| The Book of Psalms ('tehillim' in Hebrew, meaning | | | | (daughter of) for a woman is placed between the |
| 'praise') consists of 150 songs which highlight the | | | | person and their mother's name; ie. Sara bat |
| greatness of G-d. The Book of Psalms was | | | | Rivkah or Yosef ben Rivkah. If the person being |
| thought by many to be attributed to King David, | | | | prayed for is not Jewish then we use their English |
| although many of them are now are now | | | | name and 'son/daughter of' and then say their |
| credited to earlier authors, including Moses. King | | | | father's name (as non Jewish descent is via the |
| David appears to have drawn on other sources | | | | father). |
| and incorporated them within his work to form a | | | | For the conductor, a song of David. |
| unique and inspiring selection of verses. | | | | May the Lord answer you on a day of distress; |
| The recitation of tehillim is common among both | | | | may the name of the G-d of Jacob fortify you. |
| Christians and Jews. They can be recited | | | | May He send your aid from His sanctuary, and |
| collectively or individually and are read either as a | | | | may He support you from Zion. |
| form of thanksgiving or a request for help. | | | | May He remember all your meal offerings and |
| Many psalms begin with a description of despair or | | | | may He accept your fat burnt offerings forever. |
| a cry for help and then conclude with hope and | | | | May He give you as your heart [desires], and |
| joy. Their longevity may be due to the fact that | | | | may He fulfill all your counsel. |
| they describe situations which are still applicable | | | | Let us sing praises for your salvation, and let us |
| today and which therefore continue to inspire and | | | | assemble in the name of our G-d; may the Lord |
| help us. The recitation of psalms provides comfort | | | | fulfill all your requests. |
| to many and arouses a feeling of wellbeing and | | | | Now I know that the Lord saved His anointed; He |
| spiritual fulfillment in those who incorporate them | | | | answered him from His holy heavens; with the |
| into their prayers. | | | | mighty acts of salvation from His right hand. |
| The Book of Psalms is divided into five parts, | | | | These trust in chariots and these in horses, but |
| corresponding to the Five Books of Moses. These | | | | we-we mention the name of the Lord our G-d. |
| five parts are then further subdivided into | | | | They kneel and fall, but we rise and gain strength. |
| sections, to be read by Jews each day. There is | | | | O Lord, save [us]; may the King answer us on |
| set rota of tehillim to be said on each day of the | | | | the day we call. |
| Hebrew Month. Psalms are also incorporated into | | | | Another tradition is to recite daily the chapter that |
| the standard daily prayers and festival services. | | | | corresponds to the year of your life. For example |
| In Israel and in religious communities around the | | | | a 30 year old should recite Chapter 31 as they |
| world, it is a common sight to see people reciting | | | | are in their 31st year. Another custom is to recite |
| psalms during their day to day lives, particularly | | | | a verse beginning and ending with the same |
| whilst traveling. It is traditional to read tehillim | | | | letters as one's name each day. Likewise, when |
| when a person is sick, hoping for children, trying | | | | praying for a sick person, in addition to Chapter |
| to find a spouse or has any kind of problem. | | | | 20, some also recite verses of Tehillim that begin |
| They are also read at the happiest and saddest | | | | with the same letter as their name. |
| occasions; during a marriage and following a death. | | | | Psalms are a popular and cherished form of |
| It is believed that psalms are an effective form | | | | prayer which give comfort to many. The range |
| of prayer that can bring peace and healing for | | | | of events described encapsulate the human |
| those at critical points in their lives but which can | | | | experience, past and present and are therefore |
| also to bring comfort to the souls of the | | | | something which is relevant to our lives today. |
| deceased. | | | | The role and sanctity of G-d within all of these |
| The most popular chapter to be read, especially in | | | | situations underlines the very nature of our |
| cases of danger or illness, is Chapter 20. This is | | | | relationship with G-d. They underpin the centrality |
| relatively short, and can be read for an entire list | | | | of G-d within our lives and are a vehicle to |
| of people, if required. The person reciting the | | | | communicate both our needs, anguish, faith and |
| psalm would add the name of the person or | | | | appreciation. |
| people they are praying for. Their Hebrew name | | | | Their incorporation into our daily prayers, as well |
| is used, but unusually it is partnered with their | | | | as the allocation of specific psalms for any given |
| mother's Hebrew name and not their Father's. | | | | situation, give them a unique place and a special |
| The word "ben" (son of) for a man or "bat" | | | | affection in our daily lives. |