Book 2 of 5 · Parallels Sefer Shemot

Second Book of Tehilim

Chapters 42-72.

Book 2 opens with "K'ayal ta'arog al afikei mayim", the longing of Bnei Korach. Unlike Book 1's pure Davidic voice, Book 2 has multiple authors: Bnei Korach (chapters 42-49), Asaf (chapter 50), David (51-71), and Shlomo HaMelech (chapter 72).

The classic teshuvah psalm lives here: chapter 51, "Lamenatzeach mizmor leDavid bevoa elav Natan haNavi", said by David after Natan rebuked him over Batsheva. It anchors the Yom Kippur "Selach lanu" liturgy and many weekday tachanunim. Chapter 67, "Elokim yechanenu vivarcheinu", the Menorah-shaped psalm, is also here.

Stylistically, Book 2 favors the name Elokim over the Tetragrammaton, which scholars call "Elohist Tehilim". The book closes with "Kalu tefilot David ben Yishai", suggesting that with chapter 72 (Shlomo's coronation psalm) the original collection of David's prayers concludes.

Notable chapters in Book 2

42
K'ayal Ta'arog
Opens Book 2. Bnei Korach's longing for the Beit HaMikdash.
51
Mizmor HaTeshuvah
Said by David after Natan haNavi rebuked him. Anchor of teshuvah liturgy.
67
Elokim Yechanenu
The Menorah psalm. Said in some communities after Shacharit and after Havdalah.
68
Yakum Elokim
Said at the splitting of Yam Suf. Longest psalm in Book 2.
72
L'Shlomo Elokim
Closes Book 2. Describes Shlomo's reign and the justice he brings.

All chapters in Book 2

Chapters 42-72. Tap a chapter to read.

42 For the Leader; Maschil of the sons 43 Be Thou my judge, O God, and 44 For the Leader; [a Psalm] of the 45 For the Leader; upon Shoshannim; [a Psalm] 46 For the Leader; [a Psalm] of the 47 For the Leader; a Psalm of the 48 A Song; a Psalm of the sons 49 For the Leader; a Psalm of the 50 A Psalm of Asaph. God, God, the 51 For the Leader. A Psalm of David; 52 For the Leader. Maschil of David; 53 For the Leader; upon Mahalath. Maschil of 54 For the Leader; with string-music. Maschil of 55 For the Leader; with string-music. Maschil of 56 For the Leader; upon Jonath-elem-rehokim. [A Psalm] 57 For the Leader; Al-tashheth. [A Psalm] of 58 For the Leader; Al-tashheth. [A Psalm] of 59 For the Leader; Al-tashheth. [A Psalm] of 60 For the Leader; upon Shushan Eduth; Michtam 61 For the Leader; with string-music. [A Psalm] 62 For the Leader; for Jeduthun. A Psalm 63 A Psalm of David, when he was 64 For the Leader. A Psalm of David. 65 For the Leader. A Psalm. A Song 66 For the Leader. A Song, a Psalm. 67 For the Leader; with string-music. A Psalm, 68 For the Leader. A Psalm of David, 69 For the Leader; upon Shoshannim. [A Psalm] 70 For the Leader. [A Psalm] of David; 71 In Thee, O LORD, have I taken 72 [A Psalm] of Solomon. Give the king

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote Book 2?

Book 2 is the most varied: Bnei Korach (42-49), Asaf (50), David (51-71), and Shlomo HaMelech (72). It's the most "collective" of the five books in terms of authorship.

What is "Elohist Tehilim"?

A scholarly term for Book 2, where the name Elokim appears more often than the Tetragrammaton. Scholars suggest this reflects late editing by an Elohist school. For prayer purposes there's no practical implication.

Where is the teshuvah psalm?

Chapter 51, "Lamenatzeach mizmor leDavid bevoa elav Natan haNavi", is the classic teshuvah psalm. David said it after Natan haNavi rebuked him about Batsheva. Some communities recite it nightly after "Barchi nafshi", and it's woven through Selichot.

Why does the book end with "Kalu tefilot David ben Yishai"?

A unique closing for Book 2, different from the standard closings of the other books. It probably hints that the original collection of "David's prayers" concluded at chapter 72, before later editorial additions. Books 3-5 have fewer personal Davidic psalms.

The other books of Tehilim

First Chapters 1-41 Third Chapters 73-89 Fourth Chapters 90-106 Fifth Chapters 107-150 Back to all 150 chapters 150 chapters