The literary analyses of the Psalms are written by Dr. Victoria Rosenberg. They come out of discussions between Rabbi Amram Maccabi and Dr. Rosenberg who weekly study a particular Psalm which inspires the analysis then posted on the website. Victoria Hammerling Rosenberg holds a PhD in English literature and has taught at Dalhousie and Mount St. Vincent universities.
Click here to read “Psalm Four – Translation of the Song” On first reading, Psalm 4 seems disjointed, as though several melodies were being sung, one after the other. The one common chord throughout, however, is the constancy of the singer’s faith in God. Verse 2 begins with the singer’s plea to God …
I think this is the most classic performance of what we sang: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsxP6ohwBR0 and this one is the best… 🙂 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBO9vQSuiHY Song 71 acts as the completion of Song 70; thus, the two songs themselves pair. Rather than the introductory verse customary in most of the songs, the first verse of Song 71 resounds the prevalent …
Continue reading ‘Psalm 71 – SING & LEARN (continues Psalm 70)’ »
Both songs, 70 and 71, are built on doublings; that is, on the pairings of words similar in meaning and connotation. Pairing of words is a common note in many, if not most, of the Praisesongs. But, in these two, it is the dominant chord. Song 70 pairs words not only within its individual verses but also from one …
Click here to read “Psalm Three: Translation of the Song” Structure and meaning are striking complements in Song 3; where and when words occur in the verses sound the singer’s intent as surely and harmoniously as the strings of his lyre voice their notes together. Thus: verses 2 and 3 contain three repetitions of the …
Click here to read “Psalm Two – Translation of the Song” The second song is both a completion of and contrast to the first. The first song is stately, composed of elegant generalities; the tone, overall calm. The second is passionate; direct quotations break the flow, and the overall effect –but for the final line– is …
Click here to read “Psalm One: Translation of the Song” “Happy” — the first word of the first line of the first of King David’s praisesongs. The Hebrew, “ashrai”, voices the same opening note of joy as does the English, but, simply because the word “ashrai” starts with an “aleph”, the first letter of the Hebrew …
Psalm 69 is a very typical chapter for the Book of Psalms. The song we recorded is actually a segment from the North African Jewry service, the ambassador of the congregation recites that verse and the congregation repeats it. I would like to quote Sarah, Victoria’s daughter (A mathematician who is an economist): “Prime numbers are …
We are fortunate again to have Professor Victoria’s analysis to the chapter, Psalm 57. Below the analysis you can find the historical background for the Psalm. Last, there are few short comments I remember we brought up in the study. Psalm 55 – Analysis The imagery in song 57 is very like that of song 55, …
Continue reading ‘Psalm 57– SING & LEARN – Words of weapon are defeated by words of G-d’s praises’ »