Chapter 39
David's prayer bewailing his suffering. But it is not suffering itself that pains him, rather he is saddened by its disturbing his Torah study. For man's days are few, "and if not now, when (will he study)?" for he may die, today or tomorrow. He therefore requests that his suffering be removed, to enable him to study Torah and acquire a place in the World to Come.
1For the Conductor, for yedutun, a psalm by David.
2I said that I would guard my ways from sinning with my tongue; I would guard my mouth with a muzzle, [even] while the wicked one is before me.
3I became mute with stillness, I was silent [even] from the good, though my pain was crippling.
4My heart grew hot within me, a fire blazed in my utterance, as I spoke with my tongue.
5O Lord, let me know my end and what is the measure of my days, that I may know when I will cease.
6Behold, like handbreadths You set my days; my lifetime is as naught before You. But all is futility, all mankind's existence, Selah.
7Only in darkness does man walk, seeking only futility; he amasses riches and knows not who will reap them.
8And now, what is my hope, my Lord? My longing is to You.
9Rescue me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of the degenerate.
10I am mute, I do not open my mouth, for You have caused [my suffering].
11Remove Your affliction from me; I am devastated by the attack of Your hand.
12In reproach for sin You chastened man; like a moth, You wore away that which is precious to him. All mankind is nothing but futility, forever.
13Hear my prayer, O Lord, listen to my cry; do not be silent to my tears, for I am a stranger with You, a sojourner like all my forefathers.
14Turn from me, that I may recover my strength, before I depart and I am no more.
Chapter 40
The psalmist speaks of the numerous wonders that God wrought for the Jewish people, asking: "Who can articulate His might? I would relate and speak of them, but they are too numerous to recount!" He created the world and split the sea for the sake of Israel, [yet] He desires no sacrifices, only that we listen to His voice.
1For the Conductor, a psalm by David.
2I put my hope in the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.
3He raised me from the turbulent pit, from the slimy mud, and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps.
4He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God; multitudes will see and fear, and will trust in the Lord.
5Fortunate is the man who has made the Lord his trust, and did not turn to the haughty, nor to those who stray after falsehood.
6You have done much, O You, Lord my God-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!
7You desired neither sacrifice nor meal-offering, but [obedient] ears You opened for me; You requested neither burnt-offering nor sin-offering.
8Then I said, "Behold, I come with a Scroll of the Book written for me."
9 I desire to fulfill Your will, my God; and Your Torah is in my innards.
10I proclaimed [Your] righteousness in a vast congregation; behold I will not restrain my lips-O Lord, You know!
11I 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.
12May You, Lord, not withhold Your mercies from me; may Your kindness and truth constantly guard me.
13For 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.
14May it please You, Lord, to save me; O Lord, hurry to my aid.
15Let those who seek my life, to end it, be shamed and humiliated together; let those who desire my harm retreat and be disgraced.
16Let those who say about me, "Aha! Aha!" be desolate, in return for their shaming [me].
17Let all those who seek You exult and rejoice in You; let those who love Your deliverance always say, "Be exalted, O Lord!”
18As for me, I am poor and needy; my Lord will think of me. You are my help and my rescuer; my God, do not delay!
Chapter 41
This psalm teaches many good character traits, and inspires one to be thoughtful and conscientious in giving charity-knowing to whom to give first. Fortunate is he who is thoughtful of the sick one, providing him with his needs.
1For the Conductor, a psalm by David.
2Fortunate is he who is thoughtful of the poor, [for] the Lord will save him on the day of evil.
3The 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.
4The Lord will support him on the bed of illness; You will turn him over in his bed all throughout his sickness.
5I said, "Lord, be gracious to me! Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You!”
6My foes say that evil [awaits] me: "When will he die, and his name perish?”
7And 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.
8Together 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.”
10Even my ally in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has raised his heel over me.
11But you, Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up, and I will repay them.
12With this I shall know that You desire me, when my enemies will not shout gleefully over me.
13And I, because of my integrity, You upheld me; You set me before You forever.
14Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, to all eternity, Amen and Amen.
Chapter 42
This psalm awakens the hearts of the Children of Israel who do not feel the immense ruin, loss, and bad fortune in their being exiled from their Father's table. Were they wise, they would appreciate their past good fortune in coming thrice yearly, with joy and great awe, to behold God during the festivals, free of adversary and harm. May God place mercy before us from now to eternity, Amen Selah.
1For the Conductor, a maskil by the sons of Korach.
2As the deer cries longingly for brooks of water, so my soul cries longingly for You, O God!
3My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and behold the countenance of God?
4My tears have been my bread day and night, when they say to me all day, "Where is your God?”
5These 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 God, amid the sound of rejoicing and thanksgiving, the celebrating multitude.
6Why are you downcast, my soul, and why do you wail within me? Hope to God, for I will yet thank Him for the deliverances of His countenance.
7My God! My soul is downcast upon me, because I remember You from the land of Jordan and Hermon's peaks, from Mount Mitzar.
8 Deep calls to deep at the roar of Your channels; all Your breakers and waves have swept over me.
9By day the Lord ordains His kindness, and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.
10I say to God, my rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in gloom under the oppression of the enemy?”
11Like a sword in my bones, my adversaries disgrace me, when they say to me all day, "Where is your God?”
12Why are you downcast, my soul, and why do you wail within me? Hope to God, for I will yet thank Him; He is my deliverance, [the light of] my countenance, and my God.
Chapter 43
A significant prayer concerning the magnitude of the troubles we have suffered at the hands of the impious nations. May it be God's will to send Moshiach and Elijah the Prophet, who will lead us to the Holy Temple to offer sacrifices as in days of old.
1Avenge me, O God, and champion my cause against an impious nation; rescue me from the man of deceit and iniquity.
2For You are the God of my strength; why have You abandoned me? Why must I walk in gloom under the oppression of the enemy?
3Send Your light and Your truth, they will guide me; they will bring me to Your holy mountain and to Your sanctuaries.
4Then I will come to the altar of God-to God, the joy of my delight-and praise You on the lyre, O God, my God.
5Why are you downcast, my soul, and why do you wail within me? Hope to God, for I will yet thank Him; He is my deliverance, [the light of] my countenance, and my God.
Tehillim Ohel Yoseph Yitzchok,
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