Tehillim 27 is the anthem of the season. Beginning on the first of Elul  (September 4, 2024), it is traditionally recited twice daily through the end of Sukkot, totalling just over 100 recitations over nearly two months. This psalm contains some truly beautiful verses and has likely inspired more songs than any other chapter in Tanach. But how well do we really understand it as a cohesive whole? What is the progression from verse 1 to verse 14? What is the psalm's overall message? And how do we make sense of the more unusual lines, such as when David mentions his parents abandoning him?

In exploring these questions, we’ll see that this mizmor is far more than just a collection of memorable one-liners. Our analysis, with God’s help, will uncover a profoundly deep and heart-wrenching story.

Follow along with the full text on Sefaria or view the full structure of the chapter in this PDF.

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