Week 19 (Book 6): Reviewing the Second Week of Shevat - Psalms 55-57; 59:12-14; 89:20

 

PSALMS (Introductions and Translations from Chabad.org):

Chapter 55

David composed this psalm upon escaping from Jerusalem in the face of the slanderers, Doeg and Achitofel, who had declared him deserving of death. David had considered Achitofel a friend and accorded him the utmost honor, but Achitofel betrayed him and breached their covenant. David curses all his enemies, so that all generations should "know, and sin no more."

1. For the Conductor, with instrumental music, a maskil by David. 2. Listen to my prayer, O G-d, do not hide from my pleas. 3. Pay heed to me and answer me, as I lament in my distress and moan - 4. because of the shout of the enemy and the oppression of the wicked; for they accuse me of evil and hate me passionately. 5. My heart shudders within me, and the terrors of death have descended upon me. 6. Fear and trembling penetrate me, and I am enveloped with horror. 7. And I said, "If only I had wings like the dove! I would fly off and find rest. 8. Behold, I would wander afar, and lodge in the wilderness forever. 9. I would hurry to find shelter for myself from the stormy wind, from the tempest.” 10. Consume, O Lord, confuse their tongue; for I have seen violence and strife in the city.1 11. Day and night they encircle her upon her walls, and iniquity and vice are in her midst. 12. Treachery is within her; fraud and deceit never depart from her square. 13. For it is not the enemy who taunts me-that I could bear; nor my foe who raises himself against me, that I could hide from him. 14. But it is you, a man of my equal, my guide and my intimate. 15. Together we took sweet counsel; we walked with the throng to the house of G-d. 16. May He incite death upon them, let them descend to the pit alive; for there is evil in their dwelling, within them. 17. As for me, I call to G-d, and the Lord will save me. 18. Evening, morning and noon, I lament and moan-and He hears my voice. 19. He redeemed my soul in peace from battles against me, because of the many who were with me. 20. May G-d-He who is enthroned from the days of old, Selah-hear and humble those in whom there is no change, and who do not fear G-d. 21. He extended his hands against his allies, he profaned his covenant. 22. Smoother than butter are the words of his mouth, but war is in his heart; his words are softer than oil, yet they are curses. 23. Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous man falter. 24. And You, O G-d, will bring them down to the nethermost pit; bloodthirsty and treacherous men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in You.

Chapter 56

David composed this psalm while in mortal danger at the palace of Achish, brother of Goliath. In his distress David accepts vows upon himself.

1. For the Conductor, of the mute dove1 far away. By David, a michtam, 2 when the Philistines seized him in Gath. 2. Favor me, O G-d, for man longs to swallow me; the warrior oppresses me every day. 3. My watchful enemies long to swallow me every day, for many battle me, O Most High! 4. On the day I am afraid, I trust in You. 5. [I trust] in G-d and praise His word; in G-d I trust, I do not fear-what can [man of] flesh do to me? 6. Every day they make my words sorrowful; all their thoughts about me are for evil. 7. They gather and hide, they watch my steps, when they hope [to capture] my soul. 8. Should escape be theirs in reward for their iniquity? Cast down the nations in anger, O G-d! 9. You have counted my wanderings; place my tears in Your flask-are they not in Your record? 10. When my enemies will retreat on the day I cry out, with this I will know that G-d is with me. 11. When G-d deals strictly, I praise His word; when the Lord deals mercifully, I praise His word. 12. In G-d I trust, I do not fear-what can man do to me? 13. My vows to You are upon me, O G-d; I will repay with thanksgiving offerings to You. 14. For You saved my soul from death-even my feet from stumbling-to walk before G-d in the light of life.

Chapter 57

David composed this psalm while hiding from Saul in a cave, facing grave danger. Like Jacob did when confronted with Esau, David prayed that he neither be killed nor be forced to kill. In the merit of his trust in G-d, G-d wrought wonders to save him.

1. For the Conductor, a plea to be spared destruction. By David, a michtam, when he fled from Saul in the cave. 2. Favor me, O G-d, favor me, for in You my soul took refuge, and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge until the disaster passes. 3. I will call to G-d the Most High; to the Almighty Who fulfills [His promise] to me. 4. He will send from heaven, and save me from the humiliation of those who long to swallow me, Selah; G-d will send forth His kindness and truth. 5. My soul is in the midst of lions, I lie among fiery men; their teeth are spears and arrows, their tongue a sharp sword. 6. Be exalted above the heavens, O G-d; let Your glory be upon all the earth. 7. They laid a trap for my steps, they bent down my soul; they dug a pit before me, [but] they themselves fell into it, Selah. 8. My heart is steadfast, O G-d, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and chant praise. 9. Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I shall awaken the dawn. 10. I will thank You among the nations, my Lord; I will praise You among the peoples. 11. For Your kindness reaches till the heavens, Your truth till the skies. 12. Be exalted above the heavens, O G-d; let Your glory be over all the earth.

TIKKUN HAKLALI

Chapter 59

12. Do not kill them, lest my nation forget; drive them about with Your might and impoverish them, O our Shield, my Master, 13. [for] the sin of their mouth, the word of their lips; let them be trapped by their arrogance. At the sight of their accursed state and deterioration, [people] will recount. 14. Consume them in wrath, consume them and they will be no more; and they will know that G-d rules in Jacob, to the ends of the earth, Selah. 

PSALM 89

20. Then You spoke in a vision to Your pious ones and said: "I have granted aid to [David] the mighty one; I have exalted the one chosen from among the people.

Week 20 (Book 6): Reviewing the Third Week of Shevat - Psalms 58-60; 59:15-17; 89:21

PSALMS (Introductions and Translations from Chabad.org):

Chapter 58

David expresses the anguish caused him by Avner and his other enemies, who justified Saul's pursuit of him.

1. For the Conductor, a plea to be spared destruction; by David, a michtam. 2. Is it true that you are mute [instead of] speaking justice? [Instead of] judging men with fairness? 3. Even with your heart you wreak injustice upon the land; you justify the violence of your hands. 4. The wicked are estranged from the womb; from birth do the speakers of falsehood stray. 5. Their venom is like the venom of a snake; like the deaf viper that closes its ear 6. so as not to hear the voice of charmers, [even] the most skillful caster of spells. 7. O G-d, smash their teeth in their mouth; shatter the fangs of the young lions, O Lord. 8. Let them melt like water and disappear; when He aims His arrows, may they crumble. 9. Like the snail that melts as it goes along, like the stillbirth of a woman-they never see the sun. 10. Before your tender shoots know [to become] hardened thorns, He will blast them away, as one [uprooting] with vigor and wrath. 11. The righteous one will rejoice when he sees revenge; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked. 12. And man will say, "There is indeed reward for the righteous; indeed there is a G-d Who judges in the land."

Chapter 59

This psalm speaks of the great miracle David experienced when he eluded danger by escaping through a window, unnoticed by the guards at the door. The prayers, supplications, and entreaties he offered then are recorded here.

1. For the Conductor, a plea to be spared destruction, By David, a michtam, when Saul dispatched [men], and they guarded the house in order to kill him. 2. Rescue me from my enemies, my G-d; raise me above those who rise against me. 3. Rescue me from evildoers, save me from men of bloodshed. 4. For behold they lie in ambush for my soul, mighty ones gather against me-not because of my sin nor my transgression, O Lord. 5. Without iniquity [on my part,] they run and prepare-awaken towards me and see! 6. And You, Lord, G-d of Hosts, G-d of Israel, wake up to remember all the nations; do not grant favor to any of the iniquitous traitors, Selah. 7. They return toward evening, they howl like the dog and circle the city. 8. Behold, they spew with their mouths, swords are in their lips, for [they say], "Who hears?” 9. But You, Lord, You laugh at them; You mock all nations. 10. [Because of] his might, I wait for You, for G-d is my stronghold. 11. The G-d of my kindness will anticipate my [need]; G-d will show me [the downfall] of my watchful foes. 12. Do not kill them, lest my nation forget; drive them about with Your might and impoverish them, O our Shield, my Master, 13. [for] the sin of their mouth, the word of their lips; let them be trapped by their arrogance. At the sight of their accursed state and deterioration, [people] will recount. 14. Consume them in wrath, consume them and they will be no more; and they will know that G-d rules in Jacob, to the ends of the earth, Selah. 15. And they will return toward evening, they will howl like the dog and circle the city. 16. They will wander about to eat; when they will not be sated they will groan. 17. As for me, I shall sing of Your might, and sing joyously of Your kindness toward morning, for You have been a stronghold to me, a refuge on the day of my distress. 18. [You are] my strength, to You I will sing, for G-d is my stronghold, the G-d of my kindness.

Chapter 60

This psalm tells of when Joab, David's general, came to Aram Naharayim for war and was asked by the people: "Are you not from the children of Jacob? What of the pact he made with Laban?" Not knowing what to answer, Joab asked the Sanhedrin. The psalm includes David's prayer for success in this war.

1. For the Conductor, on the shushan eidut. A michtam by David, to instruct, 2. when he battled with Aram Naharayim and Aram Tzovah, and Joab returned and smote Edom in the Valley of Salt, twelve thousand [men]. 3. O G-d, You forsook us, You have breached us! You grew furious-restore us! 4. You made the earth quake, You split it apart-heal its fragments, for it totters! 5. You showed Your nation harshness, You gave us benumbing wine to drink. 6. [Now] give those who fear You a banner to raise themselves, for the sake of truth, Selah. 7. That Your beloved ones may be delivered, help with Your right hand and answer me. 8. G-d said with His Holy [Spirit] that I would exult; I would divide Shechem, and measure out the Valley of Succot. 9. Mine is Gilead, mine is Menasseh, and Ephraim is the stronghold of my head; Judah is my prince. 10. Moab is my washbasin, and upon Edom I will cast my shoe; for me, Philistia will sound a blast [of coronation]. 11. Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will lead me unto Edom? 12. Is it not You, G-d, Who has [until now] forsaken us, and did not go forth with our legions? 13. Grant us relief from the oppressor; futile is the salvation of man. 14. With G-d we will do valiantly, and He will trample our oppressors. 

TIKKUN HAKLALI

Chapter 59

15. And they will return toward evening, they will howl like the dog and circle the city. 16. They will wander about to eat; when they will not be sated they will groan. 17. As for me, I shall sing of Your might, and sing joyously of Your kindness toward morning, for You have been a stronghold to me, a refuge on the day of my distress.

PSALM 89

21. I have found David, My servant; I have anointed him with My holy oil. 

Week 21 (Book 6): G-d is our Strength - Psalms 61-63; 59:18, 77:1-3; 89:22

PSALMS (Introductions and Translations from Chabad.org):

Chapter 61

David composed this prayer while fleeing from Saul. The object of all his thoughts and his entreaty is that G-d grant him long life-not for the sake of pursuing the pleasures of the world, but rather to serve G-d in awe, all of his days.

1. For the Conductor, on the neginat, by David. 2. Hear my cry, O G-d, listen to my prayer. 3. From the end of the earth I call to You, when my heart is faint [with trouble]: Lead me upon the rock that surpasses me! 4. For You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength in the face of the enemy. 5. I will dwell in Your tent forever; I will take refuge in the shelter of Your wings, Selah. 6. For You, G-d, heard my vows; You granted the inheritance of those who fear Your Name. 7. Add days to the days of the king; may his years equal those of every generation. 8. May he sit always before G-d; appoint kindness and truth to preserve him. 9. Thus will I sing the praise of Your Name forever, as I fulfill my vows each day.

Chapter 62

David prays for the downfall of his enemies. He also exhorts his generation that their faith should not rest in riches, telling them that the accumulation of wealth is utter futility.

1. For the Conductor, on the yedutun,1 a psalm by David. 2. To G-d alone does my soul hope; my salvation is from Him. 3. He alone is my rock and salvation, my stronghold; I shall not falter greatly. 4. Until when will you plot disaster for man? May you all be killed-like a leaning wall, a toppled fence. 5. Out of their arrogance alone they scheme to topple me, they favor falsehood; with their mouths they bless, and in their hearts they curse, Selah. 6. To G-d alone does my soul hope, for my hope is from Him. 7. He alone is my rock and salvation, my stronghold; I shall not falter. 8. My salvation and honor is upon G-d; the rock of my strength-my refuge is in G-d. 9. Trust in Him at all times, O nation, pour out your hearts before Him; G-d is a refuge for us forever. 10. Men are but vanity; people [but] transients. Were they to be raised upon the scale, they would be lighter than vanity. 11. Put not your trust in exploitation, nor place futile hope in robbery. If [corrupt] wealth flourishes, pay it no heed. 12. G-d spoke one thing, from which I perceived two: That strength belongs to G-d; 13. and that Yours, my Lord, is kindness. For You repay each man according to his deeds.

Chapter 63

Hiding from Saul, and yearning to approach the place of the Holy Ark like one thirsting for water, David composed this prayer on his behalf and against his enemy.

1. A psalm by David, when he was in the Judean desert. 2. O G-d, You are my Almighty, I seek You! My soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You; [like one] in a desolate and dry land, without water, 3. so [I thirst] to see You in the Sanctuary, to behold Your might and glory. 4. For Your kindness is better than life; my lips shall praise You. 5. Thus will I bless you all my life, in Your Name I will raise my hands [in prayer]. 6. As with fat and abundance my soul is sated, when my mouth offers praise with expressions of joy. 7. Indeed, I remember You upon my bed; during the watches of the night I meditate upon You. 8. For You were a help for me; I sing in the shadow of Your wings. 9. My soul cleaved to You; Your right hand supported me. 10. But they seek desolation for my soul; they will enter the depths of the earth. 11. They will drag them by the sword; they will be the portion of foxes. 12. And the king will rejoice in G-d, and all who swear by Him will take pride, when the mouths of liars are blocked up. 

TIKKUN HAKLALI

Chapter 59

18. [You are] my strength, to You I will sing, for G-d is my stronghold, the G-d of my kindness.

Chapter 77

1. For the Conductor, on the yedutun, by Asaph, a psalm. 2. [I raise] my voice to G-d and cry out; [I raise] my voice to G-d and He will listen to me. 3. On the day of my distress, I sought the Lord; my wound oozes at night and does not abate; my soul refuses to be comforted.

PSALM 89

22. It is he whom My hand shall be prepared [to assist]; My arm, too, shall strengthen him. 

Week 22 (Book 6): Reviewing the First Week of Adar - Psalms 64-66; 77:4-6; 89:23

PSALMS (Introductions and Translations from Chabad.org):

Chapter 64

The masters of homiletics interpret this psalm as alluding to Daniel, who was thrown into the lion's den. With divine inspiration, David foresaw the event and prayed for him. Daniel was a descendant of David, as can be inferred from G-d's statement to Hezekiah (himself of Davidic lineage), "And from your children, who will issue forth from you, they will take, and they (referring to, amongst others, Daniel) will be minesters in the palace of the king of Babylon."

1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David. 2. Hear my voice, O G-d, as I recount [my woes]; preserve my life from the terror of the enemy. 3. Shelter me from the schemes of the wicked, from the conspiracy of evildoers, 4. who have sharpened their tongue like the sword, aimed their arrow-a bitter word- 5. to shoot at the innocent from hidden places; suddenly they shoot at him, they are not afraid. 6. They encourage themselves in an evil thing, they speak of laying traps; they say: "Who will see them?” 7. They sought pretexts; [and when] they completed a diligent search, each man [kept the plot] inside, deep in the heart. 8. But G-d shot at them; [like] a sudden arrow were their blows. 9. Their own tongues caused them to stumble; all who see them shake their heads [derisively]. 10. Then all men feared, and recounted the work of G-d; they perceived His deed. 11. Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in Him, and let them take pride-all upright of heart.

Chapter 65

This psalm contains awe-inspiring and glorious praises to G-d, as well as entreaties and prayers concerning our sins. It declares it impossible to recount G-d's greatness, for who can recount His mighty acts? Hence, silence is His praise.

1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David, a song. 2. Silence is praise for You, O G-d [Who dwells in] Zion; and to You vows will be paid. 3. O Heeder of prayer, to You does all flesh come. 4. Matters of sin overwhelm me; You will pardon our transgressions. 5. Fortunate is [the nation] whom You choose and draw near, to dwell in Your courtyards; may we be sated with the goodness of Your House, with the holiness of Your Sanctuary. 6. Answer us with awesome deeds as befits Your righteousness, O G-d of our salvation, the security of all [who inhabit] the ends of the earth and distant seas. 7. With His strength He prepares [rain for] the mountains; He is girded with might. 8. He quiets the roar of the seas, the roar of their waves and the tumult of nations. 9. Those who inhabit the ends [of the earth] fear [You] because of Your signs; the emergences of morning and evening cause [man] to sing praise. 10. You remember the earth and water it, you enrich it abundantly [from] G-d's stream filled with water. You prepare their grain, for so do You prepare it. 11. You saturate its furrows, gratifying its legions; with showers You soften it and bless its growth. 12. You crown the year of Your goodness [with rain], and Your clouds drip abundance. 13. They drip on pastures of wilderness, and the hills gird themselves with joy. 14. The meadows don sheep, and the valleys cloak themselves with grain; they sound blasts, indeed they sing.

Chapter 66

This psalm describes the praises and awe-inspiring prayers that we will offer G-d upon the ingathering of the exiles.

1. For the Conductor, a song, a psalm. Raise your voices in jubilation to G-d, all the earth! 2. Sing the glory of His Name; make glorious His praise. 3. Say to G-d, "How awesome are Your deeds!" Because of Your great strength, Your enemies will [admit] their treachery to You. 4. All the earth will bow to You, and sing to You; they will sing praise to Your Name forever! 5. Go and see the works of G-d, awesome in His deeds toward mankind. 6. He turned the sea into dry land, and they passed through the river on foot; we rejoiced in Him there. 7. He rules the world with His might, and His eyes watch the nations; let the rebellious not exalt themselves, Selah. 8. Bless our G-d, O nations, and let the voice of His praise be heard. 9. He has kept us alive, and did not allow our feet to falter. 10. For You tested us, O G-d; You refined us as one refining silver. 11. You brought us into prison; You placed a chain upon our loins. 12. You mounted men over our head; we went through fire and water, and You brought us out to abundance. 13. I will enter Your House with burnt-offerings, I will pay to You my vows, 14. which my lips uttered and my mouth spoke in my distress. 15. I will offer up to You burnt-offerings of fat animals, with the smoke of rams; I will prepare cattle with he-goats, Selah. 16. Come listen, all you who fear G-d, and I will relate what He has done for my soul. 17. I called to Him with my mouth, with exaltation beneath my tongue. 18. Had I seen iniquity in my heart, my Lord would not have listened. 19. But in truth, G-d heard; He gave ear to the voice of my prayer. 20. Blessed is G-d Who has not turned away my prayer or His kindness from me.

TIKKUN HAKLALI

Chapter 77

4. I remember G-d and I stir; I speak and my spirit becomes faint, forever.

5. You held fast the awakenings of my eyes; I throb and I do not speak.

6. I think of days of yore, ancient years.

PSALM 89

23. No enemy will exact from him, neither will an unjust person afflict him.   

Week 23 (Book 6): Reviewing the Second Week of Adar - Psalms 67-69; 77:7-9; 89:24

PSALMS (Introductions and Translations from Chabad.org):

Chapter 67

This psalm is known as an especially revered prayer. It, too, speaks of the era of the ingathering of the exiles, and the wars of Gog and Magog, a time when "the Lord will be One."

1. For the Conductor, a song with instrumental music, a psalm. 2. May G-d be gracious to us and bless us; may He make His countenance shine upon us forever, 3. that Your way be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. 4. The nations will extol You, O G-d; all the nations will extol You. 5. The nations will rejoice and sing for joy, for You will judge the peoples justly and guide the nations on earth forever. 6. The peoples will extol You, O G-d; all the peoples will extol You, 7. for the earth will have yielded its produce, and G-d, our G-d, will bless us. 8. G-d will bless us; and all, from the farthest corners of the earth, shall fear Him.

Chapter 68

An awe-inspiring and wondrous prayer, David composed this psalm referring to a future event, when Sennacherib would surround Jerusalem on Passover, during the reign of Hezekiah. He also prophesies about the good we will enjoy during the Messianic era.

1. For the Conductor; by David, a psalm, a song. 2. Let G-d rise, let His enemies be scattered, and let His enemies flee before Him. 3. As smoke is driven away, drive them away; as wax melts before fire, let the wicked perish before G-d. 4. And the righteous will rejoice, they will exult before G-d and delight with joy. 5. Sing to G-d, chant praises to His Name; extol Him Who rides upon the heavens with His Name, Yah, and exult before Him. 6. A father of orphans and judge of widows is G-d, in the abode of His holiness. 7. G-d settles the solitary into a home, and frees those bound in shackles; but the rebellious [are left to] dwell in an arid land. 8. O G-d, when You went out before Your nation, when You marched through the wilderness, Selah, 9. the earth trembled, even the heavens dripped before the presence of G-d; this mountain of Sinai [trembled] before the presence of G-d, the G-d of Israel. 10. You poured generous rain, O G-d; when Your heritage was weary, You secured it. 11. Your flock settled there; in Your goodness, O G-d, You prepare for the poor. 12. My Lord will fulfill the word of the heralds to a great legion: 13. Kings of armies will flee, they will flee; and she who inhabits the home will divide the loot. 14. Even if you lie upon the hearth,1 [you will be like] wings of a dove covered with silver, her pinions with brilliant gold. 15. When the Almighty scatters kings in her midst, those in the shadow of darkness will be made snow-white. 16. The mountain of G-d is a fertile mountain, the mountain of majestic peaks is a fertile mountain. 17. Why do you prance, O mountains of peaks? This is the mountain G-d has desired as His dwelling; the Lord will even dwell there forever. 18. The chariots of G-d are twice ten thousand, [with] thousands of angels; my Lord is in their midst, at Sinai, in holiness. 19. You ascended on high and took a captive,2 you seized gifts for man; and [now] even rebels dwell with Yah, G-d. 20. Blessed is my Lord, Who each day loads us [with beneficence], the G-d Who is our deliverance forever. 21. The Lord is a G-d of deliverances for us; and to G-d, my Lord, are the many avenues of death. 22. G-d alone crushes the heads of His enemies, the hairy skull of him who goes about in his guilt. 23. My Lord said, "I will bring back from Bashan,3 I will bring back from the depths of the sea, 24. that your foot may wade through [the enemy's] blood; that the tongue of your dogs may have its portion from your enemies.” 25. They saw Your ways, O G-d, the ways of my G-d, my King, in holiness. 26. The singers began, then the musicians, in the midst of the maidens playing timbrels. 27. In assemblies bless G-d; [bless] my Lord, O you who stem from Israel. 28. There Benjamin, the youngest, rules them; the princes of Judah stone them, [as do] the princes of Zebulun, and the princes of Naphtali. 29. Your G-d has decreed your strength. Show Your strength, O G-d, Who has wrought this for our sake. 30. Because of [the glory of] Your Sanctuary upon Jerusalem, kings will bring You tribute. 31. Rebuke the wild beast of the reeds, the assembly of mighty bulls among the calves of nations, [until] each submits himself with pieces of silver. Scatter the nations that desire wars. 32. Nobles will come from Egypt; Kush will hasten [to raise] its hands to G-d. 33. Kingdoms of the earth, sing to G-d; sing praise to my Lord forever! 34. To the One Who rides upon the loftiest of ancient heavens-behold He gives forth His voice, a voice of might. 35. Ascribe power to G-d; His majesty is over Israel, and His might is in the skies. 36. G-d, You are feared from Your Sanctuary; it is the G-d of Israel Who grants strength and power to His people; blessed is G-d

Chapter 69

1. For the Conductor, on the shoshanim, by David. 2. Deliver me, O G-d, for the waters have reached until my soul! 3. I have sunk in muddy depths without foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the current sweeps me away. 4. I am wearied by my crying, my throat is parched; my eyes pined while waiting for my G-d. 5. More numerous than the hairs on my head are those who hate me without reason. Mighty are those who would cut me off, those who are my enemies without cause. What I have not stolen, I will then have to return. 6. O G-d, You know my folly, and my wrongs are not hidden from You. 7. Let not those who hope in You be shamed through me, O my Lord, G-d of Hosts; let not those who seek You be disgraced through me, O G-d of Israel, 8. because for Your sake I have borne humiliation, disgrace covers my face. 9. I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother's sons, 10. for the envy of Your House has consumed me, and the humiliations of those who scorn You have fallen upon me. 11. And I wept while my soul fasted, and it was a humiliation to me. 12. I made sackcloth my garment, and became a byword for them. 13. Those who sit by the gate speak of me, and [of me] are the songs of drunkards. 14. May my prayer to You, Lord, be at a gracious time; G-d, in Your abounding kindness, answer me with Your true deliverance. 15. Rescue me from the mire, so that I not sink; let me be saved from my enemies and from deep waters. 16. Let not the current of water sweep me away, nor the deep swallow me; and let not the pit close its mouth over me. 17. Answer me, Lord, for Your kindness is good; according to Your abundant mercies, turn to me. 18. Do not hide Your face from Your servant, for I am in distress-hurry to answer me. 19. Draw near to my soul and liberate it; redeem me, so that my enemies [not feel triumphant]. 20. You know my humiliation, my shame, and my disgrace; all my tormentors are before You. 21. Humiliation has broken my heart, and I have become ill. I longed for comfort, but there was none; for consolers, but I did not find. 22. They put gall into my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. 23. Let their table become a trap before them, and [their] serenity, a snare. 24. Let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and let their loins continually falter. 25. Pour Your wrath upon them, and let the fierceness of Your anger overtake them. 26. Let their palace be desolate, let there be no dweller in their tents, 27. for they persecute the one whom You struck, and tell of the pain of Your wounded ones. 28. Add iniquity to their iniquity, and let them not enter into Your righteousness. 29. May they be erased from the Book of Life, and let them not be inscribed with the righteous. 30. But I am poor and in pain; let Your deliverance, O G-d, streng-then me. 31. I will praise the Name of G-d with song, I will extol Him with thanksgiving! 32. And it will please the Lord more than [the sacrifice of] a mature bull with horns and hooves. 33. The humble will see it and rejoice; you seekers of G-d, [see] and your hearts will come alive. 34. For the Lord listens to the needy, and He does not despise His prisoners. 35. Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and all that moves within them, 36. for G-d will deliver Zion and build the cities of Judah, and they will settle there and possess it; 37. and the seed of His servants will inherit it, and those who love His Name will dwell in it. 

TIKKUN HAKLALI

Chapter 77

7. During the night I recall my music, I meditate with my heart, and my spirit searches: 8. Is it for eternity that my Lord forsakes [me], nevermore to be appeased? 9. Has His kindness ceased forever? Has He sealed the decree for all generations?

PSALM 89

24. And I will crush his adversaries before him, and will strike down those who hate him.  


Comments:

This week's verse in Psalm 89 is reminiscent of the first lines of Tetzaveh, which speak about crushed  (Catit) oil. There also appears to be a reference here to striking down Amalek.


Tikkun HaKlali seems related to the loss of Moshe.

Week 24 (Book 6): Reviewing the Third Week of Adar - Psalms 70-72; 77:10-12; 89:25

PSALMS (Introductions and Translations from Chabad.org):

Chapter 70

David prays that his enemies be shamed and humiliated for their shaming him and reveling in his troubles. Then the righteous will rejoice, and chant songs and praises always.

1. For the Conductor, by David, to remind. 2. O G-d, [come] to rescue me; O Lord, hurry to my aid. 3. Let those who seek my life be shamed and disgraced; let those who wish me harm retreat and be humiliated. 4. Let those who say, "Aha! Aha!" be turned back in return for their shaming [me]. 5. Let all who seek You rejoice and delight in You, and let those who love Your deliverance say always, "May G-d be exalted!” 6. But I am poor and needy; hurry to me, O G-d! You are my help and deliverer; O G-d, do not delay!

Chapter 71

In this awe-inspiring prayer, David speaks of his enemies' desire to kill him, declaring him deserving of death.

1. I have taken refuge in You, O Lord; I will never be shamed. 2. Rescue me and deliver me in Your righteousness; incline Your ear to me and save me. 3. Be for me a sheltering rock, to enter always. You have ordered my salvation, for You are my rock and my fortress. 4. O my G-d, rescue me from the hand of the wicked, from the palm of the scheming and violent. 5. For You are my hope, O my Lord, G-d, my security since my youth. 6. I have relied on You from the womb; You drew me from my mother's innards; my praise is of You always. 7. I became an example to the masses, yet You were my mighty refuge. 8. Let my mouth be filled with Your praise, all day long with Your glory. 9. Do not cast me aside in old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails; 10. for my enemies say of me, and those who watch my soul conspire together, 11. saying, "G-d has forsaken him. Give chase and catch him, for there is no rescuer.” 12. O G-d, do not distance Yourself from me; my G-d, hurry to my aid. 13. Let the adversaries of my soul be shamed and consumed; let those who seek my harm be enwrapped in disgrace and humiliation. 14. But as for me, I will always hope; I will add to all Your praises. 15. My mouth will tell of Your righteousness, all day long of Your deliverance, for I do not know their number. 16. I come with the strength of my Lord, G-d; I mention Your righteousness, Yours alone. 17. O G-d, You have taught me since my youth, and to this day I tell of Your wonders. 18. Even into old age and hoariness, O G-d, do not abandon me, until I tell of Your might to the generations, and of Your strength to all who are to come. 19. Your righteousness, O G-d, reaches the high heavens, for You do great things; O G-d, who is like You! 20. You, Who has shown me many and grievous troubles, You will revive me again; You will lift me again from the depths of the earth. 21. You will increase my greatness; You will turn and console me. 22. I too1 will thank You on the lyre for Your faithfulness, My G-d; I will sing to You on the harp, O Holy One of Israel. 23. My lips will rejoice when I sing to you, as well as my soul which You have redeemed. 24. My tongue will also utter Your righteousness all day, for those who seek my harm are shamed and disgraced.

Chapter 72

David composed this psalm for Solomon, praying that he be granted the wisdom to provide justice for the poor.

1. For Solomon. O G-d, impart Your justice to the king, and Your righteousness to the son of the king. 2. May he judge Your people with righteousness, Your poor with justice. 3. May the mountains bear peace to the nation, also the hills, in [reward for their] righteousness. 4. May he judge the nation's poor, save the children of the destitute, and crush the oppressor, 5. so that they will fear You as long as the sun [shines] and the moon endures, generation after generation. 6. May [his words] descend like rain upon cut grass, like raindrops that water the earth. 7. In his days may the righteous flourish, with much peace until the moon is no more. 8. And may he rule from sea to sea, and from the river until the ends of the earth. 9. May nobles kneel before him, and may his enemies lick the dust. 10. The kings of Tarshish and the islands will return tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts. 11. All kings will bow to him, all nations will serve him; 12. for he rescues the needy one who cries out, the poor one who has no one to help him. 13. He pities the impoverished and needy, and saves the souls of the destitute. 14. He redeems their soul from deception and violence, and their blood is precious in his eyes. 15. He revives [the poor], and gives him of the gold of Sheba; and so [the poor] pray for him always, and bless him all day. 16. May there be abundant grain in the land, upon the mountaintops; may its fruit rustle like the [cedars of] Lebanon, and may [people] blossom from the city like the grass of the earth. 17. May his name endure forever; may his name be magnified as long as the sun [shines]. And all nations will bless themselves by him, they will praise him. 18. Blessed is the Lord G-d, the G-d of Israel, Who alone performs wonders. 19. Blessed is His glorious Name forever, and may the whole earth be filled with His glory, Amen and Amen. 20. The prayers of David, son of Jesse, are concluded.

TIKKUN HAKLALI

Chapter 77

10. Has G-d forgotten mercy? Has He in anger restrained His compassion forever? 11. I said, "It is to terrify me that the right hand of the Most High changes.” 12. I remember the deeds of Yah, when I remember Your wonders of long ago.

PSALM 89

25. Indeed, My faithfulness and My kindness shall be with him, and through My Name his glory shall be exalted. 

Week 25 (Book 6): Reviewing the Fourth Week of Adar - Psalms 73-75; 77:13-15; 89:26

PSALMS (Introductions and Translations from Chabad.org):

Chapter 73

This psalm addresses the question of why the righteous suffer while the wicked prosper, and prays for an end to our long exile. Read, and you will find repose for your soul.

1. A psalm by Asaph. Truly G-d is good to Israel, to the pure of heart. 2. But as for me, my feet nearly strayed; in an instant my steps would have been swept aside. 3. For I envied the revelers when I saw the tranquility of the wicked. 4. For there are no bonds1 to their death, and their health is sound. 5. They have no part in the toil of men, nor are they afflicted like other mortals; 6. therefore they wear pride as a necklace; their bodies are enwrapped in violence. 7. Their eyes bulge from fat; they surpassed the fantasies of their heart. 8. They consume [others], and talk wickedly of oppression-from on high do they speak. 9. They set their mouths against Heaven, while their tongues walk upon the earth. 10. Therefore His people return here,2 and suck the full [cup of bitter] waters. 11. And they say, "How can it be that G-d knows? Is there knowledge in the Most High?” 12. Behold these are the wicked, and they are ever tranquil, they have gained much wealth. 13. Surely in vain have I purified my heart, and washed my hands in cleanliness; 14. for I was afflicted all day, and my rebuke came each morning. 15. Were I to say, "I shall tell it like it is," behold I would turn the generation of Your children to rebels. 16. And when I pondered to understand this, it was unjust in my eyes; 17. until I came to the sanctuaries of G-d, and perceived their end. 18. Only on slippery places do You set them, You cast them into darkness. 19. How they have become desolate in an instant! They came to an end, they were consumed by terrors, 20. like a dream upon awakening. O my Lord, disgrace their image in the city. 21. When my heart was in ferment, and my mind was sharpened, 22. I was a boor and did not understand, like an animal was I with You. 23. Yet I was always with You; You held my right hand. 24. Guide me with Your counsel, and afterward, receive me with honor. 25. Whom do I have in heaven [besides You]? And when I am with You I desire nothing on earth. 26. My flesh and my heart yearn; G-d is the rock of my heart and my portion forever. 27. For behold, all those who are far from You perish, You cut down all who stray from You. 28. But as for me, the nearness of G-d is my good; I have put my trust in my Lord, G-d, that I may recount all Your works.

Chapter 74

The psalmist mourns and weeps over all the synagogues and study halls that have been burned: the Philistines destroyed the Tabernacle of Shiloh; Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the first Temple. We have been in exile for so long, without seeing any signs of redemption! When will the redemption come? Read, and you will find lamentation and consolation.

1. A maskil1 by Asaph. Why, O G-d, have You abandoned us forever, does Your wrath fume against the sheep of Your pasture? 2. Remember Your congregation which You acquired long ago, the tribe of Your inheritance whom You redeemed [and brought to] Mount Zion, where You rested Your Presence. 3. Lift Your steps to inflict eternal ruin, because of all the evil done by the enemy in the Sanctuary. 4. Your foes roared in the midst of Your meeting place; they considered their omens to be [genuine] signs. 5. The axes in the thicket of trees2 were reckoned as bringing [an offering] to the Above. 6. And now, all her ornaments together are smashed by hammer and hatchet. 7. They set Your Sanctuary on fire; they desecrated the Abode of Your Name to the ground. 8. Their rulers thought together in their hearts; they burned all the meeting places of G-d in the land. 9. We have not seen our signs; there is no longer a prophet, and there is none among us who knows how long. 10. How long, O G-d, will the adversary disgrace, will the enemy blaspheme Your Name forever! 11. Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand? Cast it out from within Your bosom! 12. For G-d is my King from long ago, working salvations in the midst of the earth. 13. In Your might, You divided the sea; You shattered the heads of the sea-monsters on the waters. 14. You crushed the heads of the Leviathan,3 leaving him as food for the nation [wandering in] the wilderness. 15. You split [the rock, bringing forth] fountain and brook; You dried up mighty streams. 16. Yours is the day, the night is also Yours; You established the moon and the sun. 17. You set all the boundaries of the earth; summer and winter-You created them. 18. Remember this, how the enemy reviled the Lord, and the vile nation blasphemed Your Name. 19. Do not give the soul of Your turtledove to the wild beast; do not forget the life of Your poor forever. 20. Look to the covenant, for the dark places of the earth are filled with dens of violence. 21. Do not turn back the oppressed in disgrace; [then] the poor and needy will praise Your Name. 22. Arise, O G-d, champion Your cause; remember Your insults from the perverse all day long. 23. Forget not the voice of Your adversaries; the tumult of Your opponents ascends always.

Chapter 75

How great is Israel! During their holidays they do not engage in frivolity, but in song and praise, and the study of the holiday's laws. Also, when they proclaimed (at the giving of the Torah), "We will do and we will hear!" they allowed the world to remain in existence. This psalm also admonishes those who indulge in worldly pleasures and attribute their prosperity to their own efforts.

1. For the Conductor, a plea not to be destroyed. A psalm by Asaph, a song. 2. We gave thanks to You, O G-d, we gave thanks; and Your Name was near [when] they1 told of Your wonders. 3. When I choose the appointed time, I will judge with fairness. 4. When the earth and all its inhabitants were melting, I established its pillars forever. 5. I said to the perverse, "Do not pervert [Israel]," and to the wicked, "Do not raise your pride.” 6. Do not raise your pride heavenward, nor speak with an arrogant neck 7. For not from the east or the west, nor from the desert does greatness come. 8. For G-d is Judge; He humbles one, and elevates the other. 9. For there is a cup [of punishment] in the hand of the Lord, with strong wine of full mixture; He pours from this, and all the wicked of the earth will drink, draining even its dregs. 10. But as for me, I will tell of it forever; I will sing to the G-d of Jacob. 11. I will cut off all glory of the wicked, but the glory of the righteous will be raised up.

TIKKUN HAKLALI

Chapter 77

13. I meditate on all Your works, and speak of Your deeds. 14. O G-d, Your way is in sanctity; what god is as great as G-d? 15. You are the G-d Who works wonders; You make Your might known among the nations. 

PSALM 89

26. I will set his hand upon the sea, his right hand upon the rivers. 

Week 26 (Book 6): Reviewing the Week of Rosh Chodesh Nissan - Psalms 76-78; 77:16-18; 89:27

PSALMS (Introductions and Translations from Chabad.org):

Chapter 76

This psalm contains the prophecy of when the vast army of Sennacherib was seized with a deep slumber that rendered the hands of the soldiers powerless to raise their weapons; thus did they all fall in battle.

1. For the Conductor, with instrumental music, a psalm by Asaph, a song. 2. G-d is known in Judah, His Name is great in Israel. 3. His Tabernacle was in Shalem,1 and His dwelling place in Zion. 4. There He broke the flying arrows of the bow, the shield, the sword and battle-forever. 5. You are illumination, mightier than the mountains of prey. 6. The stout-hearted were without sense, they slept their sleep, and all the warriors were unable to find their strength. 7. At Your rebuke, O G-d of Jacob, chariot and horse were stunned. 8. You, awesome are You! Who can stand before You once You are enraged. 9. From heaven You let the verdict be heard; the earth feared and was still, 10. when G-d rose to pass judgment, to save all the humble of the earth forever. 11. The anger of man will cause us to thank You;2 You will restrain the residue of wrath. 12. Make vows to the Lord your G-d and fulfill them; all who surround Him will bring tribute to the Awesome One. 13. He cuts down the spirit of nobles; He is awesome to the kings of the earth.

Chapter 77

1. For the Conductor, on the yedutun,1 by Asaph, a psalm. 2. [I raise] my voice to G-d and cry out; [I raise] my voice to G-d and He will listen to me. 3. On the day of my distress I sought my Lord. My wound oozes at night and does not abate; my soul refuses to be consoled. 4. I remember G-d and I moan; I speak and my spirit faints, Selah. 5. You grasped my eyelids; I am broken, I cannot speak. 6. I think of olden days, of ancient years. 7. During the night I recall my music, I meditate with my heart, and my spirit searches: 8. Is it for eternity that my Lord forsakes [me], nevermore to be appeased? 9. Has His kindness ceased forever? Has He sealed the decree for all generations? 10. Has G-d forgotten mercy? Has He in anger restrained His compassion forever? 11. I said, "It is to ter- rify me that the right hand of the Most High changes.” 12. I remember the deeds of Yah, when I remember Your wonders of long ago. 13. I meditate on all Your works, and speak of Your deeds. 14. O G-d, Your way is in sanctity; what G-d is as great as G-d? 15. You are the G-d Who works wonders; You make Your might known among the nations. 16. You redeemed Your people with a mighty arm, the children of Jacob and Joseph, Selah. 17. The waters2 saw You, O G-d, the waters saw You and trembled; even the deep shuddered. 18. The clouds streamed water, the heavens sounded forth, even Your arrows flew about. 19. The sound of Your thunder was in the rolling wind; lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. 20. Your way was through the sea, Your path through the mighty waters; and Your footsteps were not known.3 21. You led Your people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron

Chapter 78

This psalm recounts all the miracles that G-d wrought for Israel, from the exodus of Egypt to David's becoming king over Israel.

1. A maskil1 by Asaph. Listen, my people, to my teaching; incline your ear to the words of my mouth. 2. I will open my mouth with a parable, I will utter riddles of long ago; 3. that which we have heard and know [to be true], and that our fathers have told us. 4. We will not withhold from their children, telling the final generation the praises of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders He has performed. 5. He established a testimony in Jacob, and set down the Torah in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to make known to their children, 6. so that the last generation shall know; children yet to be born will rise and tell their children, 7. and they shall put their hope in G-d, and not forget the works of the Almighty; and they shall guard His commandments. 8. And they shall not be like their fathers, a wayward and rebellious generation, a generation that did not set its heart straight, and whose spirit was not faithful to G-d. 9. The children of Ephraim, armed archers, retreated on the day of battle.2 10. They did not keep the covenant of G-d, and refused to follow His Torah. 11. They forgot His deeds and His wonders that He had shown them. 12. He performed wonders before their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.3 13. He split the sea and brought them across; He erected the waters like a wall. 14. He led them with a cloud by day, and all night long with the light of fire. 15. He split rocks in the wilderness, and gave them to drink as if from the abundant depths. 16. And He brought forth flowing waters from the rock, and caused waters to descend like rivers. 17. Yet they again continued to sin against Him, to provoke the Most High in the parched land. 18. And they tested G-d in their hearts, by requesting food for their craving. 19. They spoke against G-d; they said, "Can G-d set a table in the wilderness? 20. True, He hit the rock and waters flowed, streams gushed forth; but can He also give bread? Will He prepare meat for His people?” 21. And so the Lord heard and was enraged; a fire was kindled against Jacob; wrath, too, flared against Israel. 22. For they did not believe in G-d and did not trust in His salvation, 23. [though] He had commanded the skies above, and opened the doors of heaven. 24. He had rained upon them manna to eat, and given them grain of heaven. 25. Man ate the bread of angels; He sent them [enough] provisions to satiate. 26. He drove the east wind through the heaven, and led the south wind with His might. 27. He rained meat upon them like dust, winged birds like the sand of seas; 28. and He dropped them inside His camp, around His dwellings. 29. And they ate and were very satiated, for He brought them their desire. 30. They were not yet estranged from their craving, their food was still in their mouths, 31. when the wrath of G-d rose against them and slew their mighty ones, and brought down the chosen of Israel. 32. Despite this, they sinned again, and did not believe in His wonders; 33. so He ended their days in futility, and their years in terror. 34. When He slew them they would seek Him, they would return and pray to G-d. 35. They remembered that G-d is their rock, G-d the Most High, their redeemer. 36. But they beguiled Him with their mouth, and deceived Him with their tongue. 37. Their heart was not steadfast with Him; they were not faithful to His covenant. 38. Yet He is compassionate, pardons iniquity, and does not destroy; time and again He turns away His anger, and does not arouse all His wrath. 39. He remembered that they were but flesh, a spirit that leaves and does not return. 40. How often they provoked Him in the desert, and grieved Him in the wasteland! 41. Again and again they tested G-d, and sought a sign from the Holy One of Israel. 42. They did not remember His hand, the day He redeemed them from the oppressor; 43. that He set His signs in Egypt, and His wonders in the field of Zoan. 44. He turned their rivers to blood, and made their flowing waters undrinkable. 45. He sent against them a mixture of beasts which devoured them, and frogs that destroyed them. 46. He gave their produce to the grasshopper, and their toil to the locust. 47. He killed their vines with hail, and their sycamores with biting frost. 48. He delivered their animals to the hail, and their livestock to fiery bolts. 49. He sent against them His fierce anger, fury, rage, and affliction; a delegation of messengers of evil. 50. He leveled a path for His anger, and did not spare their soul from death; He delivered their animals to pestilence. 51. He struck every firstborn in Egypt, the first fruit of their strength in the tents of Ham.4 52. He drove His nation like sheep, and guided them like a flock in the desert. 53. He led them in security and they did not fear, for the sea covered their enemies. 54. And He brought them to the boundary of His holy place, this mountain which His right hand acquired. 55. He drove out nations before them, and allotted them an inheritance [measured] by the cord; He settled the tribes of Israel in their tents. 56. Yet they tested and defied G-d, the Most High, and did not keep His testimonies. 57. They regressed and rebelled like their fathers; they turned around like a deceptive bow. 58. They angered Him with their high altars, and provoked Him with their idols. 59. G-d heard and was enraged, and He was utterly disgusted with Israel; 60. And He abandoned the Tabernacle of Shilo, the Tent where He had dwelled among men. 61. He put His might into captivity, and His glory into the hand of the oppressor. 62. He delivered His nation to the sword, and was enraged with His inheritance. 63. Fire consumed His young men, and His maidens had no marriage song. 64. His priests fell by the sword, and their widows did not weep.5 65. And the Lord awoke like one who had been asleep, like a warrior shouting [to sober himself] from wine. 66. He beat His enemies into retreat, and dealt them eternal disgrace. 67. He was disgusted with the tent of Joseph, and did not choose the tribe of Ephraim. 68. He chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion which He loves. 69. And He built His Sanctuary [permanent as] the heavens; like the earth, He established it forever. 70. And He chose David His servant, and took him from the sheep corrals. 71. From following the nursing ewes, He brought Him to shepherd His nation Jacob, Israel His inheritance. 72. And he tended them with the integrity of his heart, and led them with the skill of his hands.

TIKKUN HAKLALI

Chapter 77

16. You redeemed Your people with Your arm, the sons of Jacob and Joseph forever. 17. The waters perceived You, O G-d, the waters perceived You, they trembled, even the deeps quaked. 18. They poured forth thick waters; the skies let out a voice, even your arrows went abroad.

PSALM 89

27. He will call to Me, 'You are my Father, my G-d, and the Rock of my salvation.'