One of the books that make up the "Kesuvim" (or "Writings). Composed mostly by King David, but includes chapters by Adam, Avraham, King Shlomo (Solomon) and others.
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Is Psalm 110 considered messianic
How do Jews interpret Psalm 110? (Christians see it as a messianic reference.) I am specifically interested in verse 1 - "The Lord saith unto my lord." Jesus quotes this in Matthew 22:44, and ...
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0answers
25 views
What is the source for the Baal Shem Tov’s application of Psalm 122 (1) to a marriage?
I seem to remember a Dvar Torah from the Baal Shem Tov that reinterprets the first verse of Psalm 122
I rejoiced when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord."
into a dialogue ...
6
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0answers
49 views
How do we translate חַטָּאִים?
Isaiah 1 (28): And destruction shall come over rebels and sinners
together, and those who forsake the Lord shall perish. כח.
וְשֶׁבֶר פֹּשְׁעִים וְחַטָּאִים יַחְדָּו וְעֹזְבֵי יְהֹוָה ...
2
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0answers
28 views
Why stand for responsive T'hilim?
For many a distressful situation (that should not come!), people organize a communal recitation of parts of the book of T'hilim (Psalms). In some of these, there is a leader, who recites each verse ...
5
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3answers
109 views
Who is the author of Tehilim 137?
Who is the accepted author of Psalm 137, and if it was David Hamelech, then is it accepted as a prophecy?
2
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0answers
48 views
How can we say “I have not seen a righteous man foresaken . . .”? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
“I never saw a tzaddik be abandoned…” - how do we understand this?
Rabbi Emanuel Feldman, shlita, in the January 23, 2013, issue of Mishpacha gave his list of the ten ...
2
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3answers
78 views
Midrashic sources regarding the Sea splitting into twelve paths
Tehilim 136:13 says:
לְגֹזֵר יַם סוּף לִגְזָרִים כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּוֹ
To Him Who cut the Sea of Reeds asunder, for His kindness is eternal.
Rashi's commentary indicates that this is ...
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1answer
115 views
Translation of פתחו לי שערי צדק
What is the most accurate English translation of the famous verse from Tehillim (Psalms)
פתחו לי שערי צדק
?
5
votes
4answers
322 views
What ancient sources discuss the meaning of Psalm 22?
Many Christians believe Psalm 22 refers to Jesus of Nazareth. How have Jews historically understood Psalm 22 and interpreted it?
4
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1answer
114 views
Is it OK to say Tehillim whenever the inspiration strikes?
Barring a situation where prayer would be forbidden like an unclean area, is it OK to say Tehillim anywhere, at any time, even repeating the same chapter multiple times in succession?
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2answers
75 views
Tehilim divided into five sections?
According to Wikipedia, Jewish tradition divides the book of Tehilim into five sections (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150). This is unsourced there; the references at the bottom of the page ...
7
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3answers
139 views
Sitting for “Ashre”?
I have seen people seemingly careful to sit down when beginning the paragraph of prayers that starts "Ashre yosh've vesecha" (Ps. 84:5). One such person told me that he was, in fact, careful to do so, ...
3
votes
1answer
73 views
When did David Hamelech write Tehillim?
When did David Hamelech write Tehillim? Or to be more technical, when did David write his first Tehillim and when did he write his last?
Also was there a certain period of time within which he wrote a ...
2
votes
0answers
59 views
Difference in Tehillim 82:7 quoted in Avodah Zarah 5a
This is Tehillim 82:7 in Masoretic:
אֲנִי-אָמַרְתִּי, אֱלֹהִים אַתֶּם; וּבְנֵי עֶלְיוֹן כֻּלְּכֶם
Yet, see the following passage in Avodah Zarah 5a where Tehillim 82:6-7 is quoted by Rabbi ...
3
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2answers
91 views
When does one recite the verses preceding and following the recitation of Tehillim
In most printed Tehillim I've seen there are several verses included that one should say before (Tehillim 95:1–3) and after (Tehillim 14:7 and 37:39–40) completing the recitation of the Tehillim.
Are ...
7
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1answer
48 views
(Psalms 69 (14)) How do we understand אלקים ברב חסדך, rather than ה׳ ברב חסדך
I am used to the idea that the name אלקים connotes judgement and ה׳ mercy.
So how is it in Psalms 69 (14) , the Psalmist says “אלקים ברב חסדך”?
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0answers
46 views
Why are Psalms 136 verses 17 & 18 apparently out of historical order?
In Psalms 136, verses 17 and 18 refer to kings smitten or slain after Sihon and Og mentioned in verses 19 and 20. Why are the verses apparently out of historical order?
2
votes
0answers
74 views
What do Chazal mean when they say that when Moshiach comes there will be another note added to the octave making a total of 8 notes?
Related: What were Chazal referring to when they said there were 7 notes in a musical octave?
There is a well known Medrash (anyone help with the source?) [I think on the Posuk 'Lamnatzeich Al ...
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0answers
85 views
What were Chazal referring to when they said there were 7 notes in a musical octave?
Related: What do Chazal mean when they say that when Moshiach comes there will be another note added to the octave making a total of 8 notes?
There is a well known Medrash (anyone help with the ...
3
votes
1answer
36 views
Why do we say fear God because of the Benefits? Shouldnt it be Leshem Shomayim
It says (Tehilim 34:10):
יראו את ה' קדושיו כי אין מחסור ליראיו
Why do we tell the holy ones to fear God because they will lack nothing? The Mishnah (Avos 1:3) says one should serve God without ...
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0answers
103 views
Why is there a custom to join “Hashem” and “Elokenu” together in the line Al Taazvenu in Shema Kolenu in Selichot
In Shema Kolenu, based on the Posuk in Psalms 38:22 we say the phrase:
Al Taazvenu Hashem Elokenu Al tirchak mimenu | Don't leave us Hashem Our God Don't distance yourself from us.
The ...
4
votes
2answers
125 views
Why does David say that he only sinned against G-d?
In Psalm 51:6 David says that
"Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in Thy sight" (JPS)
I wondered why does he think that he sinned only against the Lord? I think he ...
2
votes
0answers
132 views
Aneni prayer for pregnancy best practice
What is best practice with regards to saying the Aneni prayer by a husband whose wife is in her 3rd month of pregnancy?
Should the prayer be said only once, or daily?
If daily, then is this only for ...
6
votes
2answers
113 views
When do we start reciting Psalm 27?
Yesterday being the 30th of Av (and Rosh Chodesh Elul), prompted a question at shul: exactly when do we start saying Psalm 27—on the first day of Elul or the first day of Rosh Chodesh Elul? Most ...
3
votes
1answer
112 views
Why don't translations of Tehilim 119 translate נשף like the Gemara?
The Gemara on Berachos 3b asserts that נשף can mean either "dawn" or "evening", and cites Tehilim 119:147 as an instance of "evening".
However, every translation I have seen of this verse - the ...
6
votes
2answers
108 views
Pirkei Avos on shabbos during mincha?
It seems clear from the Rama, MB, and other sources (as well as from most printed siddurim) that Pirkei Avos is said in the synagogue at Shabbos Mincha as part of the tefillah in the summer months, ...
4
votes
1answer
94 views
Psalm 145: Which Person?
Psalm 145 makes up the bulk of the oft recited prayer known as Ashrei. It is an alphabetic acrostic (missing the letter nun) about the greatness of God.
The verses beginning with Alef, Bet, Dalet, ...
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1answer
36 views
Why is Hashem's name attached to only some of His accomplishments in Tehillim 146?
Psalms 146:6ff lists twelve of Hashem's deeds:
עֹשֶׂה שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ
אֶת הַיָּם וְאֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁר בָּם
הַשֹּׁמֵר אֱמֶת לְעוֹלָם
עֹשֶׂה מִשְׁפָּט לָעֲשׁוּקִים
נֹתֵן לֶחֶם לָרְעֵבִים
ה' ...
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votes
2answers
129 views
How sick does someone have to be to be put on “the cholim list”?
By putting someone on a cholim list you are asking the tzibur to daven/ say tehillim on their behalf. How sick does someone need to be for it to be appropriate to put them on such a list?
6
votes
2answers
260 views
Tehilim HaChida - in the order of the Aleph Bais
I recently came across the Tehilim HaChida which is the entire Tehilim with the Pesukim rearranged in the order of the Aleph Bais by first letter. From the introduction it seems like it is a special ...
6
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2answers
126 views
The order of Tehillim
Sefer Tehillim (Psalms) consists of 150 mizmorim, most likely compiled (and perhaps even entirely written) by King David. The mizmorim are not in chronological order following the events that inspired ...
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3answers
260 views
Understanding of Ps. 137 before the exile
Psalm 137 starts (in my own translation)
On Babylon's rivers, there, we sat, also cried, in our remembering Zion.
and continues to describe the scene. Ibn Ezra cites some who hold that David ...
7
votes
2answers
126 views
Should we say Al Naharos Bavel?
Tehillim 137 is printed in several bentchers before birkas hamazon, but from what I have seen most people do not say it. What is the correct thing to do: say or omit? Are there different minhagim?
3
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1answer
93 views
Tehilim for an illness
What are the Chapters of Tehilim (Psalms) said for an ill person and what is the source in seforim and the reason for these particular chapters being chosen?
10
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1answer
176 views
Why do Sifrei Emes use different taamim?
I know that the Sifrei Emes (Tehillim, Mishlei, Iyov) use a different system of taamim. Why is this?
What is it about these books that makes it that they cannot — or should not — use the ...
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votes
2answers
94 views
Bais Vov & Kof in Tehilim 25; why are they missing?
In Tehilim ch. 25 it goes through the entire alphabet and skips the letter "Bais" "Vav" & "Kof"; why so?
3
votes
2answers
52 views
אַשְׁרֵי--שֶׁאֵל יַעֲקֹב בְּעֶזְרוֹ: Why Kel Yaakov?
Tehilim 146:5 says אַשְׁרֵי--שֶׁאֵל יַעֲקֹב בְּעֶזְרוֹ: why Kel Yaakov? Why not Kel Avraham or Kel Yitzchok?
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3answers
126 views
Does anyone have the preceding declaration before Tikkun HaKlali?
I know the specific Tehillim to recite for Tikkun HaKlali, but I'm looking for the Hebrew text (with nikkudos) of the declaration before and Reb Noson's prayer that follows the Tehillim. Is this ...
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1answer
123 views
Selah ~ Does it mean 'forever' 'certainly' 'basket' 'pause', 'yahoo', a kabbalistic meditative device, or none of the above?
Does anyone know a Jewish interpretation of "selah" in the psalms? Literally it seems to mean something about basket or hanging, but I don't know how this works into psalms.
Jewish sites say it may ...
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votes
2answers
168 views
Where do Ashrei's intro sentences in the liturgy before Psalm 145 (Ashrei) come from?
The sentences "Joyful are the inhabitants of Your House, constantly praising You. Joyful are the people for whom this is so" preface Ashrei. They aren't in the psalm that David wrote, 145, but a ...
3
votes
1answer
118 views
How do Jews understand this idiom in Psalm 40:7
Inspired by http://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/1294/hebrew-ot-translation-to-greek-nt, I wonder what Jews interpret this idiom, "אָזְנַיִם כָּרִיתָ לִּי," to mean.
The English Standard ...
0
votes
2answers
477 views
What does Psalm 82 mean?
6 I -- I have said, 'Gods ye are, And sons of the Most High -- all of you,
http://yltbible.com/psalms/82.htm
So how many gods are there? Who are "you" here? Are we all gods?
Here is the context. ...
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1answer
174 views
Who divided the Tehillim into days?
Who divided the Sefer Tehillim into daily sections (both day of week and day of month)?
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2answers
115 views
What is the proper pronunciation of ומפז?
Tehilim 19 which is said Shabbos morning at Shacharis has the following Posuk הנחמדים מזהב ומפז רב. I have seen Artscroll Sedurim with a Patach under the Pei of UmiPaz and I have seen Artscroll ...
7
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2answers
174 views
Stress of הושיעה and הצליחה in Hallel
Why is הושיעה Mileel (penultimately stressed) whereas הצליחה is Milra (ultimately stressed) in Psalms 118:25?
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2answers
127 views
Why is Yitzchak spelled with a “sin” in Tehillim 105:9?
I just came across this strange variant spelling this morning. I've been in the habit of reciting Tikkun HaKlali recently and saw this in Artscroll's Tehillim this past Shabbat. Thinking it was a ...
6
votes
2answers
355 views
Nun in Ashrei- Psalm 145
The prayer Ashrei, which we recite three times a day, is an acrostic consisting of all the letters of the Hebrew alphabet except for nun (נ). Why is the nun omitted?
3
votes
2answers
67 views
Tehillim while jogging
May I recite Tehillim while jogging or performing other kinds of physical exercise?
5
votes
4answers
509 views
The power of saying tehillim
When I was starting to become observant, at the end of shacharis one day, someone asked me "are you finished with tehillim?". I told them I don't know what that is. They told me "if we knew what was ...
3
votes
2answers
113 views
ה' ימלך לעלם ועד to ימלוך ה' לעולם
In Parshas Beshalach (and Emet Ve-Yatziv/Ve-Emunah) it says ה' ימלך לעלם ועד, but in Sefer Tehilim (and Kedushah) it says ימלוך ה' לעולם. Why the change in language?
