Rabbi Margo Hughes-Robinson performs a selection from Psalm 27.
Psalm 27 expresses deep faith in God’s protection in the face of life’s dangers and uncertainties. But the psalmist also gives voice to doubt and even desperation for God’s redemption.
This duality is reflected in the penultimate verse:
לולא הֶ֭אֱמַנְתִּי לִרְא֥וֹת בְּֽטוּב־יְהוָ֗ה בְּאֶ֣רֶץ חַיִּֽים׃
Had I not the assurance that I would enjoy the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living
In this video, Rabbi Margo Hughes-Robinson teaches and performs this line.
The Thursday psalm recalls the fifth day of creation and considers God’s miracles.
The psalm associated with Shabbat aims to induce a state of awareness in which human perception realigns with divine creation.
This Sunday psalm is also recited during weekday Torah services.