי בְשֵׁם קָדְשׁוֹ בָטָֽחְנוּ: for in His holy Name we trust,

יְהִי־חַסְדְּךָ יְהֹוָה עָלֵֽינוּ May Your kindliness, Adonoy, be upon us,

כַּאֲשֶׁר יִחַֽלְנוּ לָךְ: as we have waited for You.

תהלים לד Psalm 34

This psalm is based entirely on an event that took place in David's personal life as related in 1 Samuel 21:11-16. Forced to flee from Saul, he took refuge among the Philistines, where he was recognized as the slayer of Goliath. In order to escape death at the hands of his foes, David pretended to be an imbecile, and was sent away unharmed by King Avimelech.

לְדָוִד Of David,

בְּשַׁנּוֹתוֹ אֶת־טַעְמוֹ When he acted insane

לִפְנֵי אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ in the presence of Avimelech

וַיְגָרְשֵֽׁהוּ and he [Avimelech] drove him away,

וַיֵּלַךְ: and he [David] left.

אֲבָרְכָה אֶת־יְהֹוָה בְּכָל־עֵת I will bless Adonoy at all times

תָּמִיד תְּהִלָּתוֹ בְּפִי: constantly is His praise in my mouth.

בַּיהֹוָה תִּתְהַלֵּל נַפְשִׁי In Adonoy does my soul take pride,⁴⁶David is proud that he is worthy of uttering God’s Name.

יִשְׁמְעוּ עֲנָוִים וְיִשְׂמָֽחוּ: the humble will hear [this] and rejoice.

גַּדְּלוּ לַיהֹוָה אִתִּי Declare the greatness of Adonoy with me,

וּנְרוֹמְמָה שְׁמוֹ יַחְדָּו: and let us exalt His Name together.

דָּרַֽשְׁתִּי אֶת־יְהֹוָה וְעָנָֽנִי I sought Adonoy and He responded to me;

וּמִכָּל־מְגוּרוֹתַי הִצִּילָֽנִי: and from all my fears He saved me.

הִבִּֽיטוּ אֵלָיו וְנָהָֽרוּ [Those who] look to Him are enlightened

וּפְנֵיהֶם and their faces

אַל־יֶחְפָּֽרוּ: are never darkened [humiliated].

זֶה עָנִי קָרָא וַיהֹוָה שָׁמֵֽעַ This poor man⁴⁷David describes himself as a helpless indigent waiting for God’s compassion.—Radak called and Adonoy heard;

וּמִכָּל־צָרוֹתָיו הוֹשִׁיעוֹ: and from all his troubles, He delivered him.

חֹנֶה מַלְאַךְ־יְהֹוָה The angel of Adonoy encamps

סָבִיב לִירֵאָיו around those who fear Him

וַיְחַלְּצֵם: and sets them free.

טַעֲמוּ וּרְאוּ כִּי־טוֹב יְהֹוָה Taste and see that Adonoy is good;⁴⁸Seporno says that taste refers to the senses whereas see refers to the intellect.

אַשְׁרֵי הַגֶּֽבֶר fortunate is the man

יֶֽחֱסֶה־בּוֹ: who takes refuge in Him.

יְראוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה קְדֹשָׁיו Fear Adonoy, [you] His holy ones,

כִּי־אֵין מַחְסוֹר for there is no deprivation

לִירֵאָיו: for those who fear Him.

כְּפִירִים רָשׁוּ וְרָעֵֽבוּ Young lions feel want and hunger,

וְדֹרְשֵׁי יְהֹוָה but those who seek Adonoy

לֹא־יַחְסְרוּ כָל־טוֹב: will not lack any good thing.

לְכוּ־בָנִים שִׁמְעוּ־לִי Come children, listen to me,

יִרְאַת יְהֹוָה אֲלַמֶּדְכֶם: fear of Adonoy will I teach you.

מִי־הָאִישׁ הֶחָפֵץ חַיִּים Who is the man who desires life,⁴⁹David does not say הֶחָפֵץ בַּחַיִּים ‘he who takes pleasure in life’ but הֶחָפֵץ חַיִּים , ‘he who desires life,’ whose only goal is life; that is, he desires to attain such a level of existence as can truly be called life. — S.R. Hirsch

אֹהֵב יָמִים לִרְאוֹת טוֹב: and loves days that he may see good?

נְצֹר לְשׁוֹנְךָ מֵרָע Guard your tongue from evil,

וּשְׂפָתֶֽיךָ מִדַּבֵּר מִרְמָה: and your lips from speaking deceitfully.

סוּר מֵרָע וַעֲשֵׂה־טוֹב Turn from evil and do good,

בַּקֵּשׁ שָׁלוֹם וְרָדְפֵֽהוּ: seek peace and pursue it.

עֵינֵי יְהֹוָה אֶל־צַדִּיקִים The eyes of Adonoy are toward the righteous,

וְאָזְנָיו אֶל־שַׁוְעָתָם: and His ears [are open] to their cry.

פְּנֵי יְהֹוָה בְּעֹֽשֵׂי רָע The face⁵⁰The expression פְּנֵי ה' , Face of God, describes Divine anger. See Leviticus 20:5, וֵשַׂמְתִּי אֲנִי אֶת פָּנַי בָּאִישׁ הַהוּא , “And I will set my Face against that man.” of Adonoy is set against evildoers

לְהַכְרִית מֵאֶֽרֶץ זִכְרָם: to excise from earth, their memory.

צָעֲקוּ וַיהֹוָה שָׁמֵֽעַ They⁵¹They refers to the righteous ones (Rashi) and to the the repentant sinners (Ibn Ezra). cry out and Adonoy hears

וּמִכָּל־צָרוֹתָם הִצִּילָם: and from all their troubles, He saves them.

קָרוֹב יְהֹוָה לְנִשְׁבְּרֵי־לֵב Adonoy is close to the broken-hearted

וְאֶת־דַכְּאֵי־רֽוּחַ יוֹשִֽׁיעַ: and those crushed in spirit, He delivers.

רַבּוֹת רָעוֹת צַדִּיק Many evils befall a righteous man,

וּמִכֻּלָּם יַצִּילֶֽנּוּ יְהֹוָה: and from all of them, Adonoy saves him.

שֹׁמֵר כָּל־עַצְמֹתָיו He preserves all his bones,

אַחַת מֵהֵֽנָּה לֹא נִשְׁבָּֽרָה: not one of them is broken.

תְּמוֹתֵת רָשָע רָעָה The cause of death of the wicked is evil;

וְשׂנְאֵי צַדִּיק יֶאְשָֽׁמוּ: and the haters of the righteous are doomed.

❖פּוֹדֶה יְהֹוָה נֶֽפֶשׁ עֲבָדָיו Adonoy liberates the soul of His servants,

וְלֹא יֶאְשְׁמוּ and none are doomed

כָּל־הַחֹסִים בּוֹ: who take refuge in Him.

תהלים צ Psalm 90

According to our Sages, Psalms 90 through 101, were said by Moses. According to Radak, David actually found this psalm in its written form and knowing it to be the prayer of Moses, included it in his book of psalms. It speaks of the frailty of man and the brevity of his life and asks for God's compassion and favor despite his wrongdoings.

תְּפִלָּה לְמשֶׁה אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִים A prayer of Moses, the man of God:

אֲדֹנָי My Master

מָעוֹן אַתָּה הָיִֽיתָ לָּֽנוּ a dwelling[-place] have You been for us

בְּדֹר וָדֹר: in every generation.

בְּטֶֽרֶם הָרִים יֻלָּֽדוּ Before the mountains were born,

וַתְּחוֹלֵל אֶֽרֶץ and You brought forth the earth

וְתֵבֵל and the inhabited world;

וּמֵעוֹלָם עַד־עוֹלָם from world to world⁵²From before this world to the next world You are Almighty.

אַתָּה אֵל: You are Almighty.

תָּשֵׁב אֱנוֹשׁ You push man down

עַד־דַּכָּא until the crushing point⁵³You permit the sinner to return in penitence even till the very last moment of his life.—Iyun Tefiloh

וַתֹּֽאמֶר and You say,

שֽׁוּבוּ בְנֵי־אָדָם: “Return, children of man!”⁵⁴You constantly call the sinner to return, reminding him of the brevity of his life.—Iyun Tefiloh

כִּי אֶֽלֶף שָׁנִים בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ For a thousand years are in Your eyes

כְּיוֹם אֶתְמוֹל כִּי יַעֲבֹר like the yesterday that has just passed,

וְאַשְׁמוּרָה בַלָּֽיְלָה: and like a night watch.

זְרַמְתָּם שֵׁנָה יִהְיוּ The stream of their life is [but] slumber,

בַּבֹּֽקֶר in the morning

כֶּחָצִיר יַחֲלֹף: they are as grass, freshly grown.

בַּבֹּֽקֶר יָצִיץ [If] in the morning it blossoms,

וְחָלָף and grows afresh

לָעֶֽרֶב יְמוֹלֵל וְיָבֵשׁ: by evening it is cut off and shriveled.

כִּי־כָלִֽינוּ בְאַפֶּֽךָ So are we consumed by Your anger

וּבַחֲמָתְךָ נִבְהָֽלְנוּ: and by Your rage are we terrified.

שַׁתָּה עֲוֹנֹתֵֽינוּ לְנֶגְדֶּֽךָ You have set our iniquities before You,

עֲלֻמֵֽנוּ the sins of our youth⁵⁵Others translate ‘our hidden sins [are exposed]’ see Metsudas Dovid

לִמְאוֹר פָּנֶֽיךָ: before the light of Your countenance.

כִּי כָל־יָמֵֽינוּ For all our days

פָּנוּ בְעֶבְרָתֶֽךָ vanish in Your wrath;

כִּלִּֽינוּ שָׁנֵֽינוּ we terminate our years

כְמוֹ־הֶֽגֶה: like an unspoken word.

יְמֵי־שְׁנוֹתֵֽינוּ בָהֶם The days of our years in them⁵⁶In them refers to the iniquities and the youth mentioned two verses before.—Rashi

שִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה [total] seventy years,

וְאִם בִּגְבוּרֹת שְׁמוֹנִים שָׁנָה and with strength, eighty years,

וְרָהְבָּם עָמָל וָאָֽוֶן and their pride is frustration and falsehood;

כִּי־גָז חִישׁ וַנָּעֻֽפָה: for, cut off quickly, we fly away.⁵⁷Not only is the span of our lives brief, but our few allotted years fly by swiftly.—Iyun Tefiloh

מִי־יוֹדֵֽעַ Who can [get to] know

עֹז אַפֶּֽךָ the force of Your anger?

וּכְיִרְאָתְךָ עֶבְרָתֶֽךָ: And like the fear of You so is Your wrath.⁵⁸Just as God is feared, so too is His wrath harsh when He punishes sinners.—Rashi

לִמְנוֹת יָמֵֽינוּ כֵּן הוֹדַע To count our days, teach us

וְנָבִא לְבַב חָכְמָה: and we will acquire a heart of wisdom.

שׁוּבָה יְהֹוָה עַד־מָתָי Turn Adonoy—how long?⁵⁹Turn away from Your wrath! How much longer will You make us suffer?—Targum

וְהִנָּחֵם עַל־עֲבָדֶֽיךָ: And change Your mind about Your servants.

שַׂבְּעֵֽנוּ בַבֹּֽקֶר Satisfy us in the morning⁶⁰The Sages say that the morning refers to the time of our redemption after the long, black nights of exile.

חַסְדֶּךָ with Your kindliness,

וּנְרַנְּנָה וְנִשְׂמְחָה and we will sing and rejoice

בְּכָל־יָמֵֽינוּ: throughout our days.⁶¹If You show us kindliness in the morning of our youth, showing us the way of righteousness; we will rejoice and sing in our old age.

שַׂמְּחֵֽנוּ Make us rejoice⁶²Make us rejoice in the era of the Messiah for as long as we suffered in exile.

כִּימוֹת עִנִּיתָֽנוּ like the days You afflicted us,

שְׁנוֹת רָאִֽינוּ רָעָה: the years [when] we saw evil.

יֵרָאֶה אֶל־עֲבָדֶֽיךָ Let be revealed to Your servants,

פָעָלֶֽךָ Your deeds

וַהֲדָרְךָ עַל־בְּנֵיהֶם: and Your splendor be upon their children.

❖וִיהִי נֹֽעַם אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ May the pleasantness of my Master our God

עָלֵֽינוּ be upon us,⁶³In this closing verse, Moses prays that the Divine Presence rest on the Jewish nation exclusively.

וּמַעֲשֵׂה יָדֵֽינוּ כּוֹנְנָה עָלֵֽינוּ and the work of our hands established for us,

וּמַעֲשֵׂה יָדֵֽינוּ כּוֹנְנֵֽהוּ: and the work of our hands—establish it.

תהלים צא Psalm 91

This Psalm, composed by Moses on the day the Tabernacle was completed, is a source of inspiration to all who seek the Almighty as their refuge and fortress.

ישֵׁב He who dwells

בְּסֵֽתֶר עֶלְיוֹן in the shelter of the Supreme One,

בְּצֵל שַׁדַּי יִתְלוֹנָן: under the protection of Shadai he will abide.

אֹמַר לַיהֹוָה I say of Adonoy,

מַחְסִי וּמְצוּדָתִי [He is] my refuge and my stronghold,

אֱלֹהַי אֶבְטַח־בּוֹ: my God in Whom I trust.

כִּי הוּא יַצִּילְךָ מִפַּח יָקוּשׁ For He will save you from the snare-trap,

מִדֶּֽבֶר הַוּוֹת: from destructive pestilence.

בְּאֶבְרָתוֹ יָֽסֶךְ לָךְ With His wings He will cover you

וְתַֽחַת־כְּנָפָיו תֶּחְסֶה and beneath His wings, you will find refuge;

צִנָּה וְסֹחֵרָה אֲמִתּוֹ: His truth is a shield, a full shield.

לֹא־תִירָא מִפַּֽחַד לָֽיְלָה You will not fear the terror of night,

מֵחֵץ יָעוּף יוֹמָם: nor the arrow that flies by day.

מִדֶּֽבֶר בָּאֹֽפֶל יַהֲלֹךְ The pestilence that prowls in darkness,

מִקֶּֽטֶב יָשׁוּד צָהֳרָֽיִם: nor the deadly plague that ravages at noon.

יִפֹּל מִצִּדְּךָ אֶֽלֶף A thousand will fall at your [left] side,

וּרְבָבָה מִימִינֶֽךָ and ten thousand at your [right] side

אֵלֶֽיךָ לֹא יִגָּשׁ: but it⁶⁴‘It’ refers to ‘arrow,’ pestilence,’ and ‘plague’ of the previous verse. shall not come near you.

רַק בְּעֵינֶֽיךָ תַבִּיט Only⁶⁵You will only see the destruction but you will not be harmed by it. with your eyes will you behold

וְשִׁלֻּמַת רְשָׁעִים תִּרְאֶה: and see the punishment of the wicked.

כִּי־אַתָּה For you [have proclaimed]:

יְהֹוָה מַחְסִי “Adonoy is my refuge,”

עֶלְיוֹן the Supreme One

שַֽׂמְתָּ מְעוֹנֶֽךָ: you have made your dwelling.

לֹא־תְאֻנֶּה אֵלֶֽיךָ רָעָה No evil shall befall you,

וְנֶֽגַע לֹא־יִקְרַב בְּאָהֳלֶֽךָ: and no plague shall come near your tent.

כִּי מַלְאָכָיו For His angels

יְצַוֶּה־לָּךְ He will command on your behalf—

לִשְׁמָרְךָ בְּכָל־דְּרָכֶֽיךָ: to guard you in all your ways.

עַל־כַּפַּֽיִם יִשָּׂאֽוּנְךָ They will carry you upon their hands,

פֶּן־תִּגֹּף בָּאֶֽבֶן רַגְלֶֽךָ: lest you hurt your foot on a rock.

עַל־שַֽׁחַל וָפֶֽתֶן תִּדְרֹךְ You will tread upon lion and snake,

תִּרְמֹס כְּפִיר וְתַנִּין: you will trample young lion and serpent.

כִּי בִי חָשַׁק Because he clings to Me with desire,

וַאֲפַלְּטֵֽהוּ I will save him;

אֲשַׂגְּבֵֽהוּ I will strengthen him,

כִּי־יָדַע שְׁמִי: for he knows My Name.

יִקְרָאֵֽנִי וְאֶעֱנֵֽהוּ When he calls upon Me, I will answer him;

עִמּוֹ־אָנֹכִי בְצָרָה I am with him in distress,

אֲחַלְּצֵֽהוּ וַאֲכַבְּדֵֽהוּ: I will free him and honor him.

❖אֹֽרֶךְ יָמִים אַשְׂבִּיעֵֽהוּ I will satiate him with longevity,

וְאַרְאֵֽהוּ בִּישׁוּעָתִי: and will let him see My deliverance.

אֹֽרֶךְ יָמִים אַשְׂבִּיעֵֽהוּ I will satiate him with longevity,

וְאַרְאֵֽהוּ בִּישׁוּעָתִי: and will let him see My deliverance.

תהלים צח Psalm 98

מִזְמוֹר A Psalm.

שִֽׁירוּ לַיהֹוָה שִׁיר חָדָשׁ Sing to Adonoy, a new song⁶⁶God will remember the kindness He promised to Israel, because of His faithfulness.— Etz Yosef

כִּי־נִפְלָאוֹת עָשָׂה for He has performed wonders;

הוֹשִֽׁיעָה־לּוֹ יְמִינוֹ His right hand effected deliverance for Him

וּזְרֽוֹעַ קָדְשׁוֹ: [as did] His holy arm.

הוֹדִֽיעַ יְהֹוָה יְשׁוּעָתוֹ Adonoy has made known⁶⁷This Psalm, like the previous ones, refers to the future when God will render final judgment on the world and its inhabitants. His deliverance,

לְעֵינֵי הַגּוֹיִם before the eyes of the nations

גִּלָּה צִדְקָתוֹ: He has revealed His justice.

זָכַר חַסְדּוֹ He remembered His kindliness

וֶאֱמוּנָתוֹ and faithfulness⁶⁸This will be made known through His prophets.—Etz Yosef

לְבֵית יִשְׂרָאֵל to the House of Israel;

רָאוּ כָל־אַפְסֵי־אָֽרֶץ all the ends of the earth have seen

אֵת יְשׁוּעַת אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ: the deliverance of our God.

הָרִֽיעוּ לַיהֹוָה Raise your voice unto Adonoy

כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ all [inhabitants of] the earth!

פִּצְחוּ burst forth into exultation,

וְרַנְּנוּ וְזַמֵּֽרוּ: sing, and play music!

זַמְּרוּ לַיהֹוָה בְּכִנּוֹר Play to Adonoy with a harp,

בְּכִנּוֹר וְקוֹל זִמְרָה: with harp and the sound of music.

בַּחֲצֹצְרוֹת וְקוֹל שׁוֹפָר With trumpets and the sound of the shofar

הָרִֽיעוּ לִפְנֵי הַמֶּֽלֶךְ יְהֹוָה: raise your voices before the King, Adonoy.

יִרְעַם הַיָּם וּמְלֹאוֹ The sea and its fullness, will roar with joy!

תֵּבֵל וְיֽשְׁבֵי בָהּ: [also] the world and those who dwell therein.

❖נְהָרוֹת יִמְחֲאוּ־כָף Rivers will clap hands,

יַֽחַד הָרִים יְרַנֵּֽנוּ: together, mountains will sing.

לִפְנֵי־יְהֹוָה Before Adonoy

כִּי בָא לִשְׁפֹּט הָאָֽרֶץ when He comes to judge the earth;

יִשְׁפֹּט־תֵּבֵל בְּצֶֽדֶק He will judge mankind with righteousness

וְעַמִּים בְּמֵישָׁרִים: and peoples with uprightness.

תהלים קכא Psalm 121

שִׁיר לַמַּעֲלוֹת A Song of Ascents.

אֶשָּׂא עֵינַי אֶל־הֶהָרִים I will lift my eyes to the mountains:

מֵאַֽיִן יָבֹא עֶזְרִי: from where will my help come?

עֶזְרִי מֵעִם יְהֹוָה My help comes from Adonoy,

עֹשֵׂה שָׁמַֽיִם וָאָֽרֶץ: Maker of heaven and earth.

אַל־יִתֵּן לַמּוֹט רַגְלֶֽךָ He will not let your foot slip,

אַל־יָנוּם שֹׁמְרֶֽךָ: He will not slumber—your Guardian.

הִנֵּה לֹא־יָנוּם Behold, He does not slumber

וְלֹא יִישָׁן שׁוֹמֵר יִשְׂרָאֵל: nor does He sleep—the Guardian of Israel!

יְהֹוָה שֹׁמְרֶֽךָ Adonoy is your Guardian,

יְהֹוָה צִלְּךָ עַל־יַד יְמִינֶֽךָ: Adonoy is your shelter at your right hand.

יוֹמָם הַשֶּֽׁמֶשׁ לֹא־יַכֶּֽכָּה By day the sun will not smite you,

וְיָרֵֽחַ בַּלָּֽיְלָה: nor the moon at night.

❖יְהֹוָה יִשְׁמָרְךָ מִכָּל־רָע Adonoy will guard you from all evil;

יִשְׁמֹר אֶת־נַפְשֶֽׁךָ: He will preserve your soul.

יְהֹוָה יִשְׁמָר־צֵאתְךָ וּבוֹאֶֽךָ Adonoy will guard your going and coming,

מֵעַתָּה וְעַד־עוֹלָם: from now and forever.

תהלים קכב Psalm 122

שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת לְדָוִד A Song of Ascents of David.

שָׂמַֽחְתִּי בְּאֹמְרִים לִי I rejoiced when they said to me,

בֵּית יְהֹוָה נֵלֵךְ: “To the House of Adonoy let us go.”

עֹמְדוֹת הָיוּ רַגְלֵֽינוּ Our feet stood

בִּשְׁעָרַֽיִךְ יְרוּשָׁלָֽםִ: within your gates, Jerusalem.

יְרוּשָׁלַֽםִ הַבְּנוּיָה Jerusalem which is built

כְּעִיר שֶׁחֻבְּרָה־לָּהּ יַחְדָּו: as a city that fosters togetherness.

שֶׁשָּׁם עָלוּ שְׁבָטִים There the tribes went up,

שִׁבְטֵי־יָהּ the tribes of God,

עֵדוּת לְיִשְׂרָאֵל as a testimony of Israel;

לְהֹדוֹת לְשֵׁם יְהֹוָה: to give thanks to the Name of Adonoy.

כִּי שָֽׁמָּה For there,

יָשְׁבוּ כִסְאוֹת לְמִשְׁפָּט were set thrones for judgment,

כִּסְאוֹת לְבֵית דָּוִד: thrones of the House of David.

שַׁאֲלוּ שְׁלוֹם יְרוּשָׁלָֽםִ Inquire after the peace of Jerusalem;

יִשְׁלָֽיוּ אֹהֲבָֽיִךְ: may those who love you enjoy serenity.

יְהִי־שָׁלוֹם בְּחֵילֵךְ Peace be within your walls,

שַׁלְוָה בְּאַרְמְנוֹתָֽיִךְ: serenity within your palaces.

❖לְמַֽעַן אַחַי וְרֵעָי For the sake of my brethren and companions,

אֲדַבְּרָה־נָּא שָׁלוֹם בָּךְ: I will say, “Peace be with you.”

לְמַֽעַן בֵּית־יְהֹוָה For the sake of the House of Adonoy

אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ our God,

אֲבַקְשָׁה טוֹב לָךְ: I will seek your good.

תהלים קכג Psalm 123

שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת A Song of Ascents.

אֵלֶֽיךָ נָשָֽׂאתִי אֶת־עֵינַי To You I will lift my eyes,

הַיּשְׁבִי בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם: [to You] Who dwells in heaven.

הִנֵּה כְעֵינֵי עֲבָדִים Behold, as the eyes of servants [look]

אֶל־יַד אֲדוֹנֵיהֶם toward the hand of their master,

כְּעֵינֵי שִׁפְחָה as the eyes of a maiden [look]

אֶל־יַד גְּבִרְתָּהּ toward the hand of her mistress;

כֵּן עֵינֵֽינוּ אֶל־יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ so our eyes [look] toward Adonoy our God

עַד שֶׁיְּחָנֵּֽנוּ: until he is gracious to us.

חָנֵּֽנוּ יְהֹוָה חָנֵּֽנוּ Be gracious to us, Adonoy, be gracious to us

כִּי־רַב שָׂבַֽעְנוּ בוּז: for we are fully satiated with humiliation.

❖רַבַּת שָֽׂבְעָה־לָּהּ נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ Our soul is fully satiated

הַלַּֽעַג הַשַּׁאֲנַנִּים with the scorning of those who are at ease,

הַבּוּז with the humiliation

לִגְאֵי יוֹנִֽים: of the arrogant oppressors.

תהלים קכד Psalm 124

שִׁיר הַמַּעֲלוֹת לְדָוִד A Song of Ascents of David.

לוּלֵי יְהֹוָה שֶׁהָֽיָה לָֽנוּ “Had it not been for Adonoy Who was for us,”

יֹֽאמַר־נָא יִשְׂרָאֵל: let Israel now say.

לוּלֵי יְהֹוָה “Had it not been for Adonoy

שֶׁהָֽיָה לָֽנוּ Who was for us,

בְּקוּם עָלֵֽינוּ אָדָם: when men rose up against us.

אֲזַי חַיִּים בְּלָעֽוּנוּ They would have then swallowed us alive,

בַּחֲרוֹת אַפָּם בָּֽנוּ: when their wrath blazed against us.

אֲזַי הַמַּֽיִם שְׁטָפֽוּנוּ The waters would have then swept us away,

נַֽחְלָה עָבַר עַל־נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ: affliction would have passed over our soul.

אֲזַי עָבַר עַל־נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ Then over our soul would have gone

הַמַּֽיִם הַזֵּידוֹנִים: the impetuous waters.

בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה Blessed is Adonoy,

שֶׁלֹּא נְתָנָֽנוּ Who did not give us

טֶֽרֶף לְשִׁנֵּיהֶם: as prey to their teeth.

❖נַפְשֵֽׁנוּ כְּצִפּוֹר נִמְלְטָה Our soul escaped as a bird

מִפַּח יוֹקְשִׁים out of the fowler's snare;

הַפַּח נִשְׁבָּר וַאֲנַֽחְנוּ נִמְלָֽטְנוּ: the snare is broken and we escaped.

עֶזְרֵֽנוּ בְּשֵׁם יְהֹוָה Our help is in the Name of Adonoy,

עֹשֵׂה שָׁמַֽיִם וָאָֽרֶץ: Maker of heaven and earth.”

תהלים קלה Psalm 135

In this psalm, David praises God for choosing the people of Isreal as His treasured people. He also speaks of those who will ultimately be worthy of serving Him, in the rebuilt House of God, in the Messianic era.

הַלְלוּיָהּ Praise God,

הַלְלוּ אֶת־שֵׁם יְהֹוָה Praise the Name of Adonoy,

הַלְלוּ עַבְדֵי יְהֹוָה: Praise [Him], servants of Adonoy.

שֶׁעֹמְדִים בְּבֵית יְהֹוָה [You] who stand in the House of Adonoy,

בְּחַצְרוֹת בֵּית אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ: in the courtyards of the House of our God.

הַלְלוּיָהּ כִּי־טוֹב יְהֹוָה Praise God, for Adonoy is good,

זַמְּרוּ לִשְׁמוֹ כִּי נָעִים: sing to His Name which is pleasant.

כִּי־יַעֲקֹב בָּחַר לוֹ יָהּ For God chose Jacob to be His,

יִשְׂרָאֵל לִסְגֻלָּתוֹ: Israel for His treasure.

כִּי אֲנִי יָדַֽעְתִּי For I know

כִּי־גָדוֹל יְהֹוָה that Adonoy is great,

וַאֲדֹנֵֽינוּ מִכָּל־אֱלֹהִים: our Master [is greater] than all gods.

כֹּל אֲשֶׁר־חָפֵץ יְהֹוָה All that was desired by Adonoy,

עָשָׂה בַּשָּׁמַֽיִם וּבָאָֽרֶץ He has done in heaven and on earth,

בַּיַּמִּים וְכָל־תְּהֹמוֹת: in the seas and all the depths.

מַעֲלֶה נְשִׂאִים He causes clouds to rise

מִקְצֵה הָאָֽרֶץ from the ends of the earth;

בְּרָקִים לַמָּטָר עָשָׂה lightning for the rain He makes;

מֽוֹצֵא־רֽוּחַ מֵאוֹצְרוֹתָיו: He brings forth winds from His vaults.

שֶׁהִכָּה בְּכוֹרֵי מִצְרָֽיִם He struck down the firstborn of Egypt

מֵאָדָם עַד־בְּהֵמָה: both man and beast.

שָׁלַח אוֹתֹת וּמֹפְתִים He sent signs and wonders

בְּתוֹכֵֽכִי מִצְרָֽיִם into the midst of Egypt,

בְּפַרְעֹה וּבְכָל־עֲבָדָיו: upon Pharaoh and upon all his servants.

שֶׁהִכָּה גּוֹיִם רַבִּים For He smote many nations,

וְהָרַג מְלָכִים עֲצוּמִים: and slew mighty kings:

לְסִיחוֹן מֶֽלֶךְ הָאֱמֹרִי Sichon, King of the Amorites,

וּלְעוֹג מֶֽלֶךְ הַבָּשָׁן and Og, King of the Bashan,

וּלְכֹל מַמְלְכוֹת כְּנָֽעַן: and all the kingdoms of Canaan.

וְנָתַן אַרְצָם נַחֲלָה And He gave their lands as an inheritance,

נַחֲלָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל עַמּוֹ: an inheritance to Israel, His people.

יְהֹוָה שִׁמְךָ לְעוֹלָם Adonoy is Your Name forever,

יְהֹוָה זִכְרְךָ לְדֹר־וָדֹר: Adonoy is Your mention for generations.

כִּי־יָדִין יְהֹוָה עַמּוֹ For Adonoy judges His people,⁶⁹According to Seporno, the verse is translated, ‘When Adonoy judges on behalf of His people, referring to the judgement of all who oppressed the Jewish people.

וְעַל־עֲבָדָיו יִתְנֶחָם: and upon His servants will He relent.

עֲצַבֵּי הַגּוֹיִם The idols⁷⁰ עֲצַבֵּי is related to עֶצֶב which means ‘sadness’ or ‘grief.’ Idols bring only grief to those who depend on them.— Radak of the nations,

כֶּֽסֶף וְזָהָב are of silver and gold,

מַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵי אָדָם: products of human hands:

פֶּה־לָהֶם וְלֹא יְדַבֵּֽרוּ They have a mouth but do not speak;

עֵינַֽיִם לָהֶם וְלֹא יִרְאוּ: they have eyes but do not see.

אָזְנַֽיִם לָהֶם וְלֹא יַאֲזִֽינוּ They have ears but do not listen;

אַף אֵין־יֶשׁ־רֽוּחַ בְּפִיהֶם: nor is there any breath in their mouth.

כְּמוֹהֶם יִהְיוּ עֹשֵׂיהֶם Like them let their makers be—

כֹּל אֲשֶׁר־בֹּטֵֽחַ בָּהֶם: all who trust in them.

❖בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל בָּרְכוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה House of Israel, bless Adonoy!⁷¹The entire house of Israel is urged to bless God Who set us apart from the other nations and made us His people. Israel is told to bless God for its own unique position and manner of serving Him.— Ibn Ezra

בֵּית אַהֲרֹן בָּרְכוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה: House of Aaron, bless Adonoy!

בֵּית הַלֵּוִי בָּרְכוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה House of Levi, bless Adonoy!

יִרְאֵי יְהֹוָה בָּרְכוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה: [You] who fear Adonoy,⁷²This refers to those among the nations who converted to Judaism because of their fear and recognition of God. bless Adonoy!

בָּרוּךְ יְהֹוָה מִצִּיּוֹן Blessed is Adonoy from Zion,

שֹׁכֵן יְרוּשָׁלָֽםִ He Who dwells in Jerusalem.

הַלְלוּיָהּ: Praise God.

תהלים קלו Psalm 136

The Talmud ( Pesachim 118a) calls this psalm הַלֵל הַגָדוֹל, the great praise, because it describes how God, enthroned on high, sustains every living creature. The first twenty four verses call on us to thank God, the Master of the Universe, Who created it, redeemed us from Egypt, caused us to inherit the lands of Sichon and Og, and delivered us from our enemies. The twenty-fifth verse, נוֹתֵן לֶחֶם לְכָל בָּשָׂר, He gives food to all flesh, is viewed as the climax of the entire psalm . Feeding every creature, day in and day out, is the greatest manifestation of God's provident kindliness. Though He rules in supreme splendor, God is close to the needs of every creature.

הוֹדוּ לַיהֹוָה כִּי־טוֹב Thank Adonoy for He is good,

כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ: for His kindliness endures forever.⁷³This refrain is repeated in all twenty-six verses of the Psalm. We thereby declare that each act of kindliness for which we thank God is not of a temporary nature, lasting merely a day or a year. The effect of His kindliness endures forever, and we continually reap the benefits of every act of Divine kindliness.—Sfas Emes

הוֹדוּ לֵאלֹהֵי הָאֱלֹהִים Thank the God of gods,