Tehillim

“...The chapters of Tehillim break through all barriers as they soar aloft… uninterrupted. They prostrate themselves before the Master of the Universe, bringing results with kindness and mercy.”
— Tzemach Tzedek Hayom Yom, 24 Shevat

Welcome to Tehillim

For thousands of years, Jews have been reciting Tehillim as a supplication for Divine mercy, blessing and protection.

Tehillim (Psalms) literally means “praise.” The Book of Tehillim is one of the 24 books of Tanach, the Holy Scripture, and was compiled and authored by King David in praise of G-d. The book of Tehillim contains 150 chapters.

Make the Most of Your Tehillim

Tehillim is recited at the conclusion of morning prayers. The book of Tehillim is divided into daily sections and, when recited consistently, the entire book is completed on the last day of each Jewish month. In months that have only 29 days, the 29th and 30th portions are combined on the last day.
If you can’t get to Tehillim in the morning, you can recite it at any time during the day.

Tehillim In Hebrew

You might have noticed that unlike the other sections in your Chayenu, Tehillim includes only the original text with no translation. This is because Tehillim is typically recited in the original Hebrew, even if one does not understand the meaning of the words.

Seems strange? There’s a good reason for it.

In Psalms 148:1, we read the following: “Hallelu es Hashem min hashamayim—Praise G-d from the heavens.”

The Magid of Mezritch explains that the word “Es—From the” is spelled with an alef and a taf, which are the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Thus, the verse can be interpreted as instructions to Praise G-d with all the letters of the Alef-Bet, for the letters of the Torah, which is the “Divine utterance,” contain the energy of the world (Magid Devarav L’Yaakov, par. 71).

Reap the Benefits of Tehillim

One who is accustomed to reciting Psalms pushes away many types of calamities and afflictions, from himself, his household, his family and his generation. He brings down upon himself and all of them all types of divine influence and blessing, and much success.
— Chida, Introduction to Yosef Tehillos, 12

Whoever says Psalms every day it is as if he has fulfilled [his obligation of] the entire Torah and he merits to be [positioned] by G-d’s glorious throne.
— Chida, introduction to Yosef Tehillos, 2 - 3, in the name of Rabbeinu Efraim

If you crave to be connected to G-d, then be connected with the book of Psalms.
— Shaloh, vol.3, Inyan Tefillah V’Krias Hatorah, 21d

Listen, Chasidim, and all Jews who await the coming of Moshiach!
I have instructed to recite a portion of Tehillim as divided by the days of the month in all Chasidic synagogues after morning prayers each day, including Shabbos.
— Handwritten directive by the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe

Practice of the Sages, Throughout the Ages

We find the practice of dividing Tehillim into days of the month as early as the 14th century, when it was first done by Rabbeinu Menachem ben Zorach.
— Tzeidah Laderech, 122b

Rabbi Yeshaya Horowitz (The Shaloh) writes, “One who wants to be connected to G-d should join me in saying a bit of Tehillim daily, as divided into daily portions, to be completed each month.”
— Shaloh, vol.3, Inyan Tefillah V’Krias Hatorah, 21d

It was a tradition of all of the Chabad rebbes, beginning with the Alter Rebbe, Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, to recite Tehillim daily and to complete the entire book each month.
— Kovetz Michtavim [addendum to Tehillim], p. 200