Poetry and Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms

A psalm expressing pain is linked to an individual described as incredibly wise.

The miraculous nature of Jerusalem and Jewish history is the subject of this psalm.

David gives us a reflection on addressing fear in Psalm 86.

Themes of truth, love, righteousness, and peace are all joined in this psalm's description of repentance and forgiveness.

A psalm used by many Jews to introduce the afternoon prayer reveals what prayer in a synagogue means to Jewish tradition.

Psalm 83 seems to be linked to a righteous king many have forgotten. 

A speech by Justice Scalia, whose birthday was yesterday, relates to the thesis of this Psalm.

The joining of Rosh Hashanah and the new moon is meant to deepen our understanding of time.

By evoking the intimacy of spousal love, Psalm 80 conveys the Israelites' profound emotional yearning for the God of Jerusalem.

On Passover, Psalm 79 is referenced, along with many other psalms, revealing the profound nature of the evening.

In Psalm 78, David’s background as a shepherd becomes the key to understanding his kingship.

Psalm 78 describes the many miracles of the Exodus, including one sublime moment during the splitting of the sea.

As Psalm 78 continues, it describes one moment that changed Jewish history, which is meant to teach us about gratitude today.

Psalm 78 describes the story of the Israelites from the Exodus to the Davidic monarchy.

A psalm expresses anguish over exile and then exultantly describes the Exodus. What is the link between the psalm's two parts?

Purim’s date reveals what we are truly celebrating—and why a remarkable event seemingly described in this psalm never became a holiday.

The themes of exile and salvation are bound together in a tradition regarding the reading of the Megillah—and in these two psalms of Asaf.

A story about Rome and Jerusalem helps us ponder this psalm of Asaf.

In Psalm 72, we find a father preparing for his son to be his heir.

Psalm 71 seems to feature an aging David, reflecting on God’s salvation throughout his life.

Translations of Psalm 70 give us an interesting rendering of an exclamation.

The conclusion of Psalm 69 reminds us of a relatively unknown and inspiring blessing that has been pronounced in our time.

Psalms 68 and 69 come together to reveal two themes in Jewish history.

The conclusion of Psalm 68 has one fascinating plural word that may point to the unique nature of Jerusalem.

An obvious reference to Moses' description of the Ark begins the psalm. How are we to understand what follows?

Psalm 67 builds on the priestly blessings in a striking way.

Psalm 66 can be read as reflecting on the wonder of being part of the Jewish story.

In this psalm, David tells us how we can hear nature praising God, inspiring us to praise the Almighty.

Psalm 64 highlights the potential of words to do great good and great harm.

Winston Churchill's essay on Moses helps us appreciate a psalm that David composed in the desert.