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Poetry and Prayer
Published by Meir Soloveichik
- Religion & Spirituality
- Judaism
Jews Christians, and many others have long turned to the biblical Book of Psalms in moments of joy and sorrow. In this daily podcast, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik guides listeners through all 150 chapters, exploring their poetry, meaning, and enduring place in the life of faith.
Listen on Apple PodcastsRecent episodes
- The Day of Jerusalem and Psalm 126 from Poetry and Prayer
6 min
A verse expressing longing for Jerusalem and a psalm describing the return to Zion together capture the emotional and spiritual range of Psalms. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 126 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 126 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 126 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.
- Psalm 150: The Orchestra That Is Us from Poetry and Prayer
4 min
The final psalm speaks more of instruments than of verbal song. There is a striking symbolism to be found therein. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 150 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 150 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 150 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.
- Psalm 149: A New Song from Poetry and Prayer
4 min
Why do the songs of the Psalms draw to a close by speaking of a "new song?" Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 149 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 149 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 149 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.
- Psalm 148: Praise of God and the Great Chain of Being from Poetry and Prayer
4 min
Psalm 148 describes all existence praising God—and the manner in which it does so is very interesting. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 148 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 148 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 148 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.
- Psalm 147: The God That Counts the Stars from Poetry and Prayer
5 min
An exquisite verse about the stars reveals the story of Abraham. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 147 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 147 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 147 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.
- Psalm 146: Polyphonic Music and the 146th Psalm from Poetry and Prayer
4 min
Many themes come together in one psalm as we come close to concluding this biblical book. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 146 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 146 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 146 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.
- Psalm 145: What Is the Most Famous Psalm? from Poetry and Prayer
6 min
Psalm 145 is very well known to traditional Jews. Why? Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 145 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 145 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 145 in Hebrew and English. Click here to listen to "Psalms in a Gulag and on a Gameshow." Click here to listen to "Clear as a Jew in Ashrei ." — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.
- Psalm 144: David's Thanksgiving from Poetry and Prayer
5 min
David gives gratitude to God for his victory in battle and for the prosperity of his kingdom. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 144 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 144 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 144 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.
- Psalm 143: God's Tzedek and the Human Being from Poetry and Prayer
5 min
A word central to biblical ethics is at the heart of this psalm. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 143 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 143 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 143 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.
- Psalm 142: David's Cave and Plato's Cave from Poetry and Prayer
5 min
Psalm 142 inspires us to contrast two very different texts about caves. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 142 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 142 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 142 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.
- Psalm 141: The Incense Offering and the Offering of One's Heart from Poetry and Prayer
5 min
A comparison between prayer and a rite in the Temple illuminates both. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 141 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 141 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 141 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.
- Psalm 140: The Sharpened Tongue from Poetry and Prayer
5 min
A verb in Psalm 140 has a parallel and a very different context in the sh'ma . Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 140 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 140 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 140 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.
- Psalm 139: The Almighty and Infinity from Poetry and Prayer
5 min
In Psalm 139, David ponders the omniscience and omnipresence of the Almighty. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 139 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 139 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 139 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.
- Psalm 138: The Strings and Heart of David from Poetry and Prayer
5 min
David speaks of praising God with a "whole heart." What does that mean? Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 138 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 138 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 138 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.
- Psalm 136: The Great Hallel and the Fifth Cup from Poetry and Prayer
6 min
Psalm 136 may play a special role in the Passover Seder. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 136 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 136 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 136 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.
- Psalm 135: David's Temple and Solomon's Temple from Poetry and Prayer
6 min
Psalm 135 references the different groups of people who will come to the Temple, joined in praise of God. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 135 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 135 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 135 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of "Poetry & Prayer" is generously sponsored by Andrew G. Kaplan. If you are interested in sponsoring an episode of "Poetry & Prayer," we invite you to join the Tikvah Ideas Circle. Visit tikvah.org/circle to learn more and join.
- Psalm 134: The Final Song of Ascent from Poetry and Prayer
4 min
A Hebrew phrase has opened the last 15 psalms. What does it mean? Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 134 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 134 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 134 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.
- Psalm 133: Brothers in Unity from Poetry and Prayer
6 min
How is the famous verse that opens Psalm 133 linked with the other verses contained in it? Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 133 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 133 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 133 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.
- Psalm 132: David's Search and David's Vision from Poetry and Prayer
5 min
Psalm 132 describes David's search for the site of the future Temple. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 132 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 132 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 132 in Hebrew and English. Click here to read "Look On Our Works, Ye Mighty" by Rabbi Soloveichik.
- Psalm 131: David, Aristotle, and the Great-Souled Man from Poetry and Prayer
5 min
Psalm 131's themes of humility and trust reflect the essence of David's spiritual life. Supplemental Materials : Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 131 in English. Click here to listen to a recitation of Psalm 131 in Hebrew. Click here to read Psalm 131 in Hebrew and English. — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman.