Mah Ahavti: The Fourth Chapter of Tehillim

Mah Ahavti: The Fourth Chapter of Tehillim, by Rav Yitzchak Etshalom

In this, the fourth shiur in this series, we explore the notion of contextuality and authorship as regards Tehillim. We then study the text of the fourth chapter with an eye towards the four goals in any study of Tehillim - (1) the meaning of the words (2) the poetic structure of the psalm (3) the message of the psalm and (4) its place at that point in the liturgy, along with one added consideration - why this chapter is one of the two that is partially skipped - and why it is the first half that is deliberately elided on some days. This shiur was given in anticipation of the celebration of Yom Yerushalayim, the 56th anniversary of the reestablishment of Jewish sovereignty over our eternal capitol.

What does the psalmist mean when he rues thinking "all men are deceitful" (כל האדם כזב)?

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