The Book of Psalms (or “tehillim” in Hebrew) ,composed by King David and other great Biblical figures, is one of the most frequently opened books of the Bible. When I ride on Jerusalem buses, I always see at least one or two women engaged in reading tehillim, and it is no wonder, since reciting tehillim is regarded as a protection against danger. Many great sages and rabbis have encouraged their followers to recite tehillim, in spite of the fact that engaging one’s intellect in the more complex aspects of Torah has often been more highly prized. Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, the previous Rebbe of Lubavitch, instituted the practice of reading the daily portion of the book of tehillim divided according to the days of the month. It is believed that reading tehillim brings livelihood, peace and healing. When a mother asked the same Rebbe how to raise children, he answered in Yiddish with “tehillim and teren” (with tehillim and tears).
When a person is sick (G-d forbid), longing for children, trying to find a spouse or has any kind of problem, it is a good idea to read tehillim for them. The usual chapter that is read, especially in cases of danger or illness, is chapter 20 (or chof). This is relatively short, and can be read for an entire list of people, if required. Usually we mention the person’s Hebrew name, the word “ben” for a man or “bat” for a woman, and the mother’s name. For instance, Miriam bat Sara or Yehoshua ben Rochel. If the Hebrew name is unknown, the English name can be used, and if one does not know the name of the mother, we say bat Sara Immenu (are mother Sara). For non-Jews, we say the father’s name, such as Leda bat George. If we do not know the non-Jew’s father’s name, we say ben/bat Avraham Avinu (Abraham our Father).
There are many miracle stories connected with tehillim, but reading these verses has a beneficial effect even if results are not immediate or earth-shattering. I always feel more at peace after reading tehillim. As a great sage, the Tzemach Tzedek, once said, “If you only knew the power that tehillim has on High, you would never stop reading tehillim.”