PSALMS (Introductions and Translations from Chabad.org):
Chapter 118
This psalm describes David's immense trust in G-d. It also contains many praises to G-d, Who has fulfilled that which He has promised us.
1. Offer praise to the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting. 2. Let Israel declare that His kindness is everlasting. 3. Let the House of Aaron declare that His kindness is everlasting. 4. Let those who fear the Lord declare that His kindness is everlasting. 5. From out of distress I called to G-d; with abounding relief, G-d answered me. 6. The Lord is with me, I do not fear-what can man do to me? 7. The Lord is with me among my helpers, and I will see [the downfall of] my enemies. 8. It is better to rely on the Lord than to trust in man. 9. It is better to rely on the Lord than to trust in nobles. 10. All the nations surrounded me, but in the Name of the Lord I will cut them down. 11. They surrounded me, they encompassed me, but in the Name of the Lord I will cut them down. 12. They surrounded me like bees, yet they shall be extinguished like fiery thorns; in the Name of the Lord I will cut them down. 13. You [my foes] repeatedly pushed me to fall, but the Lord helped me. 14. G-d is my strength and song, and He has been a help to me. 15. The sound of rejoicing and deliverance reverberates in the tents of the righteous, "The right hand of the Lord performs deeds of valor. 16. The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord performs deeds of valor!” 17. I shall not die, but I shall live and recount the deeds of G-d. 18. G-d has indeed chastised me, but He did not give me up to death. 19. Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter them and praise G-d. 20. This is the gate of the Lord, the righteous will enter it. 21. I offer thanks to You, for You have answered me, and You have been my deliverance. 22. The stone which the builders scorned has become the chief cornerstone. 23. From the Lord has this come about; it is wondrous in our eyes. 24. This is the day which the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice on it. 25. We implore You, Lord, deliver us. We implore You, Lord, grant us success. 26. Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord; we bless you from the House of the Lord. 27. The Lord is a benevolent G-d and He has given us light; bind the festival offering with cords until [you bring it to] the horns of the altar. 28. You are my G-d and I will praise You, my G-d-and I will exalt You. 29. Praise the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting.
Chapter 119
David composed this prominent psalm in alphabetical sequence-eight verses for each letter. Every verse contains one of the following words (referring to different aspects of Torah): Way; Torah; Testimony; Precept; Commandment; Statement (translated here as Word or Promise); Word; Judgment (or Laws); Righteousness; Statute. Replete with morals and prayers, this psalm should be recited daily, as a powerful preparation for the service of G-d. (In verses beginning with one of the letters of the mnemonic PeReTZ BeN DaMaH, the word "עדותיך" is pronounced "eidvotecha.")
1. Fortunate are those whose way is artless, who walk with the Torah of the Lord. 2. Fortunate are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with all their hearts. 3. Indeed, they have not done iniquity; they walk in His ways. 4. You have commanded Your precepts to be observed diligently. 5. My wish is that my ways be directed to keep Your statutes. 6. Then I will not be ashamed, when I behold all Your commandments. 7. I will give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteous judgments. 8. I will keep Your statutes; do not utterly forsake me 9. How can a young man keep his way pure? By observing Your word. 10. With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments. 11. I have harbored Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You. 12. Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes. 13. With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth. 14. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as I would with all riches. 15. I will speak of Your precepts, and gaze upon Your ways. 16. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. 17. Deal kindly with Your servant, that I may live to keep Your word. 18. Unveil my eyes, that I may behold wonders from Your Torah. 19. I am a sojourner on earth; do not hide Your commandments from me. 20. My soul is crushed with a longing for Your judgments every moment. 21. You have rebuked the accursed scoffers, those who stray from Your commandments. 22. Remove insult and contempt from me, for I have kept Your testimonies. 23. Though princes sat and spoke against me, Your servant speaks of Your statutes. 24. Indeed, Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counsellors. 25. My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me in accordance with Your word. 26. I have spoken of my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your statutes. 27. Make me understand the way of Your precepts, and I will speak of Your wonders. 28. My soul drips away out of grief; sustain me according to Your word. 29. Remove from me the way of falsehood, and graciously endow me with Your Torah. 30. I have chosen the way of faith; Your judgments have I laid before me. 31. I held fast to Your testimonies, O Lord; put me not to shame. 32. I will run on the path of Your commandments, for You will broaden my heart. 33. Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep it to the last. 34. Grant me understanding and I will keep Your Torah; I will observe it with all my heart. 35. Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for that is my desire. 36. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to greed. 37. Avert my eyes from seeing vanity; by Your ways give me life. 38. Fulfill for Your servant Your promise, which brings to the fear of You. 39. Remove my shame which I fear, for Your judgments are good. 40. Behold, I have longed for Your precepts; give me life in Your righteousness. 41. And let Your kindness come to fruition for me, O Lord, Your salvation as You promised. 42. I will offer a retort to those who taunt me, for I trust in Your word. 43. Do not at all remove the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope [to fulfill] Your judgments. 44. I will keep Your Torah continually, for ever and ever. 45. And I will walk in spacious paths, for I seek Your precepts. 46. I will speak of Your testimonies before kings, and I will not be ashamed. 47. And I will delight in Your commandments, which I love. 48. I will lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love, and I will speak of Your statutes. 49. Remember the word [promised] to Your servant, by which You gave me hope. 50. This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your word has given me life. 51. [Though] the wicked ridicule me severely, I have not strayed from Your Torah. 52. When I remember Your judgments of old, O Lord, I take comfort. 53. Trembling seized me because of the wicked, those who forsake Your Torah. 54. Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my wanderings. 55. At night I remembered Your Name, O Lord, and I kept Your Torah. 56. All this came to me because I kept Your precepts. 57. The Lord is my portion; I pledged to keep Your words. 58. I pleaded before You with all my heart: have compassion upon me according to Your word. 59. I contemplated my ways, and returned my feet to Your testimonies. 60. I hurried and did not delay to keep Your commandments. 61. Bands of wicked men plundered me, [but] I did not forget Your Torah. 62. At midnight, I rise to thank You for Your righteous judgments. 63. I am a friend to all who fear You, and to those who keep Your precepts. 64. Your kindness, O Lord, fills the earth; teach me Your statutes. 65. You have dealt goodness to Your servant, O Lord, in accord with Your promise. 66. Teach me the goodness and wisdom of the [Torah's] reasons, for I believe in Your commandments. 67. Before I afflicted myself, I would blunder; but now I observe Your word. 68. You are good and benevolent; teach me Your statutes. 69. The wicked have smeared me with lies, [when in truth] I keep Your precepts with all my heart. 70. Their hearts grew thick as fat; but as for me, Your Torah is my delight. 71. It is for my good that I was afflicted, so that I might learn Your statutes. 72. The Torah of Your mouth is better for me than thousands in gold and silver. 73. Your hands have made me and prepared me; grant me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. 74. Those who fear You will see me and rejoice, because I hoped in Your word. 75. I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are just; righteously have You afflicted me. 76. Let Your kindness be my comfort, as You promised to Your servant. 77. Let Your mercies come upon me, that I may live, for Your Torah is my delight. 78. Let the scoffers be shamed, for they have maligned me with falsehood; but I will meditate upon Your precepts. 79. May those who fear You return to me, and those who know Your testimonies. 80. May my heart be perfect in Your statutes, so that I not be shamed. 81. My soul longs for Your salvation; I hope for Your word. 82. My eyes long for Your promise, saying, "When will You comfort me?” 83. Though I became [dried out] like a wineskin in smoke, I did not forget Your statutes. 84. How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment upon my pursuers? 85. The wicked have dug pits for me, in violation of Your Torah. 86. All Your commandments teach truth, [yet] they pursue me with lies, help me! 87. They nearly consumed me upon the earth, but I did not forsake Your precepts. 88. As befits Your kindness, grant me life, and I will keep the testimony of Your mouth. 89. Forever, O Lord, Your word stands firm in the heavens. 90. Your faithfulness persists for all generations; You established the earth, and it stands. 91. They stand ready today [to execute] Your judgments, for all are Your servants. 92. Had Your Torah not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93. Never will I forget Your precepts, for through them You have sustained me. 94. I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts. 95. The wicked hope to destroy me, but I meditate upon Your testimonies. 96. To every goal I have seen a limit, but Your commandment is immensely broad. 97. O how I love Your Torah! All day it is my discussion. 98. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. 99. From all my teachers I have gained wisdom, for Your testimonies are my discussion. 100. I will be more perceptive than elders, because I have guarded Your precepts. 101. I have restrained my feet from every evil path, that I might keep Your word. 102. I have not turned away from Your judgments, for You have instructed me. 103. How sweet are Your words to my palate, [sweeter] than honey to my mouth! 104. From Your precepts I gain understanding, therefore I hate every path of falsehood. 105. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 106. I have sworn-and I will fulfill it-to keep Your righteous judgments. 107. I am afflicted to the extreme; grant me life, O Lord, according to Your promise. 108. Accept with favor, O Lord, the offerings of my lips, and teach me Your laws. 109. My soul is in danger always, yet I have not forgotten Your Torah. 110. The wicked laid a snare for me, yet I have not strayed from Your precepts. 111. I have taken Your testimonies as an eternal heritage, for they are the joy of my heart. 112. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes, forever, to the last. 113. I despise vain thoughts, but I love Your Torah. 114. You are my refuge and my shield; I place hope in Your promise. 115. Turn away from me, you evildoers, and I will keep the commandments of my G-d. 116. Support me according to Your promise, and I will live; let me not be shamed because of my hope. 117. Sustain me, and I will be saved, and I will be engrossed in Your statutes always. 118. You trample all who stray from Your statutes, for their ploy is a lie. 119. You have purged all the wicked of the earth like dross, therefore I love Your testimonies. 120. My flesh bristles from fear of You, and I am in awe of Your judgments. 121. I practiced justice and righteousness; leave me not to my oppressors. 122. Guarantee Your servant goodness; let not the wicked exploit me. 123. My eyes long for Your salvation, and for the word of Your righteousness. 124. Treat Your servant according to Your kindness, and teach me Your statutes. 125. I am Your servant; grant me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies. 126. It is time to act for the Lord; they have abrogated Your Torah. 127. Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, even fine gold. 128. Therefore I affirmed all Your precepts; I have hated every path of falsehood. 129. Your testimonies are wondrous, therefore does my soul guard them. 130. Your opening words illuminate, enlightening the simple. 131. I opened my mouth and swallowed, because I craved Your commandments. 132. Turn to me and favor me, as is [Your] law for those who love Your Name. 133. Set my steps in Your word, and let no iniquity rule over me. 134. Deliver me from the oppression of man, and I will keep Your precepts. 135. Let Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes. 136. My eyes shed streams of water, because they do not keep Your Torah. 137. Righteous are you, O Lord, and Your judgments are upright. 138. You commanded Your testimonies in righteousness and great faithfulness. 139. My zeal consumes me, because my enemies have forgotten Your words. 140. Your word is very pure, and Your servant cherishes it. 141. I am young and despised, yet I do not forget Your precepts. 142. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your Torah is truth. 143. Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me, yet Your commandments are my delight. 144. Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding, that I may live. 145. I call out with all my heart; answer me, O Lord; I will keep Your statutes. 146. I call out to You; save me, and I will observe Your testimonies. 147. I rose before dawn and cried out; my hope is in Your word. 148. My eyes preceded the night watches, that I may discuss Your word. 149. Hear my voice in keeping with Your kindness; O Lord, grant me life as is Your practice. 150. Those who pursue mischief draw near; they are far from Your Torah. 151. You are near, O Lord, and all Your commandments are truth. 152. From the beginning I discerned from Your testimonies that You had established them forever. 153. Behold my affliction and deliver me, for I have not forgotten Your Torah. 154. Wage my battle and redeem me; grant me life for the sake of Your word. 155. Salvation is far from the wicked, for they seek not Your statutes. 156. Your mercies are great, O Lord; grant me life as is Your practice. 157. My pursuers and my enemies are many, yet I did not turn away from Your testimonies. 158. I saw traitors and I quarreled with them, because they do not keep Your words. 159. Behold how I love Your precepts; grant me life, O Lord, according to Your kindness. 160. The beginning of Your word is truth, and forever are all Your righteous judgments. 161. Princes have pursued me without cause, but it is Your word my heart fears. 162. I rejoice at Your word, like one who finds abundant spoil. 163. I hate falsehood and abhor it, but Your Torah I love. 164. Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous judgments. 165. There is abundant peace for those who love Your Torah, and there is no stumbling for them. 166. I hoped for Your salvation, O Lord, and I performed Your commandments. 167. My soul has kept Your testimonies, and I love them intensely. 168. I have kept Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You 169. Let my prayer approach Your presence, O Lord; grant me understanding according to Your word. 170. Let my supplication come before You; save me according to Your promise. 171. My lips will utter praise, for You have taught me Your statutes. 172. My tongue will echo Your word, for all Your commandments are just. 173. Let Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts. 174. I long for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your Torah is my delight. 175. Let my soul live, and it will praise You, and let Your judgment help me. 176. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments.
Chapter
120
This psalm rebukes slanderers, describing how the deadly effect of slander reaches even further than weapons.
1. A song of ascents. I have called out to the Lord in my distress, and He answered me. 2. O Lord, rescue my soul from the lips of falsehood, from a deceitful tongue. 3. What can He give you, and what [further restraint] can He add to you, O deceitful tongue? 4. [You resemble] the sharp arrows of a mighty one, and the coals of broom-wood.1 5. Woe unto me that I sojourned among Meshech, that I dwelt beside the tents of Kedar. 6. Too long has my soul dwelt among those who hate peace. 7. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.
TIKKUN HAKLALI
Chapter 105
21. He made him the master of his household and the ruler over all his possessions.
22. To bind up his princes with his soul, and he made his elders wise.
23. Israel came to Egypt, and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
PSALM 89
41. You breached all his fences; You made his fortifications a ruin.
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