Our chapter is a historical review, expressing God's power kindness and forbearance, and Israel's waywardness and non-adherence to God's covenant. But why do we tell history? Is this merely about religious preaching? We will speak about a political agenda woven into the start and end of the chapter.

What do we remember? What do we forget? The first half of this chapter is about Exile and God's abandonment of Israel. The second half of the mizmor is about victory, redemption and Divine salvation. Which is the dominant memory? Music. Shotei Hanevua - Kol Galgal (see verse 19)

How do we effectively work towards world peace? How do we encourage society away from resorting to self-interest, violence and ugly opportunism, and more to altruism, justice and integrity? Our chapter describes God achieving the ideal regime, the perfect world order. But it arrives only as a result of a long process , only after exerting a signifi…

This chapter speaks in God's name, promising destruction to the evil, vain and violent elements in the world.

This Psalm reflacts the dismay and bewilderment of the Exile and Temple's destruction: - God! - What about the covenant? - God! - Can't You hear them blaspheming and mocking You? - God! - Have You abandoned Your people? - God! - Where is the power of Creation, of the Exodus? This is a bold, protest Psalm that expresses paradoxically deep faith in t…

Why do the evil prosper? Why is the world so unfair? That is the question that throws Assaf into theological turmoil. And yet, a visit to the Mikdash seems to have offered him a radically different perspective!

What is the key to successful government?What is the most important agenda item for a Jewish national leader?

David looks back on his life and fears for the future. What can he offer at this stage of his life? What is occupying his mind?

Psalm 70 is a repeat of Psalm 40. It seems that this text was particularly popular. Why is repeated? And what is its particularly optimistic message?

Today we examine the notion of "Et Ratzon" - Is there a special moment of grace, a "time of goodwill", in which to pray? Music Intro Close

With a dazzling range of references, and 15 words that appear nowhere else in Tanakh, this chapter has mystified commentators.

Seven verse, 49 words - a vision of global unity in which justice is manifest on earth, and God showers humanity with prosperity and blessing. This psalm is like an extended "Birkhat Kohanim" A utopian vision? - possibly! Opening music - Etti Ankri - Yoducha

This psalm calls upon the world to acclaim God for our survival through both miracles and through the fires and waters of persecution.

This chapter is seen as a song of praise, after a drought, when the rain falls, and people can breath a sigh of relief knowing that their crops will sprout and grow, and their herds will be fed. We also focus upon the universal dimension of this song - referring to "all flesh".

"They sharpen their tongues like swords; they aim their arrows with cruel words to shoot the innocent from a hidden place." Today we the arrow as a metaphor for speech.

One of the sublime expressions of craving for God.

God is my salvation. But the world is full of injustice, violence and treachery: "God spoke one thing; I heard two!" Sometimes it is hard to discern the message of God in our confusing world.

David calls to God from a distance - "from the ends of the earth", but he years for closeness, "under God's wing." Even as king, he sees himself as in God's presence.

Here we find David praying for the success of his armed forces after a particularly surprising and upsetting defeat. His prayer is raw and bold, it is passionate and unrestrained.

David is surrounded. Wild dogs roam the streets. But God is David's strength and refuge.

Here David speaks about corrupt figures in positions of power and authority, who pretend to speak for and implement the law, but are supporting and sustaining a corrupt regime, who are a threat to truth. Using some lovely metaphors from the animal kingdom, he asks God to take them down and to restore societal harmony and integrity.…

As David escapes from King Saul, he expresses his desire to sing and produce music to praise God. Is this typical behaviour for a fugitive on the run? How do we piece together the puzzle of David's persona, and the conflicting elements within his character?

Today we speak about the power of tears

The city contains violence and conspiracy. The wilderness is a refuge. We discuss this as a trans-biblical theme.

David feels utterly abandoned, betrayed, lonely. He turns to God. What is the nature, the texture of this type of faith? How does it manifest itself?

The evildoers says "There is no God!" If we feel that there is no comeuppance, no consequences, no judge and no law, then humans are capable of the most dastardly things, jeopardizing our collective harmony.

This chapter attacks people whose tongues are like razors, cutting down the innocent, causing devastation, under the guise that they are serving the collective good.

King David demonstrates the art of prayer after his devastating sin, the mistake of his life. This Psalm contains some of the most sublime expressions in prayer of remorse, and request for renewal, forgiveness and divine acceptance.

God assails the hypocrisy of those who live unscrupulous lives and yet bring sacrifices, as if that will bring them favor with God.

Our chapter meditates upon the end of life and what is important to achieve in this world. Music. George Michael - They won't go where I Go Zusha - The World to Come

Chapter 48 is the special psalm recited every Monday, and is a hymn to the uniqueness of Jerusalem.,

This chapter is recited 7 times before the Shofar is sounded. What does it mean?

With its famous chorus line that we recite at Havdallah, this chapter celebrates God as the protector of His holy city and His nation.

This is a coronation Psalm, and, it would seem, a royal wedding. But who is the king? And who is his bride?

This chapter has three segments: 1. How God always fought the battles of the Jewish People, He was their strength, pride and protection. 2. But now God has abandoned us to defeat, dispersion, derision and slaughter. 3. But Israel has retained their loyalty to God. God! Why have you abandoned us?

Psalm 42-49 are all Psalms of the Bnei Korach. What is their story? Who is this group?

"As the deer craves streams of water, so my soul craves for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." Who is thirsting for God? Why? Where is he? What is the back-story?

God helps those who help others!

When one is saved by God, how does one respond? Sing God's praises? offer sacrifices? Or dedicate our lives and our lifestyles to God's laws and ideals? That is the topic of our chapter.

This is a chapter of terrible suffering. What is the point of the short lifespan of our lives if it is filled with pain and torment. That is the question asked by our chapter.

This chapter presents a sense of guilt and remorse for (an unidentified) sin. And yet, the sinner is suffering at the hands of violent enemies. Should past mistakes justify the violence perpetrated against him?? Should one perennially be a victim because one has erred? Or might one appeal to God to appreciate ultimately who is on teh side of good, …

Our alphabetical Psalm is a meditation on divine justice - that evil will wane and disappear, and the righteous "will inherit the earth". "Don't envy the evil!" it preaches. In the long term, the virtuous will endure and prevail.

There is good and bad. And our heart has to make a choice.

This is a Psalm in 3 stanzas. David is being pursued, betrayed by his friends, and falsely accused. Each segment ends in words of praise to God. One of these features in our prayer "Nishmat" and reads "All my bones say - L-rd, who is like You?" Opening Music. Joey Weisenberg - Nishat Kol ChaiClosing Music: Hanan Ben Ari. Kol Atzmotai (Habad Niggun)…

This chapter praises God for always assisting teh righteous and saving them from their pursuers and enemies. In the centre of the chapter though, David speaks of "guard your tongue from evil and your lips from falsehood - seek peace and pursue it!" How does this fit in?

Justice rather than war, kindness rather than power, truth, the creativity of language, trust - this is the world-order that is called "yashar" - straight, or upstanding. It is for these values that God created His world.

How do we make amends for our crimes and misdemeanours? How do we deal with guilt and remorse?

This is a chapter of trust and faith in God in the face of violence, accusation and humiliation which the person of faith experiences. The statement here is one of absolute rock-steady reliance on God. For the Habad Niggun - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQlvERRARWg&ab_channel=%D7%94%D7%A8%D7%91%D7%99%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%95%D7%91%D7%90%D7%95%D7%…

This is a chapter we say daily, but it has an unusual flow of ideas - just when we think we are out of trouble, the chapter plunges back into despair! Why? And what does this have to do with the "Dedication of the House"?

God's name appears 18 times in this chapter.The word for "sound" is repeated seven times.Does the power of God only manifest itself through noise?