Tehillim for the Twelve Tribes of Israel
The Fourth Book of Tehillim begins with 11 chapters (90–100), composed by Moshe Rabbeinu. He composed them before the Exodus from Egypt, one for each of the Tribes of Israel (except the Tribe of Simeon).
More than 400 years later, during the era of the United Kingdom of Israel, David HaMelech discovered the scrolls containing Moshe’s words and included them in his book of Tehillim.
Chapter 90 of Tehillim is dedicated to the descendants of Reuven, the first baal teshuvah.
Chapter 91 of Tehillim was composed in honor of the descendants of Levi. Moshe Rabbeinu recited it on the day he first set up the portable Mishkan in the wilderness.
Chapter 92 — Tehillim was composed for the descendants of Yehudah.
Chapter 93 — Tehillim is dedicated to Binyamin.
Chapter 94 — to the Tribe of Gad, from whom the finest warriors descended. In this chapter, Moshe appeals to HaShem to vanquish evil on earth.
Chapter 95 was composed in honor of Yissachar, whose descendants became Torah scholars.
Chapter 96, in turn, was composed for the descendants of Zevulun, who engaged in commerce and supported the scholarly pursuits of Yissachar.
Chapter 97 was composed for the descendants of Yosef.
Chapter 98 was composed for Naftali. His descendants settled in the quietest and most prosperous areas of the Land of Israel, and their joy can easily be discerned in the text of this psalm.
Chapter 99 was inspired by the descendants of Dan, whom Moshe Rabbeinu himself compared to a young lion
Chapter 100 of Tehillim is dedicated to the descendants of Asher. In the Land of Israel, Asher’s portion was one of the wealthiest, and the text of this psalm reveals how grateful its inhabitants were for such support from Above.
(Based on materials from the "Sila Tehilim" group on Odnoklassniki)
