a moment of jewish textual immersion
Oct. 31st, 2010 02:28 pmSo (in Lubavitch circles at least) it's customary to recite the tehillim (psalm) that corresponds to your age. Due to some numerical/counting thing I don't really get, you actually recite the psalm whose number is one year above your current age. So, I got 26 (sticking with the "lord" g-d-language of my translation even though I don't like it):
Judge me, O Lord, for in my innocence I have walked, and in the Lord I have trusted-- I shall not falter.
Try me, O Lord, and test me; refine my mind and heart.
For Your kindness is before my eyes, and I have walked constantly in Your truth.
I did not sit with men of falsehood, and with hypocrites I will not mingle.
I detested the company of evildoers, and with the wicked I will not sit.
I wash my hands in purity and circle Your altar, O Lord,
to give voice to thanks, and to recount all Your wonders.
I love the shelter of Your House, O Lord, and the place where Your glory resides.
Gather not in my soul with sinners, nor my life with men of bloodshed,
In whose hands are schemes, and whose right hand is filled with bribes.
But I walk in my innocence; redeem me and show me favor.
My foot stands on level ground; in assemblies I will bless the Lord.
I think it's actually quite beautiful, and has a strange and wonderful resonance with the pasuk (verse) I picked at SImchat Torah which is Exodus 30:17:
Adonai spoke to Moses, saying: Make a laver of copper and stand of copper for it, for washing and place it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar.
Judge me, O Lord, for in my innocence I have walked, and in the Lord I have trusted-- I shall not falter.
Try me, O Lord, and test me; refine my mind and heart.
For Your kindness is before my eyes, and I have walked constantly in Your truth.
I did not sit with men of falsehood, and with hypocrites I will not mingle.
I detested the company of evildoers, and with the wicked I will not sit.
I wash my hands in purity and circle Your altar, O Lord,
to give voice to thanks, and to recount all Your wonders.
I love the shelter of Your House, O Lord, and the place where Your glory resides.
Gather not in my soul with sinners, nor my life with men of bloodshed,
In whose hands are schemes, and whose right hand is filled with bribes.
But I walk in my innocence; redeem me and show me favor.
My foot stands on level ground; in assemblies I will bless the Lord.
I think it's actually quite beautiful, and has a strange and wonderful resonance with the pasuk (verse) I picked at SImchat Torah which is Exodus 30:17:
Adonai spoke to Moses, saying: Make a laver of copper and stand of copper for it, for washing and place it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar.