Poetry and Prayer

The joining of Rosh Hashanah and the new moon is meant to deepen our understanding of time. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 81 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 81 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 81 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

By evoking the intimacy of spousal love, Psalm 80 conveys the Israelites' profound emotional yearning for the God of Jerusalem. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 80 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 80 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 80 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously spons...

On Passover, Psalm 79 is referenced, along with many other psalms, revealing the profound nature of the evening. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 79 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 79 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 79 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan an...

In Psalm 78, David's background as a shepherd becomes the key to understanding his kingship. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 78 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 78 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 78 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

Psalm 78 describes the many miracles of the Exodus, including one sublime moment during the splitting of the sea. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 78 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 78 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 78 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan a...

Psalm 78 describes one moment that changed Jewish history, which is meant to teach us about gratitude today. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 78 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 78 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 78 in Hebrew and English. Click here to listen to the "Parashah and Politics" podcast episode on Parashat Beha'alotcha ....

Psalm 78 describes the story of the Israelites from the Exodus to the Davidic monarchy. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 78 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 78 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 78 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This ep...

A psalm expresses anguish over exile and then exultantly describes the Exodus. What is the link between the psalm's two parts? Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 77 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 77 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 77 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponso...

Purim's date reveals what we are truly celebrating—and why a remarkable event seemingly described in this psalm never became a holiday. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 76 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 76 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 76 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generous...

The themes of exile and salvation are bound together in a tradition regarding the reading of the Megillah—and in these two psalms of Asaf. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 74 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 74 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 74 in Hebrew and English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 75 in English. Cli...

A story about Rome and Jerusalem helps us ponder this psalm of Asaf. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 73 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 73 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 73 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

In Psalm 72, we find a father preparing for his son to be his heir. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 72 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 72 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 72 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

Psalm 71 seems to feature an aging David, reflecting on God's salvation throughout his life. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 71 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 71 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 71 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

Translations of Psalm 70 give us an interesting rendering of an exclamation. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 70 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 70 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 70 in Hebrew and English. Click here to read "May You Be Inscribed for a Good Laugh" by Rabbi Soloveichik. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through t...

The conclusion of Psalm 69 reminds us of a relatively unknown and inspiring blessing that has been pronounced in our time. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 69 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 69 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 69 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored...

Psalms 68 and 69 come together to reveal two themes in Jewish history. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 69 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 69 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 69 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

The conclusion of Psalm 68 has one fascinating plural word that may point to the unique nature of Jerusalem. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 68 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 68 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 68 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Su...

An obvious reference to Moses' description of the Ark begins the psalm. How are we to understand what follows? Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 68 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 68 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 68 in Hebrew and English. Click here to listen to "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Dagan" from "Bible 365." — "Poetry...

Psalm 67 builds on the priestly blessings in a striking way. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 67 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 67 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 67 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

Psalm 66 can be read as reflecting on the wonder of being part of the Jewish story. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 66 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 66 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 66 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

In this psalm, David tells us how we can hear nature praising God, inspiring us to praise the Almighty. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 65 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 65 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 65 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana...

Psalm 64 highlights the potential of words to do great good and great harm. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 64 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 64 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 64 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

Winston Churchill's essay on Moses helps us appreciate a psalm that David composed in the desert. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 63 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 63 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 63 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufma...

In this psalm, David reflects on the role of both silence and song in our lives. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 62 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 62 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 62 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.

David's psalm has a famous verse that might be about the preciousness of time. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 61 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 61 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 61 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.