Reading Tehillim 91 with “Vihi Noam”
Tehillim 90:17
“Vihi noam Ad-nai Eloheinu aleinu, uma'aseh yadeinu konenah aleinu, uma'aseh yadeinu konenehu” -
(May the favor of the L-rd, our G-d, rest upon us. May He establish the work of our hands for us; may He establish the work of our hands).
The Sages ordained this verse from Psalm 90 before the recitation of Psalm 91 as a segula against all forms of negativity. Why is the final verse of Psalm 90, “Vihi Noam,” recited twice before reading Psalm 91?The Arizal, may the memory of the righteous be a blessing, explains in Shaar HaKavanot why it is so important to recite “Vihi Noam” before Psalm 91 at the Chanukah menorah.
As a rule, Psalm 91 is recited when the neshamah leaves the body—when someone passes away or before sleep.
The 91st chapter of Tehillim provides the strength that protects the neshamah during this process.
When we first recite the end of Psalm 90, “Vihi noam,” we connect to and draw upon the forces of the sefirah of Binah and envelop ourselves in the light of “Or HaGanuz,” thereby providing our soul with protection from Above. (Rabbi Alon Anava)
Ben Ish Chai teaches how important it is to recite these words before any prayer or mitzvah.
Based on the Zohar HaKadosh, Ben Ish Chai regards this verse as a prayer to G-d, in which we ask Him to accept and credit our prayers and mitzvot, even though we understand that they are imperfect and lack lofty and profound intentions. Nevertheless, we ask that they reach the gates of prayer in Heaven and be accepted. Then, imbued with strength from the Almighty, our prayers and mitzvot will have the desired effect in the Upper Worlds.
Rashash—the greatest Kabbalist, Rabbi Shalom Sharabi (may his merit shield us)—explains that Psalm 91 must be preceded by “Vihi Noam” because a person's sins and failings dim the Light produced by prayers and mitzvot. The spiritual effects of our mitzvot are blocked by our imperfections. Therefore, we ask G-d to “establish” our good deeds and restore their full spiritual power despite our transgressions.
There is also a custom to repeat the final verse of Psalm 91, “Orekh yamim asbi'ehu”, twice. According to one opinion, this brings the number of verses in the psalm to 17—“tov”—since Psalm 91 contains 16 verses. (“Birnbaum Siddur HaSiddur HaShalem,” p. 310)
Avudraham teaches that this protects the 248 eivarim (limbs).
Maharam explains that repeating this verse twice gives the numerical value of “Kohanim”. This is connected to the fact that the Hasmoneans were Kohanim, and when they went to war, they repeated “Vihi Noam” seven times and “Orekh Yamim” twice—and were victorious. (Tashbetz 258)
A segula from the Ramban for Chanukah is to recite Psalm (90:17): “Vihi noam A-donai Eloheinu…”, repeating each word seven times after lighting the Chanukah candles.
The Baal Shem Tov taught that by the Chanukah candles one should recite Psalm (90:17) seven times: “Vihi noam A-donai Eloheinu…” together with Psalm 91. He also advised doing this on all holy days and in times of trouble.
