Poetry and Prayer

A verse expressing longing for Jerusalem and a psalm describing the return to Zion together capture the emotional and spiritual range of Psalms. Supplemental Materials : ​Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 126 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 126 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 126 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms...

The final psalm speaks more of instruments than of verbal song. There is a striking symbolism to be found therein. Supplemental Materials : ​Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 150 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 150 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 150 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by I...

Why do the songs of the Psalms draw to a close by speaking of a "new song?" Supplemental Materials : ​ Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 149 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 149 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 149 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

Psalm 148 describes all existence praising God—and the manner in which it does so is very interesting. Supplemental Materials : ​ Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 148 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 148 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 148 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suz...

An exquisite verse about the stars reveals the story of Abraham. Supplemental Materials : ​ Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 147 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 147 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 147 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

Many themes come together in one psalm as we come close to concluding this biblical book. Supplemental Materials : ​ Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 146 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 146 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 146 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

Psalm 145 is very well known to traditional Jews. Why? Supplemental Materials : ​ Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 145 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 145 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 145 in Hebrew and English. Click here to listen to "Psalms in a Gulag and on a Gameshow." Click here to listen to "Clear as a Jew in Ashrei ." — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily...

David gives gratitude to God for his victory in battle and for the prosperity of his kingdom. Supplemental Materials : ​ Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 144 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 144 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 144 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufm...

A word central to biblical ethics is at the heart of this psalm. Supplemental Materials : ​ Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 143 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 143 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 143 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

Psalm 142 inspires us to contrast two very different texts about caves. Supplemental Materials : ​ Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 142 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 142 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 142 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

A comparison between prayer and a rite in the Temple illuminates both. Supplemental Materials : ​ Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 141 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 141 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 141 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

A verb in Psalm 140 has a parallel and a very different context in the sh'ma . Supplemental Materials : ​ Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 140 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 140 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 140 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

In Psalm 139, David ponders the omniscience and omnipresence of the Almighty. Supplemental Materials : ​ Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 139 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 139 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 139 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

David speaks of praising God with a "whole heart." What does that mean? Supplemental Materials : ​ Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 138 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 138 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 138 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.  

Psalm 136 may play a special role in the Passover Seder. Supplemental Materials : ​ Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 136 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 136 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 136 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

Psalm 135 references the different groups of people who will come to the Temple, joined in praise of God. Supplemental Materials : ​ Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 135 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 135 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 135 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and...

A Hebrew phrase has opened the last 15 psalms.  What does it mean? Supplemental Materials : ​Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 134 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 134 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 134 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

How is the famous verse that opens Psalm 133 linked with the other verses contained in it? Supplemental Materials : ​ Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 133 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 133 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 133 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

Psalm 132 describes David's search for the site of the future Temple. Supplemental Materials : ​ Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 132 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 132 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 132 in Hebrew and English. Click here to read "Look On Our Works, Ye Mighty" by Rabbi Soloveichik.

Psalm 131's themes of humility and trust reflect the essence of David's spiritual life. Supplemental Materials : ​Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 131 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 131 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 131 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

A famous phrase opens Psalm 130. What does it mean? Supplemental Materials : ​Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 130 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 130 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 130 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

An allusion to part of the plot from the Book of Ruth may be found in our psalm. Supplemental Materials : ​Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 129 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 129 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 129 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

A wedding tradition allows us to more deeply understand Psalm 128. Supplemental Materials : ​Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 128 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 128 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 128 in Hebrew and English. Click here to watch "Why Do Jews Do That?" Rabbi Soloveichik's video series on the art of Moritz Daniel Oppenheim. — "Poetry & Praye...

Psalm 127 joins the themes of the Temple and spiritual posterity. Supplemental Materials : ​Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 127 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 127 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 127 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

The topography of the land around Jerusalem is transformed into a sublime symbol in this psalm. Supplemental Materials : ​Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 125 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 125 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 125 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kauf...