…In illness and in strife, in triumph and in success, the Jew opens his Book of Psalms and lets David become the harp upon which his own emotions sing or weep. Small wonder that when the Chofetz Chaim, as an old man, was presented with his mother’s ancient Book of Psalms, its pages swollen with her lifetime of tears, he was overcome with emotion. Who can assess the worth of the little Book that has been the chariot bearing countless tears to the Heavenly Throne…
From the Overview to Kesuvim: Tehillim by Rabbi Nosson Scherman
Who, indeed, can assess what Tehillim means to us? It’s the lifesaver thrown to us when we’re drowning in troubles; the cavalry coming over the mountain to rescue us when all seems lost. It’s the Hatzalah paramedic, the wise and sympathetic therapist, the defibrillator that helps heal our beating, broken hearts.
Leaving the metaphors behind: Tehillim is David HaMelech’s gift to us, written in his times of sadness and trouble and joy so that we could find ourselves in his words in our times of sadness and trouble and joy.
Tehillim is a masterpiece of praise of, and faith in, Hashem. It declares with its every word that nothing is random, and that everything comes from a loving and all-wise Source. And like every masterpiece, the more we understand it, the more we can appreciate its overwhelming beauty. Kevusim: Tehillim gives us powerful tools to help us understand those beloved words so they will be even more meaningful.
This volume features a readable and graceful English translation that brings the words to life. Its English-language commentary is culled from dozens of sources, both classic and contemporary, and includes historical background as well. The volume also includes newly typeset Hebrew commentaries of Rashi, Radak, and Metzudos, in their entirety. Finally, such beautiful songs of praise deserve a beautiful volume: Kesuvim: Tehillim is printed on lightweight, opaque, acid-free paper with reinforced binding, and has gilded page heads and a ribbon place-marker.
Kesuvim: Tehillim allows us to appreciate and understand David HaMelech’s gift to us on a whole new and wonderful level.
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