Book 1 of 5 · Parallels Sefer Bereshit
First Book of Tehilim
Chapters 1-41.
The First Book of Tehilim opens with "Ashrei ha'ish", which sets up the entire book as one of "walking in the way of Hashem". Almost all 41 chapters are attributed to King David: this is the Davidic book proper, with no Asaf and no Bnei Korach. Just David's voice.
Several of the most-recognized chapters of Jewish prayer live here: Chapter 23, "Mizmor LeDavid Hashem Ro'i", said at the third Shabbat meal and at funerals; chapter 27, "L'David Hashem Ori", recited twice daily through Elul and Tishrei; chapter 30, "Mizmor Shir Chanukat HaBayit", which opens Pesukei DeZimra every morning. Chapter 19, "HaShamayim Mesaprim", and chapter 20, "Ya'ancha Hashem", also belong here.
Stylistically, the First Book uses the Tetragrammaton (the Name spelled YKVK) almost exclusively, in contrast to the Second Book's preference for the name Elokim. The voice is personal: David approaches Hashem in the first person, confessing, pleading, thanking. The book closes with "Baruch Hashem Elokei Yisrael me'olam ve'ad olam amen v'amen", the standard closing of each of the five books of Tehilim.
Notable chapters in Book 1
- 1 Ashrei HaIsh
Opens Sefer Tehilim. Contrasts the tzaddik who walks in Hashem's way with the resha'im.
- 19 HaShamayim Mesaprim
Said in Pesukei DeZimra on Shabbat and Yom Tov.
- 20 Ya'ancha Hashem b'Yom Tzarah
Said before travel and in times of trouble. Part of weekday Shacharit.
- 23 Mizmor LeDavid Hashem Ro'i
The Shepherd psalm. Said at Seudat Shlishit and at funerals.
- 27 L'David Hashem Ori
Said twice daily from Rosh Chodesh Elul through Hoshana Rabbah.
- 30 Mizmor Shir Chanukat HaBayit
Opens Pesukei DeZimra. Also said on Chanukah.
All chapters in Book 1
Chapters 1-41. Tap a chapter to read.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Tehilim divided into five books?
Per traditional teaching, the five books of Tehilim parallel the Five Books of the Torah: Book 1 ↔ Bereshit, Book 2 ↔ Shemot, Book 3 ↔ Vayikra, Book 4 ↔ Bamidbar, Book 5 ↔ Devarim. The division is referenced as early as the Talmud and appears in Midrash Shocher Tov on Tehilim.
Who wrote the chapters in Book 1?
Almost all of Book 1 is attributed to King David. Most chapters open with "Mizmor LeDavid" or "L'David Mizmor". This book has no Asaf or Bnei Korach psalms, making it the Davidic book in essence.
What's distinctive about Book 1 vs. the rest?
Book 1 uses the Tetragrammaton (the explicit Divine Name) almost exclusively, while Book 2 favors the name Elokim. Most chapters in Book 1 are personal: prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving of the individual rather than the community.
When are Book 1 chapters said in davening?
Daily: chapter 30 and chapter 19 in Pesukei DeZimra, chapter 20 at the end of weekday Shacharit, chapter 27 twice daily during Elul and Tishrei, and chapter 23 at Seudat Shlishit on Shabbat.