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.'   

Week 27 (Book 6): Reviewing the Second week of Nissan - Psalms 79-81; 77:19-21; 89:28

PSALMS (Introductions and Translations from Chabad.org):

Chapter 79

In this psalm, Asaph thanks G-d for sparing the people and directing His wrath upon the wood and stones (of the Temple). Still he cries bitterly, mourning the immense destruction: The place where the High Priest alone was allowed to enter-and only on Yom Kippur-is now so desolate that foxes stroll through it!

1. A psalm by Asaph. O G-d, nations have entered Your inheritance, they defiled Your Holy Sanctuary; they turned Jerusalem into heaps of rubble. 2. They have rendered the corpses of Your servants as food for the birds of heaven, the flesh of Your pious ones for the beasts of the earth. 3. They spilled their blood like water around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury [them]. 4. We became the object of disgrace to our neighbors, ridicule and scorn to those around us. 5. Until when, O Lord! Will You be angry forever? Will Your jealousy burn like fire? 6. Pour Your wrath upon the nations that do not know You, upon the kingdoms that do not call Your Name, 7. for they devoured Jacob and desolated His abode. 8. Do not recall our former sins; let Your mercies come swiftly towards us, for we have fallen very low. 9. Help us, G-d of our deliverance, for the sake of the glory of Your Name; save us and pardon our sins for the sake of Your Name. 10. Why should the nations say, "Where is their G-d?" Let there be known among the nations, before our eyes, the retribution of the spilled blood of Your servants. 11. Let the groan of the prisoner come before You; liberate those condemned to death, as befits the greatness of Your strength. 12. Repay our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom, for the disgrace with which they reviled You, O Lord. 13. And we, Your people, the flock of Your pasture, will thank You forever; for all generations we will recount Your praise.

Chapter 80

An awe-inspiring prayer imploring G-d to draw near to us as in days of old.

1. For the Conductor, on the shoshanim, 1 a testimony by Asaph, a psalm. 2. Listen, O Shepherd of Israel, Who leads Joseph like sheep. Appear, You Who is enthroned upon the cherubim. 3. Arouse Your might before Ephraim, Benjamin and Menashe, for it is upon You to save us. 4. Return us, O G-d; cause Your countenance to shine, that we may be saved. 5. O Lord, G-d of Hosts, until when will You fume at the prayer of Your people? 6. You fed them bread of tears, and gave them tears to drink in great measure. 7. You have made us an object of strife to our neighbors; our enemies mock to themselves. 8. Return us, O G-d of Hosts; cause Your countenance to shine, that we may be saved. 9. You brought a vine out of Egypt; You drove out nations and planted it. 10. You cleared space before it; it took root and filled the land. 11. Mountains were covered by its shade, and its branches became mighty cedars. 12. It sent forth its branches till the sea, and its tender shoots to the river. 13. Why did You breach its fences, so that every passerby plucked its fruit? 14. The boars of the forest ravage it, and the creepers of the field feed upon it. 15. O G-d of Hosts, please return! Look down from heaven and see, and be mindful of this vine, 16. and of the foundation which Your right hand has planted, and the son whom You strengthened for Yourself. 17. It is burned by fire, cut down; they perish at the rebuke of Your Presence. 18. Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, upon the son of man whom You strengthened for Yourself. 19. Then we will not withdraw from You; revive us, and we will proclaim Your Name. 20. O Lord, G-d of Hosts, return us; cause Your countenance to shine that we may be saved.

Chapter 81

This psalm was chanted in the Holy Temple on Rosh Hashanah, a day on which many miracles were wrought for Israel.

1. For the Conductor, upon the gittit,1 by Asaph. 2. Sing joyously to G-d, our strength; sound the shofar to the G-d of Jacob. 3. Raise your voice in song, sound the drum, the pleasant harp, and the lyre. 4. Blow the shofar on the New Month, on the designated day of our Holy Day; 5. for it is a decree for Israel, a ruling of the G-d of Jacob. 6. He ordained it as a precept for Joseph when he went forth over the land of Egypt; I heard a language which I did not know. 7. I have taken his shoulder from the burden; his hands were removed from the pot.2 8. In distress you called and I delivered you; [you called] in secret, and I answered you with thunderous wonders; I tested you at the waters of Merivah, Selah. 9. Hear, My people, and I will admonish you; Israel, if you would only listen to Me! 10. You shall have no alien G-d within you, nor shall you bow down to a foreign deity. 11. I am the Lord your G-d who brought you up from the land of Egypt; open wide your mouth, [state all your desires,] and I shall grant them. 12. But My people did not heed My voice; Israel did not want [to listen to] Me. 13. So I sent them away for the willfulness of their heart, for following their [evil] design. 14. If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would only walk in My ways, 15. then I would quickly subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their oppressors. 16. Those who hate the Lord would shrivel before Him, and the time [of their retribution] shall be forever. 17. I would feed him [Israel] with the finest of wheat, and sate you with honey from the rock. 

TIKKUN HAKLALI

Chapter 77

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. 21. You led Your people like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron. 

PSALM 89

28. I will also make him [My] firstborn, supreme over the kings of the earth.