The book of Tehillim holds a central place in Jewish tradition as a source of comfort and spiritual expression, particularly during times of distress or illness. These verses serve as a direct communication, encompassing the full range of human experience from despair to joyous praise. When a loved one is unwell, reciting specific chapters of Tehillim is a widely practiced custom. This devotional act is intended to create a merit for healing and focuses the reciter’s profound desire for the sick person’s recovery.
Standard Psalms for Healing
A fixed collection of chapters is traditionally recited when seeking divine mercy and recovery for the sick. While various traditions exist, a core, shorter selection is often used to begin the practice. This foundational group includes Psalms 20, 121, 130, and 142, each offering a distinct sentiment appropriate for a time of trouble.
Psalm 20 is a plea for help and acceptance of prayer. Psalm 121, known as a “Song of Ascents,” expresses confidence in the Almighty’s constant protection, declaring that the Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps. Psalm 130, a prayer “Out of the Depths,” voices a soul’s yearning for redemption and forgiveness. Psalm 142, a prayer of David when he was in the cave, is a cry for refuge.
Many communities follow a more comprehensive list that spans numerous chapters, sometimes totaling 36 Psalms, including those detailing themes of suffering, repentance, and hope, such as Psalms 6, 30, and 38. A common practice is to conclude the recitation with the last seven chapters of Tehillim, Psalms 144 through 150. This concluding set shifts the tone entirely, moving from supplication and personal distress to universal praise and thanksgiving, emphasizing the anticipated joy of recovery.
Customizing Recitation with Name and Age
Traditional practice encourages personalizing the recitation of Psalms. Two primary methods are used to tailor the selection, linking the prayer directly to the sick person’s identity and current stage of life.
Customizing by Age
One method involves using the sick person’s current age to determine a corresponding Psalm chapter. The custom dictates reciting the Psalm number equivalent to the number of years the person has lived. For example, a person in their 46th year of life would have Psalm 46 recited on their behalf. It is also traditional to recite the subsequent chapter, corresponding to the year they are praying to enter.
Customizing by Name
The second method involves using the Hebrew letters of the sick person’s Hebrew name. This is accomplished by turning to Psalm 119, which is structured as an acrostic with 22 sections, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. For each letter in the individual’s Hebrew name, the reciter says the eight verses of the corresponding section in Psalm 119. For instance, if the name begins with the letter Mem, the section of eight verses beginning with Mem is recited.
The Concluding Petition
The recitation of Tehillim chapters is a powerful preparation for the direct petition that follows. The purpose of reciting these verses is to focus the mind and heart, creating a state of sincere intention, or Kavanah, before making a request. This concept of Kavanah emphasizes that the words must be accompanied by a deep, heartfelt desire for the recovery of the person.
The Psalms are seen as a way to elevate the spiritual merit of the subsequent request, making the formal prayer more effective. Once the selected Tehillim chapters are completed, the reciter traditionally concludes with a specific prayer for the sick, such as the Mi Shebeirach. This prayer is a direct, personalized request for a complete healing, known as refuah shleimah. The Mi Shebeirach explicitly mentions the sick person’s Hebrew name and their mother’s name, asking for a renewal of both body and spirit.