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.