Week 14 (Book 6): Reviewing the First Week of Teveth - Psalms 40-42; 42:8-10; 89:15

PSALMS

Chapter 40

1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David. 2. I put my hope in the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. 3. He raised me from the turbulent pit, from the slimy mud, and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps. 4. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our G-d; multitudes will see and fear, and will trust in the Lord. 5.Fortunate is the man who has made the Lord his trust, and did not turn to the haughty, nor to those who stray after falsehood. 6. You have done much, O You, Lord my G-d-Your wonders and thoughts are for us; none can compare to You; should I relate or speak of them, they are too numerous to recount! 7. You desired neither sacrifice nor meal-offering, but [obedient] ears You opened for me; You requested neither burnt-offering nor sin-offering. 8. Then I said, "Behold, I come with a Scroll of the Book written for me."1 9. I desire to fulfill Your will, my G-d; and Your Torah is in my innards. 10. I proclaimed [Your] righteousness in a vast congregation; behold I will not restrain my lips-O Lord, You know! 11. I did not conceal Your righteousness within my heart; I declared Your faithfulness and deliverance; I did not hide Your kindness and truth from the vast congregation. 12. May You, Lord, not withhold Your mercies from me; may Your kindness and truth constantly guard me. 13. For countless evils surround me; my sins have overtaken me and I cannot see; they outnumber the hairs of my head, and my heart has abandoned me. 14. May it please You, Lord, to save me; O Lord, hurry to my aid. 15. Let those who seek my life, to end it, be shamed and humiliated together; let those who desire my harm retreat and be disgraced. 16. Let those who say about me, "Aha! Aha!" be desolate, in return for their shaming [me]. 17. Let all those who seek You exult and rejoice in You; let those who love Your deliverance always say, "Be exalted, O Lord!” 18. As for me, I am poor and needy; my Lord will think of me. You are my help and my rescuer; my G-d, do not delay!

Chapter 41

1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David. 2. Fortunate is he who is thoughtful of the poor, [for] the Lord will save him on the day of evil. 3. The Lord will guard him and keep him alive; he will be praised throughout the land; You will not deliver him to the desires of his enemies. 4. The Lord will support him on the bed of illness; You will turn him over in his bed all throughout his sickness. 5. I said, "Lord, be gracious to me! Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You!” 6. My foes say that evil [awaits] me: "When will he die, and his name perish?” 7. And if one comes to see [me], he speaks insincerely, for his heart gathers iniquity for himself, and when he goes out he speaks of it. 8. Together they whisper against me-all my enemies; against me they devise my harm, [saying]: 9. "Let his wickedness pour into him; now that he lies down, he shall rise no more.” 10. Even my ally in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has raised his heel over me. 11. But you, Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up, and I will repay them.12. With this I shall know that You desire me, when my enemies will not shout gleefully over me. 13. And I, because of my integrity, You upheld me; You set me before You forever. 14. Blessed is the Lord, the G-d of Israel, to all eternity, Amen and Amen.

Chapter 42

1. For the Conductor, a maskil1 by the sons of Korach. 2. As the deer cries longingly for brooks of water, so my soul cries longingly for You, O G-d! 3. My soul thirsts for G-d, for the living G-d. When will I come and behold the countenance of G-d? 4. My tears have been my bread day and night, when they say to me all day, "Where is your G-d?” 5. These do I recall, and pour out my soul from within me: how I traveled [to Jerusalem] in covered wagons; I would walk leisurely with them up to the House of G-d, amid the sound of rejoicing and thanksgiving, the celebrating multitude. 6. Why are you downcast, my soul, and why do you wail within me? Hope to G-d, for I will yet thank Him for the deliverances of His countenance. 7. My G-d! My soul is downcast upon me, because I remember You from the land of Jordan and Hermon's peaks, from Mount Mitzar.2 8. Deep calls to deep3 at the roar of Your channels; all Your breakers and waves have swept over me. 9. By day the Lord ordains His kindness, and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the G-d of my life. 10. I say to G-d, my rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in gloom under the oppression of the enemy?” 11. Like a sword in my bones, my adversaries disgrace me, when they say to me all day, "Where is your G-d?” 12. Why are you downcast, my soul, and why do you wail within me? Hope to G-d, for I will yet thank Him; He is my deliverance, [the light of] my countenance, and my G-d.

TIKKUN HAKLALI

Chapter 42

8. Deep calls to deep at the roar of Your channels; all Your breakers and waves have swept over me. 9. By day the Lord ordains His kindness, and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the G-d of my life. 10. I say to G-d, my rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in gloom under the oppression of the enemy?”

PSALM 89

15. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; kindness and truth go before Your countenance.

Week 15 (Book 6): Reviewing the Second Week of Teveth - Psalms 43-45; 42:11-12, 59:1-2; 89:16

PSALMS

Chapter 43

1. Avenge me, O G-d, and champion my cause against an impious nation; rescue me from the man of deceit and iniquity. 2. For You are the G-d of my strength; why have You abandoned me? Why must I walk in gloom under the oppression of the enemy? 3. Send Your light and Your truth, they will guide me; they will bring me to Your holy mountain and to your sanctuaries. 4. Then I will come to the altar of G-d-to G-d, the joy of my delight-and praise You on the lyre, O G-d, my G-d. 5. Why are you downcast, my soul, and why do you wail within me? Hope to G-d, for I will yet thank Him; He is my deliverance, [the light of] my countenance, and my G-d.

Chapter 44

1. For the Conductor, by the sons of Korach, a maskil.1 2. G-d, with our ears we have heard, our fathers have told us, of the deeds You wrought in their days, in the days of old. 3. You drove out nations with Your hand, and planted [Israel in their place]; You afflicted peoples and banished them. 4. For not by their sword did they inherit the land, and their own arm did not save them, but by Your right hand, Your arm and the light of Your countenance-for You favored them. 5. You are my king, O G-d; decree the salvation of Jacob. 6. Through You will we gore our adversaries; with Your Name we will trample our opponents. 7. For I do not trust in my bow, and my sword cannot save me. 8. For You have delivered us from our foes, and You shamed those who hate us. 9. In G-d we glory all day, and forever thank Your Name, Selah. 10. Though You abandon and disgrace us, and do not go forth with our armies; 11. You cause us to retreat from the oppressor, and those who hate us plunder for themselves; 12. You deliver us like sheep to be devoured, and scatter us among the nations; 13. You sell Your nation without gain, and do not set a high price upon them; 14. You make us a disgrace to our neighbors, the scorn and derision of those around us; 15. You make us a byword among the nations, [a cause for] nodding the head among the peoples; 16. all day long my humiliation is before me, and the shame of my face covers me 17. at the voice of the reviler and blasphemer, because of the foe and avenger- 18. all this has come upon us, yet we have not forgotten You, nor have we been false to Your covenant. 19. Our hearts have not retracted, nor have our steps strayed from Your path. 20. Even when You crushed us in the place of serpents, and shrouded us in the shadow of death- 21. did we forget the Name of our G-d, and extend our hands to a foreign G-d? 22. Is it not so that G-d can examine this, for He knows the secrets of the heart. 23. For it is for Your sake that we are killed all the time; we are regarded as sheep for the slaughter. 24. Arise! Why do You sleep, my Lord? Wake up! Do not abandon [us] forever! 25. Why do You conceal Your countenance and forget our affliction and distress? 26. For our souls are bowed to the dust, our bellies cleave to the earth. 27. Arise! Be our help, and redeem us for the sake of Your kindness.

Chapter 45

1. For the Conductor, upon the shoshanim,1 By the sons of Korach; a maskil,2 a song of love. 2. My heart is astir with a noble theme; I say, "My composition is for the king;3 my tongue is the pen of a skillful scribe.” 3. You are the most handsome of men, charm is poured upon your lips; therefore has G-d blessed you forever. 4. Gird your sword upon your thigh, O mighty one-it is your majesty and splendor. 5. And with your splendor, succeed and ride on for the sake of truth and righteous humility; and your right hand will guide you to awesome deeds. 6. Your arrows are sharpened-nations fall beneath you-[the arrows fall] into the hearts of the king's enemies. 7. Your throne, O ruler, is forever and ever, [for] the scepter of justice is the scepter of your kingdom. 8. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore has G-d, your G-d, anointed you with oil of joy above your peers. 9. Myrrh, aloes and cassia are [the fragrance] of all your garments, which are from ivory palaces that bring you joy. 10. Daughters of kings visit you, and the queen stands erect at your right hand, adorned in the fine gold of Ophir. 11. Hear, O daughter, and observe, incline your ear; forget your people and your father's house. 12. Then the king will desire your beauty. He is your master-bow to him. 13. The daughter of Tyre, the wealthiest of nations, will seek your favor with a gift. 14. All the glory of the princess is within; her clothing surpasses settings of gold. 15. In embroidered garments she will be brought to the king; the maidens in her train, her companions, will be led to you. 16. They will be brought with gladness and joy, they will enter the palace of the king. 17. Your sons will succeed your fathers; you will appoint them ministers throughout the land. 18. I will cause Your Name to be remembered throughout the generations; therefore will the nations praise You forever and ever.

TIKKUN HAKLALI

Chapter 42

11. With murder in my bones, my oppressors have reproached me by saying to me all day long, "Where is your G-d?" 12. Why are you downcast, my soul, and why do you stir within me? Hope to G-d, for I will yet thank Him for the salvations of my countenance and my G-d.

Chapter 59

1. For the conductor, al tashcheth; of David a michtam, when Saul sent and they guarded the house to slay him. 2. Save me from my enemies, my G-d; strengthen me against those who rise up against me.

PSALM 89

16. Fortunate is the people that know the blasting of the shofar; O Lord, may they walk in the light of Your countenance.

Week 16 (Book 6): Reviewing the Third Week of Teveth - Psalms 46-48; 59:3-5; 89:17

PSALMS (Explanations and Translations from Chabad.org)

Chapter 46

This psalm tells of the Gog and Magog era (the Messianic age), when man will cast aside his weapons, and warfare will be no more.

1. For the Conductor, by the sons of Korach, on the alamot,1 a song. 2. G-d is our refuge and strength, a help in distress, He is most accessible. 3. Therefore, we will not be afraid when the earth is transformed, when mountains collapse in the heart of the seas; 4. when its waters roar and are muddied, and mountains quake before His grandeur, Selah. 5. The river2-its streams will bring joy to the city of G-d, the sacred dwelling of the Most High. 6. G-d is in her midst, she will not falter; G-d will help her at the approach of morning. 7. Nations clamor, kingdoms stumble; He raises His voice and the earth dissolves. 8. The Lord of Hosts is with us; the G-d of Jacob is our stronghold forever. 9. Go and see the works of the Lord, Who has wrought devastation in the land. 10. To the end of the earth He causes wars to cease; He breaks the bow, snaps the spear, and burns the wagons in fire. 11. Stop [waging war]! And know that I am G-d; I will be exalted among the nations, exalted upon the earth. 12. The Lord of Hosts is with us; the G-d of Jacob is our stronghold forever.

Chapter 47

Following the battle of Gog and Magog (in the Messianic era), war will be no more. G-d will grant us salvation, and we will merit to go up to the Holy Temple for the festivals, Amen.

1. For the Conductor, a psalm by the sons of Korach. 2. All you nations, clap hands; sound [the shofar] to G-d with a sound of jubilation. 3. For the Lord is most high, awesome; a great King over all the earth. 4. He subdues peoples under us, nations beneath our feet. 5. He chooses our heritage for us, the glory of Jacob whom He loves eternally. 6. G-d ascends through teruah, the Lord-through the sound of the shofar. 7. Sing, O sing to G-d; sing, O sing to our King. 8. For G-d is King over all the earth; sing, O man of understanding. 9. G-d reigns over the nations; G-d is seated on His holy throne. 10. The most noble of the nations are gathered, the nation of the G-d of Abraham; for the protectors of the earth belong to G-d; He is greatly exalted.

Chapter 48

The psalmist prophesies about the Messianic era, singing the praises of a rebuilt Jerusalem and the sacrifices brought there. At that time Israel will say, "As we heard from the mouths of the prophets, so have we merited to see!"

1. A song, a psalm by the sons of Korach. 2. The Lord is great and exceedingly acclaimed in the city of G-d, His holy mountain. 3. Beautiful in landscape, the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion, on the northern slopes, the city of the great King. 4. In her citadels, G-d became known as a tower of strength. 5. For behold, the kings assembled, they advanced in concert [to invade her]. 6. They saw [the wonders of the Almighty] and were astounded; they were terror-stricken, they hastened to flee. 7. Trembling seized them there, pangs as of a woman in the throes of labor; 8. [they were crushed as] by an east wind that shatters the ships of Tarshish. 9. As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the Lord of Hosts, in the city of our G-d; may G-d establish it for all eternity. 10. G-d, we have been hoping for Your kindness [to be revealed] within Your Sanctuary. 11. As Your Name, O G-d, [is great,] so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is filled with righteousness. 12. Let Mount Zion rejoice, let the towns of Judah exult, because of Your judgments. 13. Walk around Zion, encircle her, count her towers. 14. Consider well her ramparts, behold her lofty citadels, that you may recount it to a later generation. 15. For this G-d is our G-d forever and ever; He will lead us eternally. 

TIKKUN HAKLALI

Chapter 59

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! 

PSALM 89

17. They rejoice in Your Name all day, and they are exalted through Your righteousness.

Week 17 (Book 6): Reviewing the Fourth Week of Teveth - Psalms 49-51; 59:6-8; 89:18

PSALMS (Introductions and Translations from Chabad.org):

Chapter 49

This psalm is a strong message and inspiration for all, rich and poor alike, rebuking man for transgressions which, owing to habit, he no longer considers sinful; yet, these sins incriminate man on the Day of Judgment. The psalm speaks specifically to the wealthy, who rely not on G-d but on their wealth.

1. For the Conductor, by the sons of Korach, a psalm. 2. Hear this, all you peoples; listen, all you inhabitants of the world; 3. sons of common folk and sons of nobility, rich and poor alike. 4. My mouth speaks wisdom, and the thoughts of my heart are understanding. 5. I incline my ear to the parable; I will unravel my riddle upon the harp. 6. Why am I afraid in times of trouble? [Because] the sins I trod upon surround me. 7. There are those who rely on their wealth, who boast of their great riches. 8. Yet a man cannot redeem his brother, nor pay his ransom to G-d. 9. The redemption of their soul is too costly, and forever unattainable. 10. Can one live forever, never to see the grave? 11. Though he sees that wise men die, that the fool and the senseless both perish, leaving their wealth to others- 12. [nevertheless,] in their inner thoughts their houses will last forever, their dwellings for generation after generation; they have proclaimed their names throughout the lands. 13. But man will not repose in glory; he is likened to the silenced animals. 14. This is their way-their folly remains with them, and their descendants approve of their talk, Selah. 15. Like sheep, they are destined for the grave; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright will dominate them at morning; their form will rot in the grave, away from its abode. 16. But G-d will redeem my soul from the hands of the grave, for He will take me, Selah. 17. Do not fear when a man grows rich, when the glory of his house is increased; 18. for when he dies he will take nothing, his glory will not descend after him. 19. For he [alone] praises himself in his lifetime; but [all] will praise you if you better yourself. 20. He will come to the generation of his forefathers; they shall not see light for all eternity. 21. Man [can live] in glory but does not understand; he is likened to the silenced animals.

Chapter 50

This psalm speaks of many ethics and morals. The psalmist rebukes those who fail to repent humbly and modestly. He also admonishes those who do not practice that which they study, and merely appear to be righteous; they sin and cause others to sin.

1. A psalm by Asaph. Almighty G-d, the Lord, spoke and called to the earth, from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2. Out of Zion, the place of perfect beauty, G-d appeared. 3. Our G-d will come and not be silent; a fire will consume before Him, His surroundings are furiously turbulent. 4. He will call to the heavens above, and to the earth, to avenge His people: 5. "Gather to Me My pious ones, those who made a covenant with me over a sacrifice.” 6. Then the heavens declared His righteousness, for G-d is Judge forever. 7. Listen, my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against you-I am G-d your G-d. 8. Not for [the lack of] your sacrifices will I rebuke you, nor for [the lack of] your burnt offerings which ought to be continually before Me. 9. I do not take oxen from your house, nor goats from your pens; 10. for every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle of a thousand mountains. 11. I know every bird of the mountains, and the crawling creatures of the field are in My possession. 12. Were I hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and everything in it is mine. 13. Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? 14. Offer confession as a sacrifice to G-d, and fulfill your vows to the Most High, 15. and call to Me on the day of distress; I will free you, and you will honor Me. 16. But to the wicked, G-d said, "What does it help you to discuss My laws, and bear My covenant upon your lips? 17. For you hate discipline, and throw My words behind you. 18. When you see a thief you run with him, and your lot is with adulterers. 19. You sent forth your mouth for evil, and attach your tongue to deceit. 20. You sit down to talk against your brother; your mother's son you defame. 21. You have done these things and I kept silent, so you imagine that I am like you-[but] I will rebuke you and lay it clearly before your eyes. 22. Understand this now, you who forget G-d, lest I tear you apart and there be none to save you. 23. He who offers a sacrifice of confession honors Me; and to him who sets right his way, I will show the deliverance of G-d."

Chapter 51

This psalm speaks of when Nathan the prophet went to David's palace, and rebuked him for his sin with Bathsheba. David then secluded himself with G-d, offering awe-inspiring prayers and begging forgiveness. Every person should recite this psalm for his sins and transgressions.

1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David, 2. when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had gone to Bathsheba. 3. Be gracious to me, O G-d, in keeping with Your kindness; in accordance with Your abounding compassion, erase my transgressions. 4. Cleanse me thoroughly of my wrongdoing, and purify me of my sin. 5. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 6. Against You alone have I sinned, and done that which is evil in Your eyes; [forgive me] so that You will be justified in Your verdict, vindicated in Your judgment. 7. Indeed, I was begotten in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 8. Indeed, You desire truth in the innermost parts; teach me the wisdom of concealed things. 9. Purge me with hyssop and I shall be pure; cleanse me and I shall be whiter than snow. 10. Let me hear [tidings of] joy and gladness; then the bones which You have shattered will rejoice. 11. Hide Your face from my sins, and erase all my trespasses. 12. Create in me a pure heart, O G-d, and renew within me an upright spirit. 13. Do not cast me out of Your presence, and do not take Your Spirit of Holiness away from me. 14. Restore to me the joy of Your deliverance, and uphold me with a spirit of magnanimity. 15. I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will return to You. 16. Save me from bloodguilt, O G-d, G-d of my deliverance; my tongue will sing Your righteousness. 17. My Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Your praise. 18. For You do not desire that I bring sacrifices, nor do You wish burnt offerings. 19. The offering [desirable] to G-d is a contrite spirit; a contrite and broken heart, G-d, You do not disdain. 20. In Your goodwill, bestow goodness upon Zion; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. 21. Then will You desire sacrifices [offered in] righteousness, olah and other burnt offerings; then they will offer bullocks upon Your altar. 

TIKKUN HAKLALI

Chapter 59

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?” 

PSALM 89

18. Indeed, You are the splendor of their might, and in Your goodwill our glory is exalted. 

Week 18 (Book 6): Reviewing the First Week of Shevat - Psalms 52-54; 59:9-11; 89:19

PSALMS (Introductions and Translations from Chabad.org):

Chapter 52

David laments his suffering at the hands of Doeg, and speaks of Doeg's boasts about the evil he committed. David asks, "What does he think? Does he consider the doing of evil a mark of strength?" David also curses Doeg and those like him.

1. For the Conductor, a maskil by David, 2. when Doeg the Edomite came and informed Saul, saying to him, "David has come to the house of Achimelech.” 3. Why do you boast with evil, O mighty one? G-d's kindness is all day long. 4. Your tongue devises treachery; like a sharpened razor it works deceit. 5. You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking righteousness, Selah. 6. You love all devouring words, a deceitful tongue. 7. G-d will likewise shatter you forever; He will excise and pluck you from the tent, and uproot you from the land of the living forever. 8. The righteous will see it and be awed, and they will laugh at him: 9. "Here is the man who did not make G-d his stronghold, but trusted in his great wealth, and drew strength from his treachery.” 10. But I am like a fresh olive tree in the house of G-d; I trust in G-d's kindness forever and ever. 11. I will thank you forever for what You have done; I will hope in Your Name, for You are good to Your pious ones.

Chapter 53

This psalm speaks of when Titus pierced the curtain of the Holy of Holies with his sword, and thought he had killed "himself" (a euphemism for G-d).

1. For the Conductor, on the machalat,1 a mas-kil2 by David. 2. The fool says in his heart, "There is no G-d!" They have acted corruptly and committed abominable deeds; not one does good. 3. G-d looked down from heaven upon mankind, to see if there was any man of intelligence who searches for G-d. 4. But they all regressed together; they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. 5. Indeed, the evildoers who devour My people as they devour bread, who do not call upon G-d, will come to realize. 6. There they will be seized with fright, a fright such as never was; for G-d scatters the bones of those encamped against you. You shamed them, for G-d rejected them. 7. O that out of Zion would come Israel's deliverance! When G-d returns the captivity of His people, Jacob will exult, Israel will rejoice.

Chapter 54

A prayer to G-d asking that in His might He save all who hope for His kindness. Read, and you will discover an awe-inspiring and wondrous prayer that should be said by all in the appropriate time.

1. For the Conductor, with instrumental music, a maskil by David, 2. when the Ziphites came and said to Saul, "Behold, David is hiding among us!” 3. O G-d, deliver me by Your Name, and vindicate me by Your might. 4. G-d, hear my prayer, listen to the words of my mouth. 5. For strangers have risen against me, and ruthless men have sought my soul; they are not mindful of G-d, Selah. 6. Behold, G-d is my helper; my Lord is with those who support my soul. 7. He will repay the evil of my watchful enemies; destroy them by Your truth. 8. With a free-will offering I will sacrifice to You; I will offer thanks to Your Name, O Lord, for it is good. 9. For He has saved me from every trouble, and my eye has seen [the downfall of] my enemy. 

TIKKUN HAKLALI

Chapter 59

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. 

PSALM 89

19. For our protectors turn to the Lord, and our king to the Holy One of Israel.