Our Sages teach us (see Talmud Bavli, Bava Basra 14b) that King David wrote Psalms (T’hilim) based on his own experiences along with the contributions of other great Jewish figures. While the Book of T’hilim was composed mainly by King David, the Gemara, there, enumerates ten authors who composed Psalms other than King David.
The Gemara speaks of these men as “Asarah Z’keinim,” ten great scholars endowed with profound wisdom and prophetic insight, which enabled them to compose such a sacred text. Psalm 139 was attributed to Adam HaRishon. Another psalm was composed by King Malki-Tzedek. Psalm 89 is attributed to Avraham Avinu. There are 11 hymns composed by Moshe Rabbeinu. There are several chants composed by the L’viim who officiated as singers in the Beis HaMikdash.
For centuries, Jews have turned to T’hilim to give voice to their deepest feelings, both in times of great trouble and of great happiness. T’hilim can unlock our hearts and draw us up towards their exalted greatness.
The Tzemach Tzedek, the third Lubavitcher Rebbe, says: “If you only knew the power that lies in the verses of T’hilim and their effect in the celestial heights, you would recite them all the time. Know that the chapters of T’hilim break through all barriers and soar aloft from level to level, unimpeded. They intercede before the Master of the Universe and secure their effect with kindness and mercy.
List of People Who Need a r’fuah sh’leimah (a complete recovery)
Please recite Psalms 20, 30, 88, 121, and 130.
David ben Liza Leah
Shmaryahu ben Raizel Shoshanah Miriam
Yisrael ben Raizel Shoshanah Miriam
Zhenya ben Zoya
Arvin Nesanel ben Sonia
Yotam ben Efrat Michal
Michael ben Naomi Sarah
Moshe Meir ben Chanah Etel
Shlomo Zalman ben Golda
David Yair ben Aliza
Yisrael Moshe ben Sarah
Yitzchak Shlomo ben Gittel
HaRav Yeshayah Yaakov ben Reizel
David ben Zoay
Malkiel ben Miriam
Zoya bas Rachel Raya
Zhanna bas Zoya
Chayah Adelya Hagilo bas Rachel
Esther Hadassah bas Devorah
Mitali Naomi bas Gilah Farcha
Eden Libi bas Chanah
Orli Danielle bas Chanah
Nancy Elisheva Sarah bas Roza
Heleni Ornah bas Chen Chanah
Eliana Liel bas Yocheved Leah
Rachel bas Blima
Avigayil bas Sarah
Ariella bas Sarah Zelda
Chayah Sarah Leah bas Brachah
Bas Sheva bas Bluma Rivkah
Mazal bas Miriam Chayah
Chanah Feigel bas Bluma
Israeli Soldiers (Please recite Psalms 25, 26, 46, 83, 142.)
Yehoshua ben Aliza Esther
Menachem ben Aliza Esther
Gavriel Efraim ben Chanah Yafah
Nesanel Akiva ben Chanah Yafah
Yonasan Ezra ben Chanah Yafah
Chaim Aba Menachem ben Naomi Baila
Daniel Moshe ben Devorah
Gavriel Yehudah ben Yaakov
Shmuel ben Aharon
Moshe ben Shoshanah Esther
Yehoshua ben Tzvi
Dvir Moshe ben Dinah
Oriel ben Dinah
Moshe Eliyahu ben Dinah Yehudis
Yosef ben Shlomis
Yosef ben Sarit
Yosef Daniel ben Anat
Yosef Chaim ben Hadas
To add names of individuals who need a r’fuah sh’leimah to next week’s T’hilim column, please email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and complete the Google form.