The Tanakh Podcast

What does a person do when society turns to violence, when law and order fall apart? Does one "run to the hills" or does one stay and have faith in God?

Is it blasphemy to challenge God in times of distress? In this chapter the author of Psalms challenges God with the question as to why the innocent suffer, and the butchers of history are not brought to justice? This is a question asked from the Israelites in Egypt to the works of Elie Weisel. "On Being" Interview with Elie Weisel is here Opening music: Leonard Cohen - You Want it Darker

A chapter of joy, of victory against our enemies, of the restoration of justice and order in the world, an almost messianic reality.

Is humankind insignificant and lowly, or just a little lower than God?

What does a person do when they are falsely accused, pursued for no fault of their own?

This chapter is the text that we use for Tachanun, in the rabbinic phraseology, "Nefilat Apayim - falling on one's face." As we shall see, this chapter tells a tale of intense dejection and sudden salvation.

Tehillim have fascinating and complex headings known as superscriptions. But what do they mean? Do they denote authorship, musical notation or historical context?

What does a person do when they are falsely accused? How do they cope with the emotional fallout? Our chapter divides into two sections (with two inclusios) v.1-4 prayer against those who defame v.5-9 - sleeping soundly due to trust in God

David is pursued into exile by his son in a mutiny, and he cries out to God. This psalm reassures the person in distress: "I lie down, and I sleep; I awake, for God supports me." Due to this verse, this chapter is included in the prayers before a person goes to sleep at night.

This "royalty psalm" underscores the intimate relationship between God and the king.