Questions tagged [tehilim-psalms]
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.
327
questions
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Who are the bene elim?
In Tehilim 29:1, it mentions the bene elim. Who are they? Please cite sources. It seems to have been quoted in the piyut Shinamim by Solomon Ibn Gabirol (page 134 of the Spanish Portuguese Kippur ...
- 342
4
votes
0
answers
99
views
Vihi Noam at bedtime Shema on Tishah beAv
Mishneh Torah Tefilah uVirkat Kohanim 7:2 mentions verses of mercy being read before going to bed. Shevuot 15b relates that R' Yehoshua ben Levi used to say (at least the first half of) Psalm 91, and ...
- 7,262
1
vote
1
answer
93
views
Is a Mezuzah an Angel?
While reading Tehillim 119:164 commentary on " שֶׁ֣בַע בַּ֖יּוֹם הִלַּלְתִּ֑יךָ ", the interlinear Schottenstein Edition stated :
Midrashically this also refers to seven mitzvos with which ...
- 1,370
2
votes
1
answer
82
views
How did Nachshon ben-Aminadav (נַחְשׁ֖וֹן בֶּן־עַמִּֽינָדָֽב) originally get linked to Tehillim 114:2?
In Tehillim 114:2 [MT], we are told after the Exodus that: "Yehudah became His Sanctuary, Yisrael His dominion (הָֽיְתָ֣ה יְהוּדָ֣ה לְקָדְשׁ֑וֹ יִ֜שְׂרָאֵ֗ל מַמְשְׁלוֹתָֽיו)".
The ...
- 1,370
1
vote
0
answers
62
views
Source for Tehillim 19:9 after tzitzit?
I remember in a siddur I used in Israel, after the Yehi Ratzon right after donning Tzitzit in the morning, it had the words from the second half of Tehillim 19:9, starting with "Mitzvat HaShem...&...
- 1,035
1
vote
1
answer
135
views
בְּצִלְצְלֵי שָׁמַע or בְצִלְצְלֵי שָׁמַע
in some siddurim the line in Tehillim 150 is written הַלְלוּהוּ בְּצִלְצְלֵי שָׁמַע. הַלְלוּהוּ בְּצִלְצְלֵי תְרוּעָה while in others it is written with a veis in the first "b'tziltzilei" ...
user23976
2
votes
0
answers
81
views
Can one say Shir Hamaalos without a Minyan?
During the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, many congregations say שיר המעלות after Yishtabach. Is there any problem saying שיר המעלות without a minyan?
- 570
3
votes
0
answers
39
views
Smichut or Noun and adjective in Lashon remiya (Tehilim 120)
In Tehilim 120:2 and 3 we find lashon remiya (לשון רמייה) where lamed has qamets:
יְֽהוָ֗ה הַצִּ֣ילָה נַ֭פְשִׁי מִשְּׂפַת־שֶׁ֑קֶר מִלָּשׁ֥וֹן רְמִיָּֽה׃ מַה־יִּתֵּ֣ן לְ֭ךָ וּמַה־יֹּסִ֥יף לָ֗ךְ ...
3
votes
0
answers
66
views
Tehilim divided over thirty days - when there are only 29 days
In most Tehilim's there is a division of the tehilim for thirty days. What does one do in a month that has 29 days? Do you say the Tehilim for the 30th day, on the 29th of that month, or on the 1st of ...
- 138k
1
vote
1
answer
117
views
Why "I have been young" in Psalm 37?
The psalmist said, in a line we also recite in birkat hamazon:
נַ֤עַר ׀ הָיִ֗יתִי גַּם־זָ֫קַ֥נְתִּי וְֽלֹא־רָ֭אִיתִי צַדִּ֣יק נֶעֱזָ֑ב וְ֝זַרְע֗וֹ מְבַקֶּשׁ־לָֽחֶם -- I have been young, and I am now ...
- 19.1k
10
votes
2
answers
139
views
Connection between Tehillim 68 and the Song of Deborah?
I've noticed a number of similarities between the language of Tehillim 68 and the Song of Deborah (Shofetim 5).
Some examples:
Tehillim 68:8-9:
אֱֽלֹהִ֗ים בְּ֭צֵאתְךָ לִפְנֵ֣י עַמֶּ֑ךָ ...
- 40.2k
8
votes
1
answer
183
views
Why recite the Psalms verses out of order?
The Talmud (RH 32b) lists the three Torah verses suitable for mention in the Kingship section of Rosh Hashana's Musaf as Num 23:21, Deu 33:5 and Exo 15:18. The Tur (OC 591) among others quotes R' Hai ...
- 96.3k
3
votes
3
answers
130
views
Why do the last words in psalms 119:11 seem superfluous?
Psalms 119:11 in the Koren Jerusalem Tanakh appears (in English) to say:
"Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee".
I was ...
- 423
0
votes
1
answer
114
views
Word count methods
I asked a question about the orthography of two words in the last chapter of the Shema, and I started to wonder, whether the presence of a maqaf mattered with respect to word count. And if you ...
- 7,262
3
votes
1
answer
81
views
h-r-g vs r-tz-ch in Tehillim 94
As an extension of this question, I guess.
Tehillim 94 discusses the vengeance asked of Hashem to repay the evil done to the downtrodden. It asks "until When, Hashem, will you put up with this&...
- 37.4k
-4
votes
1
answer
115
views
If one may not say tehillim at night, why did King Dovid?
If one may not say tehillim at night, why did King Dovid? As related in begining of Gemara Brochos.
Saying Tehilim after shkia
- 1,299
4
votes
0
answers
55
views
Psalms after the evening prayer
The other day I was discussing with a friend the daily recital of Psalm 83 after the morning prayer, when this friend told me that it was also said after the evening prayer if it was said early,* and ...
- 7,262
4
votes
2
answers
605
views
What is the source that says David wrote Psalms / Tehillim while hiding from Saul
I'm trying to find the source of the common tradition that David wrote at least part of Tehillim while on the run from Shaul, but I can't find any sources. Does anyone here know of a source for this ...
- 149
1
vote
1
answer
637
views
Why is sleep spelled with an aleph in Tehillim 127?
In Tehillim 127:2, the author spells the word for sleep as שנא:
Source: Wikisource
I found this unusual, as the word is usually spelled שנה in Tanach (Tehillim 90:5, Mishlei 6:4, and Mishlei 20:13). ...
- 33.8k
0
votes
0
answers
102
views
What is the meaning of Psalms 118:5?
מִן־הַ֖מֵּצַֽר קָרָ֣אתִי יָּ֑הּ עָ֜נָ֗נִי בַּמֶּרְחָ֣ב יָֽהּ
From the straits I called God; God answered me with a vast expanse.
I put הַ֖מֵּצַֽר into a contemporary Hebrew dictionary and it does ...
- 101
2
votes
0
answers
82
views
Does anyone know of a place on the web I can find Kabbalat Shabbat sung from the people in a synagogue (preferably Ashkenazi)? [closed]
Here is a perfect example of authentic singing, this is what I'm looking for but for Kabbalat Shabbat.
The problem for me is when people solo Tehillim they make their own version and that is not what ...
1
vote
0
answers
169
views
Connection between Tehillim 22 and Purim?
A few years ago, I started hearing around Purim-time the song "Keli, keli, lamah azavtani" - ק-לי ק-לי, למה עזבתני, which comes from Tehillim 22:2:
אֵלִ֣י אֵ֭לִי לָמָ֣ה עֲזַבְתָּ֑נִי רָח֥וֹק ...
- 23.6k
3
votes
0
answers
34
views
Why introduce the same pasuk differently in Shacharit for Shabbat?
The pasuk (Tehillim 146:10)
יִמְלֹ֤ךְ יְהוָ֨ה ׀ לְעוֹלָ֗ם אֱלֹהַ֣יִךְ צִ֭יּוֹן לְדֹ֥ר וָדֹ֗ר הַֽלְלוּ־יָֽהּ
Is used at the conclusion of the Kedusha. However, in most iterations, it is introduced ...
- 37.4k
0
votes
1
answer
181
views
Why do we recite Psalm 150 every day?
Psalm 150 says:
Praise the Lord with the trumpet, psaltery, harp, timbrel, stringed instruments, organs, loud cymbals and high-sounding cymbals.
We haven't used musical instruments in worship since ...
- 19.1k
4
votes
1
answer
145
views
Berachot 4b - What's so special about an alphabetical acrostic?
The Talmud in Berachot 4b states:
אמר רבי אלעזר א"ר אבינא כל האומר תהלה לדוד בכל יום שלש פעמים מובטח לו שהוא בן העולם הבא מאי טעמא אילימא משום דאתיא באל"ף בי"ת נימא אשרי תמימי דרך ...
- 48.7k
2
votes
0
answers
79
views
What did Rabbi Yannai understand about 'Mi Ha-ish'?
The Midrash [Leviticus R. 16:2] says:
A peddler used to make the rounds of the towns near Sepphoris, crying out: "Who wishes to buy the potion for a long life?" and drawing large crowds ...
- 19.1k
5
votes
1
answer
118
views
Where is the first time that Tehillim, Mishlei, Iyov are referred to as ספרי אמ"ת?
The books of Tehillim, Mishlei, Iyov are often referred as ספרי אמ"ת. Where is the first source making this reference?
- 6,825
5
votes
1
answer
216
views
What religious music would have been sung in Israel after the time of David and Solomon?
I'm almost afraid to ask this question here for fear of being shot down in flames because I'm not Jewish. However, nothing ventured, etc.....
I understand that many of the Psalms were put to music ...
- 437
-1
votes
1
answer
72
views
Two gender switches in one Posuk "וַיְהִי בְשָׁלֵם סֻכּוֹ וּמְעוֹנָתוֹ בְצִיּוֹן"
וַיְהִי בְשָׁלֵם סֻכּוֹ וּמְעוֹנָתוֹ בְצִיּוֹן׃
Salem became His abode; Zion, His den. (Tehhilim 76.3)
In the same Posuk סוכה becomes masculine (סוכו) and מעון becomes feminine (מעונתו). In proper ...
- 25.5k
2
votes
0
answers
81
views
Should I pray to God based on my own merit?
In the book of Tehillim (Psalms), Chapter 86, King David says the following:
שָֽׁמְרָ֣ה נַפְשִׁי֮ כִּֽי־חָסִ֪יד אָ֥נִי הוֹשַׁ֣ע עַ֭בְדְּךָ אַתָּ֣ה אֱלֹהַ֑י הַבּוֹטֵ֥חַ אֵלֶֽיךָ׃
...
- 9,449
4
votes
2
answers
124
views
Dikduk question on psalm 93
This question bothers me every Friday night; I have looked at various Bible translations and traditional commentators but have not found an answer.
In Psalm 93 we have the phrase:
נָֽשְׂא֤וּ ...
- 445
-1
votes
1
answer
183
views
Psalm 34: why heh and vav share a verse [duplicate]
Psalms Chapter 34 is written in an acrostic, where every letter of the alef beis starts a verse. However, verse 6 starts with a ה, and the second half starts with a ו. The next verse starts with a ז, ...
- 19.2k
6
votes
1
answer
126
views
Grammatical difficulty in root אשר (happy)
The root אשר seems to act weirdly in relation to number.
On the one hand, it takes on plural morphology in situations that are clearly singular, here in the form of a plural (const.) noun (...
- 141
2
votes
0
answers
56
views
Question about the comma in Psalm 82:1
I've a short question about Psalm 82, verse 1.
The hebrew reads: מִזְמוֹר לְאָסָף אֱלֹהִים נִצָּב בַּעֲדַת־אֵל בְּקֶרֶב אֱלֹהִים יִשְׁפֹּט
So how should one read these verse?
1. Is it that G-d will ...
- 7,268
2
votes
0
answers
53
views
Where does HaShem stands and in which council?
Psalm 82 teaches that Elohim (אלהים) stands (נצב to position oneself) within the council/congregation (עדת-אל) of El, among/amidst (בקרב) elohiem (אלהים) He judge (ישפט).
Someone told me to look at ...
- 7,268
3
votes
2
answers
105
views
How should we serve God?
Psalm 100 says:
עִבְד֣וּ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה בְּשִׂמְחָ֑ה
Serve God with joy.
Psalm 2 says:
עִבְד֣וּ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה בְּיִרְאָ֑ה וְ֝גִ֗ילוּ בִּרְעָדָֽה
Serve God with awe/fear; tremble with fright.
...
- 19.1k
2
votes
1
answer
215
views
Did David Hamelech reference his mother's name in Tehillim?
I'm pretty sure I heard this at Shul:
Someone asked R' Zilberstein if he's allowed to publicly praise his living mother, if she doesn't want to be honored. So I think R' Zilvberstein answered that ...
- 895
1
vote
1
answer
92
views
Recitation of Psalm 27 between Elul and Shmini Atzeret [duplicate]
Psalm 27 (leDavid Hashem ori) is said between Elul and Shmini Atzeret at shacharit and mincha in nusach sfard and at shacharit and arvit in nusach ashkenaz.
What is the origin of this practice and ...
- 44.6k
4
votes
2
answers
109
views
Rashi's commentary on Deut. 4:19
I'm having trouble understanding how Rashi is reading Tehillim 36:3 in his commentary on Deut. 4:19.
In Rashi's commentary on Deut. 4:19, he puts forward two possible interpretations of "asher ...
- 43
4
votes
1
answer
48
views
Among which "people" should we make "his deeds known"?
Beginning of Psalm 105:
.הודוּ לה' קִרְאוּ בִשְׁמו. הודִיעוּ בָעַמִּים עֲלִילותָיו
Give thanks to the Lord, call out in His name; make His deeds known among the peoples.
Which people? Fellow Jews? ...
- 2,171
6
votes
2
answers
162
views
Is any of Tehillim considered prophecy?
Most of Tehillim was written by David about himself. Are there any psalms that are considered prophecy or even messianic prophecy?
- 1,472
0
votes
1
answer
61
views
Whose spirit and whose lips are referred to in Psalms 106:33?
32וַיַּקְצִיפוּ עַל־מֵי מְרִיבָה וַיֵּרַע לְמֹשֶׁה בַּעֲבוּרָם ׃
33: כִּי־הִמְרוּ אֶת־רוּחוֹ וַיְבַטֵּא בִּשְׂפָתָיו׃
32: They provoked wrath at the waters of Meribah and Moses suffered on ...
- 232
2
votes
1
answer
101
views
Why are the number of blessings in the Amidah linked to Psalm 29?
The Gemoro in Berochos 28b asks about the 18 blessings in the Amidah:
גמ׳ הני שמונה עשרה כנגד מי
Corresponding to what were these eighteen blessings instituted?
The Gemoro offers three ...
- 46.6k
-5
votes
1
answer
46
views
Commentary on Psalm 23:4 is this accurate? [closed]
raashi commentary on the verse in psalm
"Valley of the shadow of death"
Good nefeshim do not suffer the pangs of death as much as evil nefeshim suffer, for the hazaruth ha mautim touches the ...
2
votes
0
answers
2k
views
Tehillim for segulot [closed]
I'm trying to write a master list of all tehillim to read for various segulot, excluding shimusha tehillim. I've compiled the following, but I'm curious if there are any more:
(also I can't figure out ...
- 1,122
3
votes
1
answer
99
views
How does everything that breathes praise God?
I know this was asked before as a joke, but it really IS a serious question. Psalm 150 says:
כֹּ֣ל הַ֭נְּשָׁמָה תְּהַלֵּ֥ל יָ֗הּ
Everything that breathes praises God.
This includes cats, dogs, ...
- 19.1k
7
votes
2
answers
318
views
Why are there 7 inverted letter nuns in Tehillim 107?
In the Masoretic text of Tehillim 107 there are 7 pesukim which contain an inverted letter nun (similar to those in Sefer Bamidbar). In my standard edition Mikraot Gedolot none of the commentaries ...
- 13k
1
vote
0
answers
55
views
Why break Hallel in the middle of a parsha?
On Pesach night, following Beis Hillel we break up Hallel between חלמיש למעינו מים and לא לנו.
This is in the middle of a parsha, according to the Keter (navigate to Psalms --> From 114_2 to 118_1) ...
- 9,037
0
votes
1
answer
119
views
Sforno to Tehillim 69:3
Is Sforno to Tehillim available anywhere online? I would like to know his commentary to Tehillim 69:3. Edit, I found it on http://www.hebrewbooks.org/42435 but it is published in 1586 and ...
user18976
1
vote
1
answer
127
views
What do we know about the Leviim singing the Psalm of the day?
We know which Psalm the Leviim sang in the Temple each day of the week (we say it in the morning davening each day). The question here asks,
What do we know about this ritual? For example: When did ...
- 7,764