We are now steadily moving out of the depths of winter, and our review of the Winter Psalms, at least as a first read-through, is done. Stay tuned for a new study topic for consideration.

If Psalm 132 was the longest psalm, 133 is one of the shortest, only three verses in length.

Psalm 132 is the longest of the Songs of Ascent. It focuses on worship, which the nation of Israel modeled on the experiences and prayers of its greatest king and prayer leader, David. It reviews his history as a basis for our liturgy, and recalls both David’s vow to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem (verses 1-10) and G-d’s covenantal promise to David regarding how his descendants will be kings henceforth (verses 11-18); these are also both covered in prose in 2 Samu

Psalm 131 is, well, short. It is sometimes ascribed to David in his younger days (although Rashi said that he wrote it much later in life, perhaps when he was “on the run” from his son’s Absalom’s rebellion. Below, I will reprint the psalm with references to two (2) different sources of analysis.

Psalm 130 is a regular part of our High Holidays liturgy. The Sephardic tradition recites it at the end of the selichot prayers throughout the month of Elul, and then onwards to Yom Kippur.

He has been harassed and tortured by other people for his entire life, both for his own actual sins and out of their own hatred and jealously. Now, with G-d’s help, he is finally returning from exile to his own land, even as his enemies fail and die away.

Psalm 128 is relatively straightforward. As part of our covenant, if we (as a people) obey the laws which we have been given (in the Torah), we will be rewarded with prosperity, family, long life and peace, as we live together around the holy city of Jerusalem in Eretz Yisrael.

This psalm is attributed to King Solomon.