Poetry and Prayer

Jews Christians, and many others have long turned to the biblical Book of Psalms in moments of joy and sorrow. In this daily podcast, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik guides listeners through all 150 chapters, exploring their poetry, meaning, and enduring place in the life of faith.

Psalm 54: David Among the Judahites 02/04/2026

Psalm 54: David Among the Judahites A psalm speaks of David's loneliness, and his inner strength. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39991945

Psalm 53: The Repeated Psalm and the Two Names of God 02/03/2026

Psalm 53: The Repeated Psalm and the Two Names of God Psalm 53 is almost exactly identical to Psalm 14. Why then are its words repeated? Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39980305

Psalm 52: The Wormtongue of Tanakh 02/02/2026

Psalm 52: The Wormtongue of Tanakh A character from The Lord of the Rings reveals the destructive power of wicked speech, mirrored by a biblical figure who used words for evil ends. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39965935

Psalm 51: Rembrandt’s David and the Etching of a Psalm 02/01/2026

Psalm 51: Rembrandt’s David and the Etching of a Psalm An etching by Rembrandt van Rijn captures the essence of Psalm 51. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39951230

Psalm 50: George Washington and the Korban Todah 01/30/2026

Psalm 50: George Washington and the Korban Todah Judaism binds gratitude and repentance together, creating a path for a life well lived. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39934780

Psalm 49: Of Tolstoy and Tehillim 01/29/2026

Psalm 49: Of Tolstoy and Tehillim A short story by Tolstoy allows us to better appreciate the message at the heart of the psalm. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39922065

Psalm 48: The Secretary of State Cites the Psalms 01/28/2026

Psalm 48: The Secretary of State Cites the Psalms William Seward's citation of this psalm speaks to the secret of Jewish endurance. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39909055

Psalm 47: The International Shofar 01/27/2026

Psalm 47: The International Shofar The shofar has both a particularistic and universal meaning. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39895355

Psalm 46: Assyria and Apocalypse 01/26/2026

Psalm 46: Assyria and Apocalypse One of the greatest miracles in Jewish history may be the subject of this psalm. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39878255

Psalm 45: The Royal Marriage 01/25/2026

Psalm 45: The Royal Marriage Psalm 45 highlights the distinction between the Jewish and pagan perspectives on royalty. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39866755

Psalm 44—Part 2: God’s Prediction and Presence 01/23/2026

Psalm 44—Part 2: God’s Prediction and Presence The second half of Psalm 44 cries out to God in the midst of catastrophe but still finds a way to sustain faith. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39848915

Psalm 44—Part 1: A Psalm of Tragedy and Faith 01/22/2026

Psalm 44—Part 1: A Psalm of Tragedy and Faith Psalm 44 describes a period devoid of the miracles of the past—but therein we discover another miracle. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39824900

Psalm 43: The Spiritual Soliloquy 01/21/2026

Psalm 43: The Spiritual Soliloquy This exquisite psalm gives us a one-sentence soliloquy. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of “Poetry and Prayer” is generously sponsored by Ellen Cogen Lipton in memory of her mother Beverly Cogen. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39810905

Psalm 42: The Shocking Sons of Korach 01/20/2026

Psalm 42: The Shocking Sons of Korach Why do the sons of Korach, an adversary of Moses, merit their own psalm? Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of “Poetry and Prayer” is generously sponsored by Elia and Anna Roumani. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39796965

Psalm 41: Moses, David, and the Five Books 01/19/2026

Psalm 41: Moses, David, and the Five Books The sages note a comparison between Moses and David, the Torah and Tehillim. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of “Poetry and Prayer” is generously sponsored by Mark Perkins and Eva Marcuschamer. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39782095

Psalm 40: Inscribed on Our Souls 01/18/2026

Psalm 40: Inscribed on Our Souls David describes what it means for Scripture to be inscribed on our soul. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of “Poetry and Prayer” is generously sponsored by Mark Perkins and Eva Marcuschamer. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39775390

Psalm 39: The Levite That Sang David's Songs 01/16/2026

Psalm 39: The Levite That Sang David's Songs This song may be written for a specific Levite. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39757315

The Reminder Psalm 01/15/2026

The Reminder Psalm A mysterious opening of the psalm seems to describe it as a "reminder." Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of Poetry and Prayer is generously sponsored by Jean & Roger Harris in Memory of Gene & Chieko Campaiola. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39747980

Seeing and a Call to Action 01/14/2026

Seeing and a Call to Action A much-sung verse can be read in two ways. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of Poetry and Prayer is generously sponsored by Arlene & Steve Smith in honor of our grandson, נְתַנְאֵל (Nate). /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39727600

The Anav and the Nature of Humility 01/13/2026

The Anav and the Nature of Humility The meaning of humility lies at the heart of a famous phrase in this psalm. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of Poetry and Prayer is generously sponsored by Arlene & Steve Smith in honor of their children. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39718350

True Enlightenment in the Midst of Darkness 01/12/2026

True Enlightenment in the Midst of Darkness A psalm’s central verse is about genuine moral enlightenment. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of Poetry and Prayer is generously sponsored by Arlene & Steve Smith in honor of their parents. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39695540

Psalm 35: The Psalm That United the Continental Congress 01/11/2026

Psalm 35: The Psalm That United the Continental Congress Psalm 35 appears at an important moment in American history. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of "Poetry and Prayer" is generously sponsored by Mike Abram in honor of Vivian Garfein Abram and in memory of the late Rachel Fisher Abram. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39687250

Psalm 34: The Psalm of the Antic Disposition 01/09/2026

Psalm 34: The Psalm of the Antic Disposition David feigns madness and composes a psalm. What does this teach us? Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of “Poetry and Prayer” is generously sponsored by Mark Bray in honor of his mother, Valerie Bray. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39672050

Psalm 33: The Purpose of Praise 01/08/2026

Psalm 33: The Purpose of Praise A reflection by C.S. Lewis allows us to better appreciate psalms of praise. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of "Poetry and Prayer" is generously sponsored by Robert and Ilana Saposh. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39658085

Psalm 32: The Psalm of the Imperfect King 01/07/2026

Psalm 32: The Psalm of the Imperfect King David reveals his greatness through his imperfections. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of "Poetry and Prayer" is generously sponsored by Robert and Ilana Saposh. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39644245

Psalm 31: The Heart of the Fugitive King 01/06/2026

Psalm 31: The Heart of the Fugitive King David as fugitive is not the main image we have of this king in our imagination, but it is central to his story. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of "Poetry and Prayer" is generously sponsored by Drs. Ellen and Jay Steinberg. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39625915

Psalm 30: Whose House Is It? 01/05/2026

Psalm 30: Whose House Is It? An alternative grammatical reading of Psalm 30 calls attention to David’s true legacy. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of "Poetry and Prayer" is generously sponsored by Drs. Ellen and Jay Steinberg. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39613190

Psalm 29: The Voice of God and the Beauty of Holiness 01/04/2026

Psalm 29: The Voice of God and the Beauty of Holiness The psalm sung when the Torah is returned to the ark reflects the way in which Jews encounter God. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of "Poetry and Prayer" is generously sponsored by Drs. Ellen and Jay Steinberg. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39604000

Psalm 28: A Psalm and a Famous Song 01/02/2026

Psalm 28: A Psalm and a Famous Song Psalm 28 finds David praying for personal salvation, but he can only do so as a member of the covenantal people. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39589890

Psalm 27: Two Psalms in One 01/01/2026

Psalm 27: Two Psalms in One The contrasting moods of Psalm 27 capture the dual religious experiences of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of "Poetry and Prayer" is generously sponsored by Nancy & Joel Hart. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39583210

Poetry and Prayer

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