Psalm 23 is easily the most well-known of King David’s psalms, and its words have comforted us for thousands of years.  It’s so well known, in fact, you could even say it “went viral” long before there was an internet!

People around the world – Jew and non-Jew alike – have grown up reciting, singing, and memorizing Psalm 23 in their native languages, and turn to it whenever their souls need uplifting.  Countless treatises have argued over its imagery and symbols, and sought to uncover the nuances of its words.  But, in the end, its effect on the human heart is indisputable – whether in heart-break or contentment, this particular Psalm has the ability to make us aware of the very real, visceral connection we have with our Creator, the Source of all things.

Traditionally, Psalm 23 is sung by Jews on the Shabbath day, and is also recited at Jewish funerals.  Though we non-Jews have rarely, if ever, heard the original Hebrew lyrics as penned by King David, this sublime Hebrew poem is an easy song for Noahides to learn and add to our personal prayers.

The following video is Psalm 23 sung in the original Hebrew using a traditional Ashkenazi tune.  Hopefully, it can help you learn Psalm 23 in Hebrew, so you can add it to your regular prayers.

We have captioned the video in English to match the parts being sung, so you can understand what is being said as you follow along.  If you know Psalm 23 melodies from other traditions (Sefardi, Teimani, etc.) please feel free to record it over this video and repost as a video reply.  Or, feel free to caption this video in another language and repost.

Here is a link to the original Hebrew with parallel English translation – http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt2623.htm

Peace

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Abby Sookraj

Abby lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband, Jacob, where she spends her days working as a paralegal and her nights working in her lovely garden. She stumbled upon the idea of being a Noahide on the Jews for Judaism website, long ago, and now lives her life as the Almighty requires, striving "to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with HaShem" (Micah 6:8).

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