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 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

Psalm 26: A Friend in Deed 12/31/2025

Psalm 26: A Friend in Deed Psalm 26 emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with friends who inspire righteous actions. 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/39574850

Psalm 25: An Aleph, Bet Psalm 12/30/2025

Psalm 25: An Aleph, Bet Psalm A pangrammatic psalm uses the power of the Hebrew alphabet to merge love, faith, and pleading into one prayer. 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/39564905

Psalm 24: The God of the World and the Mountain of God 12/29/2025

Psalm 24: The God of the World and the Mountain of God Psalm 24 beautifully captures the complexity of the Judaic vision. 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 David Glassberg in memory of Shirley and Jerry Glassberg. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39552725

Psalm 23: Yossi Hershkovitz and the 23rd Song 12/28/2025

Psalm 23: Yossi Hershkovitz and the 23rd Song A profoundly moving story teaches us about the faith at the heart of the most famous 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 Oleg and Irina Biller in memory of Rosa Biller. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39545455

Psalm 22: Night and Dawn 12/26/2025

Psalm 22: Night and Dawn Psalm 22 promises redemption even amid the darkest of times. 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/39536490

Psalm 21: The Golden Crown of David 12/25/2025

Psalm 21: The Golden Crown of David We can distinguish David from literary figures who also spoke of a “golden crown.” 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 Lauren and Marc Shapiro in memory of Edith and David Sobel z"l. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39533195

Psalm 20: Omer Shem Tov and the Psalm of War 12/24/2025

Psalm 20: Omer Shem Tov and the Psalm of War A hostage's story is bound up with Psalm 20 in a wondrous way. 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/39527610

Psalm 19: C.S. Lewis and the Sweetness of the Law 12/23/2025

Psalm 19: C.S. Lewis and the Sweetness of the Law While God can be found in nature, it is the laws of the Bible that allow humanity to have a relationship with Him. 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/39515915

Psalm 18—Part 3: You Say "Migdol," I Say "Magdil" 12/22/2025

Psalm 18—Part 3: You Say "Migdol," I Say "Magdil" David's psalm of salvation describes the defeat of evil. Supplemental Materials: C — "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/39494965

Psalm 18—Part 2: Subject and Object in Statesmanship and Salvation 12/21/2025

Psalm 18—Part 2: Subject and Object in Statesmanship and Salvation David describes himself as both subject and object in his psalm of salvation. Supplemental Materials: C . — "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/39484140

Psalm 18—Part 1: David's Song and Stanley Spyler 12/19/2025

Psalm 18—Part 1: David's Song and Stanley Spyler In Psalm 18 David seeks to inspire his listeners throughout Jewish history. 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/39466070

Psalm 17: The Bedtime Psalm 12/18/2025

Psalm 17: The Bedtime Psalm David's psalm can be seen as a description of his confronting fears in the midst of the night. Supplemental Materials: C "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of "Poetry & Prayer" is generously sponsored by Luna and Jonathan Zemmol and family. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39452240

Psalm 16: Truman’s Torah and the Right Hand of David 12/17/2025

Psalm 16: Truman’s Torah and the Right Hand of David The rabbis see a reference to a royal Torah scroll in this psalm of gratitude. Supplemental Materials: C — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of "Poetry & Prayer" is generously sponsored by Luna and Jonathan Zemmol and family. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39435000

Psalm 15: A Funeral Psalm About Life 12/16/2025

Psalm 15: A Funeral Psalm About Life A psalm said at a funeral teaches us a great deal about life. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of "Poetry & Prayer" is generously sponsored by Luna and Jonathan Zemmol and family. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39424770

Psalm 14: The Fool Named Fool and the Wise King’s Psalm 12/15/2025

Psalm 14: The Fool Named Fool and the Wise King’s Psalm David's psalm about "the fool" may be linked to a man he knew. 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/39409180

Psalm 13: A Psalm of Anguish and Joy 12/14/2025

Psalm 13: A Psalm of Anguish and Joy Psalm 13 is a small psalm whose expressions are understood to be capturing the span of Jewish history. 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/39399435

Psalm 12: The Danger of Duplicity and the Silver Speech of the Divine 12/12/2025

Psalm 12: The Danger of Duplicity and the Silver Speech of the Divine David asks us to ponder how language is used and how different God's speech is from that among humanity. 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/39381190

Psalm 11: A Mountain, a Bird, and the Nature of Faith 12/11/2025

Psalm 11: A Mountain, a Bird, and the Nature of Faith In reading Psalm 11, we ponder how two poems provide meaningful metaphors for 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/39367225

Psalm 10: Athens, Jerusalem, and Injustice 12/10/2025

Psalm 10: Athens, Jerusalem, and Injustice Psalm 10 offers insights into the difference between the Greek and Jewish views of justice. 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/39353885

Psalm 9: David, the Psalms, and the Existence of Evil 12/09/2025

Psalm 9: David, the Psalms, and the Existence of Evil In Psalm 9, David seems to reflect on his most famous battle encounter—and on the existence of evil in the world. 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/39336380

Psalm 8: Majesty and Humility in the Psalms 12/08/2025

Psalm 8: Majesty and Humility in the Psalms Psalm 8 perfectly expresses what Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik described as the "majesty and humility" at the heart of the human condition. 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/39321215

Psalm 7: David, Saul, and the Psalms 12/07/2025

Psalm 7: David, Saul, and the Psalms Psalm 7 finds David grappling with the fact that Saul, the anointed of God, threatens his life. 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/39311590

Psalm 6: Tachanun and the Intimate Encounter with the Almighty 12/05/2025

Psalm 6: Tachanun and the Intimate Encounter with the Almighty Psalm 6 is often recited in a posture of prostration, allowing for a more intimate interaction with God. 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/39290370

Psalm 5: To Be Like Bees 12/04/2025

Psalm 5: To Be Like Bees Psalm 5 teaches that God-given joy is the honey at the heart of this world. 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/39266105

Psalm 4: For the Conductor 12/03/2025

Psalm 4: For the Conductor Psalm 4 reveals the power of music in healing the soul. 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/39249825

Psalm 3: For the Sake of the Sacred City 12/02/2025

Psalm 3: For the Sake of the Sacred City Psalm 3 finds David at the lowest point of his career, but his focus remains on his people. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of "Poetry & Prayer" is generously sponsored by Warren and Susan Stern. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39235660

Psalm 2: Jerusalem, DC 12/01/2025

Psalm 2: Jerusalem, DC Psalm 2 speaks to the enduring nature of Jerusalem as the City of David. Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of "Poetry & Prayer" is generously sponsored by Warren and Susan Stern. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39225205

Psalm 1: Psalms in a Gulag and on a Gameshow 11/28/2025

Psalm 1: Psalms in a Gulag and on a Gameshow Psalms is a book in which God is praised. Why then does it begin with praise for man? Supplemental Materials: — "Poetry & Prayer: A Daily Journey Through the Psalms" is generously sponsored by Ivan and Suzana Kaufman. This episode of "Poetry & Prayer" is generously sponsored by Warren and Susan Stern. /episode/index/show/022b2799-d4d8-42e3-bbaf-802b316f155d/id/39200335

Poetry and Prayer

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