RECITING PSALMS
Introduction: This comment is in memory of my late mother (Brainah Leah bat Moshe Aharon) and for all those who read Tehillim for the sake of others. [To see the full Mechon Mamre text, please click here.]

Psalm 57 is attributed to David, continuing the pattern of: 1) pleading with the Almighty for protection from his enemies, and 2) praising G-d for his rescue.

This Psalm cites the incident in I Samuel 24:3-7 involving King Saul and David when they inadvertently were together in a cave in the Ein Gedi wilderness. Saul had gathered 3,000 men to chase after David but in a moment of need, entered a cave to relieve himself, unaware that David and his men were hiding close by.

לַמְנַצֵּחַ אַל-תַּשְׁחֵת, לְדָוִד מִכְתָּם– בְּבָרְחוֹ מִפְּנֵי-שָׁאוּל, בַּמְּעָרָה. For the Leader; Al-tashheth. Of David; Mikhtam; when he fled from Saul, in the cave. (Psalms 57:1)

Saul likely suffered from bi-polar depression and convinced himself that David was trying to kill him and/or take over the throne. David had the opportunity to take Saul’s life while he was indisposed, but instead surreptitiously cut off a piece of the King’s inner garment.

יִשְׁלַח מִשָּׁמַיִם, וְיוֹשִׁיעֵנִי– חֵרֵף שֹׁאֲפִי סֶלָה; יִשְׁלַח אֱ-לֹהִים, חַסְדּוֹ וַאֲמִתּוֹ. [G-d] … will send from heaven, and save me, when he who swallows me taunts, Selah; G-d shall send forth mercy and truth. (Psalms 57:4)

Following Saul from the cave, David called out that had he wished to murder the King, the opportunity had just presented itself. As proof he showed the cut cloth. In a moment of mental clarity, Saul saw the truth and acknowledged that David was worthy to be the next King.

רֶשֶׁת, הֵכִינוּ לִפְעָמַי– כָּפַף נַפְשִׁי: כָּרוּ לְפָנַי שִׁיחָה; נָפְלוּ בְתוֹכָהּ סֶלָה. They’ve prepared a net for my steps, my soul is bowed down; they’ve dug a pit before me, they’ve fallen into the midst themselves. Selah (Psalms 57:7)

Rabbi Samson Rafael Hirsch comments that ‘awakening the dawn’ suggests human beings have an ability to take the darkest night of their afflictions and turn it into the dawn of a new day. (Verse 9 was popularised by Rabbi Shlomo Carlbach. Click here for a rendition.)

עוּרָה כְבוֹדִי–עוּרָה, הַנֵּבֶל וְכִנּוֹר; אָעִירָה שָּׁחַר. Awake, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp; I will awaken the dawn. (Psalms 57:9)

This Psalm begins with prayer and complaint and concludes with joyous praise. It teaches that in times of trouble, as in times of joy, we must equally offer our prayers to the Almighty.

רוּמָה עַל-שָׁמַיִם אֱ-לֹהִים; עַל כָּל-הָאָרֶץ כְּבוֹדֶךָ. Be exalted, O G-d, above the heavens; Your glory be above all the earth. (Psalms 57:12)

NB: Though David was pressed by his men to kill Saul, he chose only to cut a corner of the King’s garment. Yet as soon as his hand completed its task, he knew that he’d done wrong. In his old age, David’s punishment was that clothing wouldn’t provide him any warmth.

Joshua – London Jewish News – 16 November 2017

Joshua was born in Egypt, his father Nun, descended from the tribe of Ephraim. He’s first mentioned as the ‘lad’ who was Moshe’s devoted aide de camp.

Next he appeared in the counter-attack against Amalek – a battle that ended indecisively. He was at the base of Mt Sinai – when Moshe received the Ten Commandments from G-d and during the incident of the Golden Calf.

One of few Biblical figures to be blessed with a change of name, he became Yehoshua from Hoshea, just before the spies began their 40-day mission. His role as 1 of only 2 of the 12 Spies who returned from Cana’an with a favorable report enabled him to survive the ensuing 40 years wandering in the desert; ultimately becoming Moshe’s successor.

As newly appointed leader of the Jewish people, Joshua was described ‘as the Moon in relation to Moshe’s Sun.’ It was assumed he’d be a mere reflection of Moshe’s greatness. Yet, he instigated mass circumcision on the eve of entering Cana’an, as well as celebrating the 1^st Pesah Seder since the Exodus.

In his own merit the waters of the Jordan River split, he was visited by an Angel, brought down the walls of Jericho and petitioned the Almighty to stop the sun from setting during his battle with the Amorites at Gibeon (Joshua 10:13).

His ultimate achievement was conquering the land of Cana’an from the resident nations who’d fallen out of favor with G-d, and dividing it among the 9 ½ tribes of Israel. Completing his long years of service, Joshua’s final days ended peacefully in his ancestral home near Shiloh, aged 110.

Aide de camp, scout, military commander and administrator general, Joshua’s life teaches that Implementation is as important as Vision. His enduring legacy is that integrity & rigor, consistency & self-discipline, high moral character and most important humility, are the bedrock for becoming a successful national leader.

Rabbi Jeff Berger serves the Rambam Sephardi Synagogue in Elstree/ Borehamwood and can be contacted at RabbiJeffLondon@gmail.com.

Naomi – London Jewish News – 9 October 2017 – Rabbi Jeff Berger

Naomi – whose name means pleasantness – lived a life that was anything but. She appears in the narrative as the silent, accommodating wife of Elimelekh, a wealthy man from Bethlehem. And when famine struck, the family disingenuously moved to Moab. In the ensuing 10 years, sadly, first her husband, and then her married sons died off.

As the widow Naomi’s high-status evaporated, she rediscovered her own voice. Deciding to return to Bethlehem, she attempted to cut all ties with Moab. Yet one of her two daughter’s-in-law, insisted on travelling back with her; their delicate devotion to each other is beautifully conveyed in the Book of Ruth.

Returning home to country and kinsmen, Naomi asked those remembering her to call her Mara (bitterness). Her sojourn abroad had been a desolate failure!

Many of us face immense adversity and succumb to its overwhelming pressures. Naomi could have been forgiven the same. Few realize how much faith, courage, and ingenuity it takes to press forward. So it’s uplifting to read that back home, Naomi emerged a transformed woman.

Her resourcefulness and Ruth’s cooperation enlisted their kinsman’s redemptive aid. Boaz, after marrying Ruth also bought back Elimelekh’s mortgaged fields. And so, eventually Naomi returned to social importance and was credited with raising Ruth’s child, Obed, from whom King David would descend.

Let us not pretend that Jewish communities in the UK and elsewhere are without our share of struggling single mothers, once socially vibrant widows and those whose fortunes have simply taken a turn for the worse.

Lessons to learn from Naomi are that our adversity shouldn’t be allowed to define any one of us. But, equally, it is incumbent upon us all to lend support and help relieve the bitterness of the Naomi’s of the Jewish world. They have much to add to our communal success!

Rabbi Jeff Berger serves the Rambam Sephardi Synagogue in Elstree/ Borehamwood and can be contacted at RabbiJeffLondon@gmail.com.

RECITING PSALMS
Introduction: This comment is in memory of my late mother (Brainah Leah bat Moshe Aharon) and for all those who read Tehillim for the sake of others. [To see the full Mechon Mamre text, please click here.]

Psalm 56 is attributed to King David when he was in imminent mortal danger (a continuing theme since Psalm 52). It is supposed to have been conceived during the brief period when David took refuge from King Saul among the Philistines in Gath (I Samuel 21:11-16).

There are 2 parts to this Psalm; David complains of his enemies’ malice, praying for mercy for himself & Divine justice against them, and, David confides in G-d, reminding himself of the need to praise the Almighty and be strong no matter the circumstances. (The full text can be found here.)

חָנֵּנִי אֱ-לֹהִים, כִּי-שְׁאָפַנִי אֱנוֹשׁ; כָּל-הַיּוֹם, לֹחֵם יִלְחָצֵנִי. Be gracious unto me, O G-d, for man would swallow me up; all the day his fighting oppresses me. (Psalms 56:2)

שָׁאֲפוּ שׁוֹרְרַי, כָּל-הַיּוֹם: כִּי-רַבִּים לֹחֲמִים לִי מָרוֹם. They that lie in wait would swallow me up all day; for many fight against me, O Most High. (Psalms 56:3)

Torn in two directions, being forced to hide from one enemy (Saul) in the midst of another (the Philistines), David feigned madness and was left alone. His protectors didn’t know David’s real identity or they may have exacted revenge for his killing Goliath years before.

עַל-אָוֶן פַּלֶּט-לָמוֹ; בְּאַף, עַמִּים הוֹרֵד אֱ-לֹהִים. Because of their iniquity cast them out; in anger bring down those peoples, O G-d. (Psalms 56:8)

Those who face challenges and suffering are often inclined to ask; ‘Why me?’ Everyday life is mixed with joy & happiness and struggle & oppression. It’s easy to praise the Almighty in good times. But in difficult circumstances, one must overcome feelings of hopelessness, dread and despair to remind ourselves that nothing is beyond G-d’s abilities, and that relief and support can come in an instance (as often happened with David).

בֵּא-לֹהִים בָּטַחְתִּי, לֹא אִירָא; מַה-יַּעֲשֶׂה אָדָם לִי. In G-d do I trust, I won’t be afraid; what can man do to me? (Psalms 56:12)

כִּי הִצַּלְתָּ נַפְשִׁי, מִמָּוֶת– הֲלֹא רַגְלַי, מִדֶּחִי: לְהִתְהַלֵּךְ, לִפְנֵי אֱ-לֹהִים– בְּאוֹר, הַחַיִּים. You delivered my soul from death; have you not delivered my feet from stumbling? That I may walk before G-d in the light of the living. (Psalms 56:14)

This Psalm can be read by the persecuted, oppressed and the fretful, depressed, reminding ourselves we must have Faith in G-d’s eventual and ultimate Goodness.

GENERAL NOTE: For those who read Psalms regularly as a prayer for well-being, it’s interesting to note the 150 chapters are divided into 3 different partitions. There is the Days-of-the-Week division where one can recite roughly 20-30 Psalms per day completing the entirety within 7 days. There is a separate division based on the 30-Day Calendar where one can read roughly 5 chapters per day and finish the entirety within a month.

Then there is a division which comprises 5 Books; Book 1 consists of Psalms 1–41, Book 2 of Psalms 42–72, Book 3 of Psalms 73–89, Book 4 of Psalms 90–106, and Book 5 of Psalms 107–150. This last division is referenced in the midrash as being modelled on the 5 Books of the Torah.

Scholars have noted that among the differences between the 5 books of Psalms is the use of the name for G-d. Books 1, 4 & 5 predominantly use the 4-letter name beginning with the letter Yod, while Books 2 & 3 more frequently use the name Elohkim.

Of the 150 chapters of Tehillim, the longest (Chapter 119) is 176 verses and the shortest are 2 verses (Chapters 117 & 131). The average is 17 verses.

RECITING PSALMS
Introduction: This comment is in memory of my late mother (Brainah Leah bat Moshe Aharon) and for all those who read Tehillim for the sake of others. [To see the full Mechon Mamre text, please click here.]

Chapter 55: Psalm 55 is attributed to the Maskhil of David. It continues the recent pattern of lamentation due-to-betrayal since Psalm 52 and resembles the sentiment in Psalm 41. It can be divided into 3 main sections; despair, indignation and trust.

David is initially distraught by the oppression of his enemies (v. 1-8). His tone shifts to righteous anger (v 9-15) and concludes with the familiar refrain of Faith in the justice of the Almighty who will exact Divine revenge upon those deserving it (16-24).

מִקּוֹל אוֹיֵב–מִפְּנֵי, עָקַת רָשָׁע: כִּי-יָמִיטוּ עָלַי אָוֶן, וּבְאַף יִשְׂטְמוּנִי. Because of the enemy’s voice, because of the oppression of the wicked; for they cast mischief upon me, and in anger persecute me. (Psalms 55:4)

לִבִּי, יָחִיל בְּקִרְבִּי; וְאֵימוֹת מָוֶת, נָפְלוּ עָלָי. My heart writhes within me; and the terrors of death have fallen upon me. (Psalms 55:5)

וָאֹמַר–מִי-יִתֶּן-לִי אֵבֶר, כַּיּוֹנָה: אָעוּפָה וְאֶשְׁכֹּנָה. And I said: ‘Oh that I had wings like a dove! Would I fly away, and be at rest. (Psalms 55:7)

‘If I had wings’ echoes a beautiful Ladino phrase poignantly referenced in this Holocaust story by Hannah Pressman about her grandmother’s last years on the Isle of Rhodes, before the deportation.

בַּלַּע אֲ-דֹנָי, פַּלַּג לְשׁוֹנָם: כִּי-רָאִיתִי חָמָס וְרִיב בָּעִיר. Destroy, O Lord, divide their tongue; for I’ve seen violence and strife in the city. (Psalms 55:10)

כִּי לֹא-אוֹיֵב יְחָרְפֵנִי, וְאֶשָּׂא: לֹא-מְשַׂנְאִי, עָלַי הִגְדִּיל; וְאֶסָּתֵר מִמֶּנּוּ. For it wasn’t an enemy taunting me, that I could have borne; neither was it an adversary magnifying himself against me, that I would have hid from. (Psalms 55:13)

וְאַתָּה אֱנוֹשׁ כְּעֶרְכִּי; אַלּוּפִי, וּמְיֻדָּעִי. But it was you, a man my equal; my companion, and my familiar friend. (Psalms 55:14)

Commentators suggest this Psalm refers to the revolt of Absalom, who usurped his father’s throne, and specifically to the betrayal of David by his closest advisor, Ahitophel who joined Absalom’s side. But when his military advice to Absalom was ignored, Ahitophel realised defeat would soon follow. Quietly, he returned home, settled his affairs – and most likely to avoid David’s wrath – hung himself. (See II Samuel Chaps 15-17)

אֲנִי, אֶל-אֱ-לֹהִים אֶקְרָא; וַי-הוָה, יוֹשִׁיעֵנִי. As for me, I will call upon G-d; and the LORD will save me. (Psalms 55:17)

פָּדָה בְשָׁלוֹם נַפְשִׁי, מִקְּרָב-לִי: כִּי-בְרַבִּים, הָיוּ עִמָּדִי. He redeemed my soul in peace so none came near me; for many strove with me. (Psalms 55:19)

הַשְׁלֵךְ עַל-יְ-הוָה, יְהָבְךָ– וְהוּא יְכַלְכְּלֶךָ: לֹא-יִתֵּן לְעוֹלָם מוֹט– לַצַּדִּיק. Cast your burden upon the LORD, who will sustain you; never suffering the righteous to be moved. (Psalms 55:23)

Psalm 55 is often recited by those feeling indignation and anger toward their persecutors, reminding themselves that Divine salvation and joy are yet ahead. Perhaps for that reason this Psalm has been put to music by the likes of Felix Mendelssohn in 1844, Anton Dvorak in 1894 and the Hungarian Zoltan Kodaly in 1923 (click to listen).

RECITING PSALMS
Introduction: This comment is in memory of my late mother (Brainah Leah bat Moshe Aharon) and for all those who read Tehillim for the sake of others. [To see the full Mechon Mamre text, please click here.]

Psalm 54 is attributed to David and is a lament about betrayal by members of his own tribe. There are 2 main themes; a complaint to G-d about the malice of his enemies and a prayer for relief, and the reassurance that G-d’s Divine favour and protection would stay with him forever.

בְּבֹא הַזִּיפִים, וַיֹּאמְרוּ לְשָׁאוּל: הֲלֹא דָוִד, מִסְתַּתֵּר עִמָּנוּ. When the Ziphites came and said to Saul: ‘Doesn’t David hide himself in our midst?’ (Psalms 54:2)

The Ziphites were direct descendants of Judah, David’s tribe, as described in Joshua 15:20/55. Their report to Saul in I Samuel 23:19-29 led to David almost being captured.

כִּי זָרִים, קָמוּ עָלַי- וְעָרִיצִים, בִּקְשׁוּ נַפְשִׁי; לֹא שָׂמוּ אֱ-לֹהִים לְנֶגְדָּם סֶלָה. For strangers rise-up against me, and violent men seek after my soul; they’ve not set G-d before them. Selah (Psalms 54:5)

The reference to strangers suggests ‘people who should have been his allies but treated him like a stranger’ which is morally more disheartening. Those closest to us are the ones we trust most. Their betrayal cuts into us deeply.

הִנֵּה אֱ-לֹהִים, עֹזֵר לִי; אֲ-דֹנָי, בְּסֹמְכֵי נַפְשִׁי. Behold, G-d is my helper; the Lord is for me the upholder of my soul. (Psalms 54:6)

כִּי מִכָּל-צָרָה, הִצִּילָנִי; וּבְאֹיְבַי, רָאֲתָה עֵינִי. For He delivered me out of all trouble; my eye gazed upon mine enemies. (Psalms 54:9)

Ironically, before the Ziphites betrayed David to Saul, Jonathan (Saul’s son) went to warn David to flee. In effect, this too was a betrayal.

Nonetheless, Saul’s army drew close to capturing David & his men. At the last moment, a messenger arrived to alert Saul; ‘The Philistines have attacked’. So Saul & his army quickly withdrew. That place became known as Selah HaMahlekot (Rock of Division). David indeed lived to see the dispersion of those wishing him harm.

It is suggested that reciting this Psalm is useful for those experiencing feelings of betrayal and hopelessness.

RECITING PSALMS
Introduction: This comment is in memory of my late mother (Brainah Leah bat Moshe Aharon) and for all those who read Tehillim for the sake of others. [To see the full Mechon Mamre text, please click here.]

Chapter 53: Psalm 53 is attributed to David and is identical to Psalm 14. At only 7 verses in length, it decries humanity’s tragic and foolhardy preoccupation with corruption and sin, offering the hope of salvation for the righteous. G-d chastises those whose pursuit of evil has led to persecuting others, while ultimately giving encouragement to Jacob, Israel & Zion to take heed and rejoice.

Yet it is deeply puzzling why David would have repeated here what seems almost entirely the same as Chapter 14. We’ll compare verses from both Psalms to demonstrate their similarity & difference.

אָמַר נָבָל בְּלִבּוֹ, אֵין אֱל-ֹהִים; הִשְׁחִיתוּ, וְהִתְעִיבוּ עָוֶל– אֵין עֹשֵׂה-טוֹב. The fool said in his heart: ‘There is no God’; they’ve dealt corruptly, and have performed abominable sins; none does good. (Psalms 53:2)

For the Leader. [A Psalm] of David. The fool said in his heart: ‘There is no God’; they’ve dealt corruptly, they’ve done abominably; there is no one who does good. (Psalms 14:1)

הֲלֹא יָדְעוּ, פֹּעֲלֵי-אָוֶן: אֹכְלֵי עַמִּי, אָכְלוּ לֶחֶם; אֱ-לֹהִים, לֹא קָרָאוּ. Shall not the workers of iniquity know, who eat up My people as they eat bread, and call not upon God? (Psalms 53:5)

Shall not all the workers of iniquity know, who eat up My people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD? (Psalms 14:4)

שָׁם, פָּחֲדוּ פַחַד- לֹא-הָיָה-פָחַד:כִּי-אֱ-לֹהִים–פִּזַּר, עַצְמוֹת חֹנָךְ; הֱבִשֹׁתָה, כִּי-אֱ-לֹהִים מְאָסָם. There are they in great fear, where no fear was; for God scattered the bones of the one who ‘encamped’ against you; putting them to shame, because God rejected them. (Psalms 53:6)

There are they in great fear; for God is with the righteous generation. (Psalms 14:5) You put to shame the counsel of the poor, but the LORD is his refuge. (Psalms 14:6)

מִי יִתֵּן מִצִּיּוֹן, יְשֻׁעוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל: בְּשׁוּב אֱ-לֹהִים, שְׁבוּת עַמּוֹ; יָגֵל יַעֲקֹב, יִשְׂמַח יִשְׂרָאֵל. Oh that Israel’s salvation were to come out of Zion! When God turns the captivity of His people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. (Psalms 53:7)

Oh that the salvation of Israel were to come out of Zion! When the LORD turns the captivity of His people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. (Psalms 14:7)

According to Rashi, metaphorically Psalm 14 prophesied the destruction of the 1^st Temple, thus Psalm 53 would do the same for the 2^nd Temple. But King David obviously lived before the period of the 1^st Temple (built by his son Solomon). So this Psalm – while it may have had a prophetic component – must have also had relevance to David’s life.

The clue may likely be in the disparity of Verse 6. The triple Hebrew reference to ‘a fear (pahad) where there was no fear’ can be linked to the Biblical chastisement known as the  Tokhaha appearing both in Leviticus 26 and in Deuteronomy 28 – the Israelite’s rebuke for not following G-d’s commands. Another clue may be the reference to ‘scattered bones’ which often connotes devastation from war.

Perhaps (like Chapter 52) this chapter refers to the life-threatening experiences David had with King Saul or worse, to Saul’s demoralising death during war with the Philistines. But, as for why David recorded this Psalm twice, further investigation is required.

RECITING PSALMS
Introduction: This comment is in memory of my late mother (Brainah Leah bat Moshe Aharon) and for all those who read Tehillim for the sake of others. [To see the full Mechon Mamre text, please click here.]

Chapter 52: Psalm 52 is attributed to David and is referred to as a Psalm of Trust in the Almighty’s assistance. Its theme is the accusation and indictment of a perpetrator whose crime was so great it precluded forgiveness. This Psalm warns of the immense evil of tale-bearing and slander, and bemoans those who misuse their G-d given talents.

The tragic story of Ahimelek and the priests of Nob betrayed by Doeg the Edomite is told in I Samuel Chapters 21-22. An exhausted David, who’d fled the irrational King Saul, sought help from a priestly city, where  Ahimelekh innocently provided David with 5 loaves of bread and Goliath’s sword.

בְּבוֹא, דּוֹאֵג הָאֲדֹמִי- וַיַּגֵּד לְשָׁאוּל: וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ- בָּא דָוִד, אֶל-בֵּית אֲחִימֶלֶךְ. When Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, ‘David is come to the house of Ahimelech.’ (Psalms 52:2)

Unbeknown to Ahimelekh (who was a direct descendant of Eli), David was a fugitive. Shortly afterwards, Doeg betrayed this deed to King Saul. And in his wrath, Saul commanded Doeg to kill all the priests (85) and then obliterate the town of Nob.

אָהַבְתָּ רָּע מִטּוֹב; שֶׁקֶר, מִדַּבֵּר צֶדֶק סֶלָה. You love evil more than good; falsehood rather than speaking righteousness. Selah (Psalms 52:5)

Rashi comments that Doeg was well-versed in Torah. Maimonides, referring to those who can never achieve repentance, lists Doeg as an example.

גַּם-אֵ-ל, יִתָּצְךָ לָנֶצַח: יַחְתְּךָ וְיִסָּחֲךָ מֵאֹהֶל; וְשֵׁרֶשְׁךָ מֵאֶרֶץ חַיִּים סֶלָה. G-d will likewise break you forever, taking you up, and plucking you out of your tent; and rooting you out of the land of the living. Selah (Psalms 52:7)

הִנֵּה הַגֶּבֶר- לֹא יָשִׂים אֱ-לֹהִים, מָעוּזּוֹ: וַיִּבְטַח, בְּרֹב עָשְׁרוֹ; יָעֹז, בְּהַוָּתוֹ. Behold, this is the man who didn’t make G-d his stronghold; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.’ (Psalms 52:9)

The sole surviving child of Ahimelekh, Aviatar, escaped, finding David and bringing with him the priestly regalia (Ephod with Urim & Thumim). David felt great remorse for the calamity caused and appointed Aviatar as their priest.

אוֹדְךָ לְעוֹלָם, כִּי עָשִׂיתָ;    וַאֲקַוֶּה שִׁמְךָ כִי-טוֹב, נֶגֶד חֲסִידֶיךָ. I give thanks for ever, because You’ve done it; and I give hope in Your name, for it’s good, in the presence of Your saints. (Psalms 52:11)

When David was anointed King, Aviatar was made High Priest, proving his loyalty to the King when David’s son Abshalom tried to usurp the throne. But later, Aviatar was deposed and banished to his home for attempting to support the appointment of Adoniah rather than Solomon.

Psalm 51 is attributed to King David. It is another of the penitential Psalms and is referred to in the famed work Gates of Repentance by Rabbeinu Yonah (Catalan, d 1264).

The Psalm contains David’s confession to the Prophet Nathan after the illicit affair with Bat Sheba and David’s command for her husband Uriah to be killed in battle (II Samuel 12-13). It can be divided into 7 parts: the confession, a prayer for pardon, for a clear conscience, for strength not to sin again, for a return of G-d’s spirit, with a promise to help the souls of others, concluding with a prayer for Jerusalem & Zion. (The entire text can be found here.)

ְּבוֹא–אֵלָיו, נָתָן הַנָּבִיא– כַּאֲשֶׁר–בָּא, אֶל–בַּת–שָׁבַע. When Nathan the prophet came to him, after he’d gone to Bat-Sheba. (Psalms 51:2)

חָנֵּנִי אֱ–לֹהִים כְּחַסְדֶּךָ; כְּרֹב רַחֲמֶיךָ, מְחֵה פְשָׁעָי. Be gracious unto me, O G-d, according to Your mercy; according to the multitude of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. (Psalms 51:3)

הרבה (הֶרֶב), כַּבְּסֵנִי מֵעֲו‍ֹנִי; וּמֵחַטָּאתִי טַהֲרֵנִי. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. (Psalms 51:4)

כִּי–פְשָׁעַי, אֲנִי אֵדָע; וְחַטָּאתִי נֶגְדִּי תָמִיד. For I know my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me. (Psalms 51:5)

Due to this sin, David lost his prophetic powers and pleaded for the Almighty to return to him the spirit of Holiness.

לֵב טָהוֹר, בְּרָא–לִי אֱ–לֹהִים; וְרוּחַ נָכוֹן, חַדֵּשׁ בְּקִרְבִּי. Create in me a clean heart, O G-d; and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalms 51:12)

אַל–תַּשְׁלִיכֵנִי מִלְּפָנֶיךָ; וְרוּחַ קָדְשְׁךָ, אַל–תִּקַּח מִמֶּנִּי. Cast me not away from Your presence; and take not Your holy spirit from me. (Psalms 51:13)

Included within the Psalm are verses well-known in our prayer liturgy. Most recognised is V.17 serving as the introductory words before each Amidah. The Psalm aptly concludes with a formula for true repentance – a humbled spirit and a contrite heart.

אֲ–דֹנָי, שְׂפָתַי תִּפְתָּח; וּפִי, יַגִּיד תְּהִלָּתֶךָ. O Lord, open my lips; and my mouth shall declare Your praise. (Psalms 51:17)

זִבְחֵי אֱ–לֹהִים, רוּחַ נִשְׁבָּרָה: לֵב–נִשְׁבָּר וְנִדְכֶּה— אֱ–לֹהִים, לֹא תִבְזֶה. Sacrifices to G-d are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart which, O G-d, You won’t despise. (Psalms 51:19)

Because of its remorse-filled approach to repentance, it’s highly appropriate to read Psalm 51 at this time of year. Some read it after Shaharit during the month of Elul. It also appears in the early morning Yom Kippur p’sukei dezimra.

Psalm 51 is popular in other religions, and has been set to music by composers for more than 500 years (click here for an exquisite example).

Wishing you Tizku Lesahnim Rabot and a Gemar Hatimah Tobah!