Why Do We Recite Tehillim?
Q. Why do we read psalms when someone is ill? Also, why does a shomer read psalms while sitting with the body of one who is deceased? I have also observed a chattan reading psalms under the chuppa.
A. Thanks for your question, which was forwarded to my attention. You may be aware that, originally, people used to make up their own prayers. However, as might be expected, most weren't too proficient at it, so the Sages drafted a standardized text for us to recite. I think the same would be the case here.
Most people wouldn't be too articulate when it comes to composing their own prayers on behalf of sick loved ones. King David, however, was especially gifted when it came to pouring out his heart to God. Accordingly, it's appropriate for us to use his words to express what we're incapable of saying on our own.
In addition to serving as prayer, Tehillim is Tanach, so it also has the status of Torah study. This is an additional merit for those who are ill, as well as for the deceased in the case of a shomer.
In the case of a chosson, a couple is in a propitious spiritual position on their wedding day, so others ask the chosson and kallah to recite Tehillim under the chuppah for them in order to take advantage of their special favor on that day.
I hope this helps.
------------------------------------
Q. Shalom. My mother of blessed memory’s yahrtzeit is coming up. Because of illness, I’m unable to attend services to say Kaddish and will have to daven at home. Can you suggest any prayers I can recite to honor her? How about the yizkor prayer.?
A. Thanks for your question, which was directed to my attention. There is no particular liturgy for a yahrtzeit, and Yizkor is only recited on certain holidays. What some people like to do is to recite the same chapters of Tehillim that one might recite when visiting the cemetery. These include Psalms 33, 16, 17, 72, 91, 104 and 130, plus the verses from Psalm 119 that start with the letters that spell out the name of the deceased. May the Neshama have an aliyah!
------------------------------
Rabbi Jack's book Ask Rabbi Jack is available from Kodesh Press and on Amazon.com.