Tehillim for Salvation from Enemies and Persecutors

Pesukim for Salvation from Enemies and Persecutors

1. Tehillim 2 – for legal disputes Stand facing each of the four cardinal directions and recite four times. 2. Tehillim 3:2 – strength to annul a decree One should have kavanah on one of the Names of Ha-Shem included in the 42-letter Name קר"ע. יְ֭הוָה מָֽה־רַבּ֣וּ צָרָ֑י רַ֝בִּ֗ים קָמִ֥ים עָלָֽי׃ “Adonai, mah rabbu tzarai, rabim kamim alai” – (Adonai, how numerous are my enemies; numerous are those who rise up against me). 3. Tehillim 4:3 – protection from sorcery and ayin hara Kavanah on one of the 72 Names of Ha-Shem – אע"מ. בְּנֵ֥י אִ֡ישׁ עַד־מֶ֬ה כְבוֹדִ֣י לִ֭כְלִמָּה תֶּאֱהָב֣וּן רִ֑יק תְּבַקְשׁ֖וּ כָזָ֣ב סֶֽלָה “Bnei ish, ad meh kevodi likhlimah, te’ehavun rik, tevakshu kazav selah” – (Sons of man! How long will my honor be put to shame? How long will you love vanity and seek falsehood? Selah!). 4. Tehillim 5 – for protection from judgments Recite seven times for three consecutive days – during bein ha-arbayim (between sunset and nightfall), from the time the sun, having passed its zenith, begins to descend until it disappears below the horizon at sunset [in Hebrew, “Shkiat HaChamah”], but before all the stars have appeared. Recite facing north, over a glass of pure olive oil; then anoint the face, hands, and feet. 5. Tehillim 6 – for salvation from tzarot Recite seven times in the morning and seven times in the evening before shkiah. 6. Tehillim 7:18 – so that harm is not done and evil is transformed into good אוֹדֶ֣ה יְהוָ֣ה כְּצִדְק֑וֹ וַ֝אֲזַמְּרָ֗ה שֵֽׁם־יְהוָ֥ה עֶלְיֽוֹן׃ “Odeh Adonai ketzidko, va’azamrah shem Adonai Elyon” – (I will thank Adonai according to His righteousness and sing praise to the Name of Adonai Most High). 7. Tehillim 9:11 – removes adversaries from one’s path (the Name Takeh) וְיִבְטְח֣וּ בְ֭ךָ יוֹדְעֵ֣י שְׁמֶ֑ךָ כִּֽי לֹֽא־עָזַ֖בְתָּ דֹרְשֶׁ֣יךָ יְהוָֽה “Veyivtechu vecha yode’ei shemecha, ki lo azavta dorshecha Adonai” – (Those who know Your Name will trust in You, for You do not forsake those who seek You, Adonai). 8. Tehillim 10 – for “Hester Panim” (the concealment of Ha-Shem’s countenance) 9. Tehillim 11 – for protection from eleven types of evildoers 10. Tehillim 16:4 – from danger and sorcery – מע"א – “Ein Od Milvado” יִרְבּ֥וּ עַצְּבוֹתָם֮ אַחֵ֪ר מָ֫הָ֥רוּ בַּל־אַסִּ֣יךְ נִסְכֵּיהֶ֣ם מִדָּ֑ם וּֽבַל־אֶשָּׂ֥א אֶת־שְׁ֝מוֹתָ֗ם עַל־שְׂפָתָֽי “Yirbu atzvotam acher maharu; bal asich niskeihem midam, uval essa et shemotam al sefatay” – (May the sorrows of those who hasten after another [god] increase). 11. Tehillim 18 – for protection from enemies, physical and spiritual This psalm encodes the Name of Ha-Shem several times, providing assistance against enemies. Prayer after reciting Tehillim 18: “Yehi ratzon milefanecha Elo-hai, shetatzileni mikol oyvai u-mikol son’ai, u-mikol pega ra’ah” – (May it be Your will, Alef-Lamed-Yud-Hey, to save me from all my enemies, from all who hate me, and from every misfortune). 12. Tehillim 19:8–10 – King David’s segulah using the index finger King David said in Tehillim (144:1): “Hamelamed yaday lakrav, etzbe’otai le-milchamah” – (Who teaches my hands for battle, my fingers for war). King David composed Psalm 19 so that in the three pesukim of Tehillim 19 (verses 8 through 10), the four-letter Name of Ha-Shem appears six times in the second position. If each verse is divided into five words corresponding to the five fingers of the hands, and the fingers are extended, the Name of Ha-Shem will always fall on the second—the index finger—“etzba” (“etzbe’otai le-milchamah”):

• 8. Torat Adonai temimah, meshivat nafesh,
• Edut Adonai ne’emanah, machkimat peti.
• 9. Pikudei Adonai yesharim, mesamchei lev,
• Mitzvat Adonai barah, me’irat einayim.
• 10. Yirat Adonai tehorah, omedet la’ad,
• Mishpetei Adonai emet tज़adku yachdav.

Before battles, King David recited this psalm in precisely this manner, extending his fingers, and then pointed at the enemies with his index finger and immediately prevailed. 13. Tehillim 20 – blocks sorcery and all evil 14. Tehillim 24:8 – Ha-Shem binds the enemies’ tongues מִ֥י זֶה֮ מֶ֤לֶךְ הַכָּ֫ב֥וֹד יְ֭הוָה עִזּ֣וּז וְגִבּ֑וֹר יְ֝הוָ֗ה גִּבּ֥וֹר מִלְחָמָֽה “Mi zeh Melech hakavod, Adonai izuz vegibor, Adonai gibor milchamah” – (Who is this King of glory? Adonai, mighty and powerful; Adonai, mighty in war). 15. Tehillim 25:15 – recite 17 times before sleep for salvation עֵינַ֣י תָּ֭מִיד אֶל־יְהוָ֑ה כִּֽי הֽוּא־יוֹצִ֖יא מֵרֶ֣שֶׁת רַגְלָֽי “Einai tamid el Adonai, ki Hu yotzi mereshet raglai” – (My eyes are always turned to Adonai, for He releases my feet from the net). 16. Tehillim 28:9 – the ten words of this pasuk, corresponding to a minyan, contain a great blessing and salvation from enemies הוֹשִׁ֤יעָה ׀ אֶת־עַמֶּ֗ךָ וּבָרֵ֥ךְ אֶת־נַחֲלָתֶ֑ךָ וּֽרְעֵ֥ם וְ֝נַשְּׂאֵ֗ם עַד־הָעוֹלָֽם׃ “Hoshiah et amecha u-varech et nachalatecha, u-re’em ve-nas’em ad ha-olam” – (Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; sustain them and uplift them forever). 17. Tehillim 32:7 – for tzarot – “levatel hashpa’ah et Samech Mem” cancels the influence of this angel – three times אַתָּ֤ה ׀ סֵ֥תֶר לִי֮ מִצַּ֪ר תִּ֫צְּרֵ֥נִי רָנֵּ֥י פַלֵּ֑ט תְּס֖וֹבְבֵ֣נִי סֶֽלָה “Atah seter li, mi-tzar titzreni, ranei falet tesoveveni selah” – (You are my refuge; You will protect me from distress; You will surround me with joyous songs of deliverance. Selah). 18. Tehillim 33:20 – to annul decrees – “levatel gezerot” – kavanah on the holy Name נח"ל, “Nachal” נַ֭פְשֵׁנוּ חִכְּתָ֣ה לַֽיהוָ֑ה עֶזְרֵ֖נוּ וּמָגִנֵּ֣נוּ הֽוּא׃ “Nafshenu chiktah lAdonai, ezrenu u-maginnenu Hu” – (Our soul waits for Adonai; He is our help and our shield). This is also the holy Name on which we focus during the Hanukkah blessing while lighting the candles. This Name rectifies the holy sparks and helps us in our work (“birur”) as Jews in this world—the gathering of holy sparks and raising them up. The Mekubalim teach that raising the sparks has the power to annul decrees. 19. Tehillim 36 – 13 times, so that enemies cannot cause harm 20. Tehillim 47 – seven times for “levatel gezerot” In this psalm, the word “zameru” (sing, play music) is repeated five times. Another meaning of “zamer” is to cut down (the accuser); “zamru” has the gematria 253, equal to the gematria of “rachma” (womb), a symbol of the attribute of Mercy, “rechem.” 21. Tehillim 51 – the power of the seven planets – kavanah on the Holy Name האתבוח״ת הֵן־אֱ֭מֶת חָפַ֣צְתָּ בַטֻּח֑וֹת וּ֝בְסָתֻ֗ם חָכְמָ֥ה תוֹדִיעֵֽנִי׃ “Hen emet chafatzta vatuchot, u-vesatum chochmah todieni” – (Behold, You desire truth in the innermost parts, and in the hidden place You make wisdom known to me). According to the tradition of the Kabbalists, these seven words are connected with the power of the seven planets and therefore possess special power. 22. Tehillim 55:1 – to weaken an opponent so that he cannot reach an agreement with anyone בַּלַּ֣ע אֲ֭דֹנָי פַּלַּ֣ג לְשׁוֹנָ֑ם כִּֽי־רָאִ֨יתִי חָמָ֖ס וְרִ֣יב בָּעִֽיר “Bala Adonai, palag leshonam, ki ra’iti chamas ve-riv ba’ir” – (Destroy them, Adonai; divide their tongues, for I see violence and strife in the city). 23. Tehillim 55:19 – a miraculous salvation פָּ֘דָ֤ה בְשָׁל֣וֹם נַ֭פְשִׁי מִקֲּרָב־לִ֑י כִּֽי־בְ֝רַבִּ֗ים הָי֥וּ עִמָּדִֽי “Padah ve-shalom nafshi mi-krav li, ki ve-rabim hayu imadi” – (He redeemed my soul in peace from the battle against me, for many were with me). 24. Tehillim 55:23 – placing one’s problem in Ha-Shem’s hands הַשְׁלֵ֤ךְ עַל־יְהוָ֨ה ׀ יְהָבְךָ֮ וְה֪וּא יְכַ֫לְכְּלֶ֥ךָ לֹא־יִתֵּ֖ן לְעוֹלָ֥ם מ֗וֹט לַצַּדִּֽיק “Hashlech al Adonai yehavcha, ve-Hu yechalkelecha; lo yiten le-olam mot la-tzadik” – (Cast your burden upon Adonai, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to falter). 25. Tehillim 58:7 – crushing the enemy אֱ‍ֽלֹהִ֗ים הֲרָס־שִׁנֵּ֥ימוֹ בְּפִ֑ימוֹ מַלְתְּע֥וֹת כְּ֝פִירִ֗ים נְתֹ֣ץ ׀ יְהוָֽה “Elohim haras shineimo be-fimo; malte’ot kefirim netotz, Adonai” – (G-d, break their teeth in their mouths; shatter the fangs of the young lions, Adonai). 26. Tehillim 59:17 – the Name Takeh וַאֲנִ֤י ׀ אָשִׁ֣יר עֻזֶּךָ֮ וַאֲרַנֵּ֥ן לַבֹּ֗קֶר חַ֫סְדֶּ֥ךָ כִּֽי־הָיִ֣יתָ מִשְׂגָּ֣ב לִ֑י וּ֝מָנ֗וֹס בְּי֣וֹם צַר־לִֽי “Va-ani ashir uzzecha va-aranen la-boker chasdecha, ki hayita misgav li u-manos be-yom tzar li” – (But I will sing of Your strength and praise Your kindness in the morning, for You were a fortress for me and a refuge on the day of my distress). 27. Tehillim 69:14 – a prayer at Et Ratzon וַאֲנִ֤י תְפִלָּתִֽי־לְךָ֨ ׀ יְהוָ֡ה עֵ֤ת רָצ֗וֹן אֱלֹהִ֥ים בְּרָב־חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ עֲ֝נֵ֗נִי בֶּאֱמֶ֥ת יִשְׁעֶֽךָ “Va-ani tefilati lecha Adonai, et ratzon; Elohim, be-rov chasdecha, aneni be-emet yishecha” – (But my prayer is to You, Adonai, at a favorable time; G-d, in Your abundant kindness, answer me with the truth of Your salvation). 28. Tehillim 69:19 – in times of danger – kavanah on the word “ge’alah” (salvation) קָרְבָ֣ה אֶל־נַפְשִׁ֣י גְאָלָ֑הּ לְמַ֖עַן אֹיְבַ֣י פְּדֵֽנִי׃ “Karvah el nafshi ge’alah; lema’an oyvai pedeni” – (Draw near to my soul and redeem it; for the sake of my enemies, rescue me). 29. Tehillim 69:28 – removing enemies – kavanah on the word “tenah” תְּֽנָה־עָ֭וֺן עַל־עֲוֺנָ֑ם וְאַל־יָ֝בֹ֗אוּ בְּצִדְקָתֶֽךָ׃ “Tenah avon al avonam, ve-al yavo’u be-tzidkatecha” – (Add this sin to their sins, and let them not attain Your righteousness). 30. Tehillim 70:2 – salvation אֱלֹהִ֥ים לְהַצִּילֵ֑נִי יְ֝הוָ֗ה לְעֶזְרָ֥תִי חֽוּשָֽׁה׃ “Elohim lehatzileni, Adonai le-ezrati chushah” – (G-d, save me; Adonai, hasten to help me). 31. Tehillim 71:1 – salvation from disgrace בְּךָֽ־יְהוָ֥ה חָסִ֑יתִי אַל־אֵב֥וֹשָׁה לְעוֹלָֽם׃ “Becha Adonai chasiti, al evoshah le-olam” – (In You, Adonai, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame). 32. Tehillim 74:21 – for a miracle אַל־יָשֹׁ֣ב דַּ֣ךְ נִכְלָ֑ם עָנִ֥י וְ֝אֶבְי֗וֹן יְֽהַלְל֥וּ שְׁמֶֽךָ׃ “Al yashov dach nichlam; ani ve-evyon yehalelu shemecha” – (Let the oppressed not return in disgrace; let the poor and needy praise Your Name). 33. Tehillim 78:9 – 17 times for protection from judgments בְּֽנֵי־אֶפְרַ֗יִם נוֹשְׁקֵ֥י רוֹמֵי־קָ֑שֶׁת הָ֝פְכ֗וּ בְּי֣וֹם קְרָֽב׃ “Bnei Ephraim noshkei romei kashet hafchu be-yom krav” – (The sons of Ephraim, armed and shooting bows, turned back on the day of battle). 34. Tehillim 82:1 – for protection from judgment – kavanah on the word “nitzav” מִזְמ֗וֹר לְאָ֫סָ֥ף אֱ‍ֽלֹהִ֗ים נִצָּ֥ב בַּעֲדַת־אֵ֑ל בְּקֶ֖רֶב אֱלֹהִ֣ים יִשְׁפֹּֽט׃ “Mizmor le-Asaf; Elohim nitzav ba’adat El, be-kerev Elohim yishpot” – (A psalm of Asaf. G-d stands in the divine assembly; among the judges He renders judgment). 35. Tehillim 83:2 – confusing the enemies אֱלֹהִ֥ים אַל־דֳּמִי־לָ֑ךְ אַל־תֶּחֱרַ֖שׁ וְאַל־תִּשְׁקֹ֣ט אֵֽל׃ “Elohim, al domi lach; al techerash ve-al tishkot El” – (G-d, do not be silent; do not be quiet or still, O G-d). 36. Tehillim 85:8 – manifest assistance from Ha-Shem הַרְאֵ֣נוּ יְהוָ֣ה חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝יֶשְׁעֲךָ֗ תִּתֶּן־לָֽנוּ׃ “Har’enu Adonai chasdecha, ve-yesh’acha titen lanu” – (Show us Your kindness, Adonai, and grant us Your salvation). 37. Tehillim 85:13 – a blessing from Ha-Shem – kavanah on the Name ני׳׳ת גַּם־יְ֭הוָה יִתֵּ֣ן הַטּ֑וֹב וְ֝אַרְצֵ֗נוּ תִּתֵּ֥ן יְבוּלָֽהּ׃ “Gam Adonai yiten ha-tov, ve-artzenu titen yevulah” – (Adonai will also give what is good, and our land will yield its produce). 38. Tehillim 87:17 עֲשֵֽׂה־עִמִּ֥י א֗וֹת לְט֫וֹבָ֥ה וְיִרְא֣וּ שֹׂנְאַ֣י וְיֵבֹ֑שׁוּ כִּֽי־אַתָּ֥ה יְ֝הוָ֗ה עֲזַרְתַּ֥נִי וְנִחַמְתָּֽנִי׃ “Aseh imi ot le-tovah, ve-yir’u son’ai ve-yevoshוּ, ki atah Adonai azartani ve-nichamtani” – (Perform a sign of goodness for me; let those who hate me see it and be ashamed, for You, Adonai, have helped me and comforted me). 39. Tehillim 90:1 – transforming the situation – kavanah on the five occurrences of “nu,” corresponding to the five gevurot וִיהִ֤י ׀ נֹ֤עַם אֲדֹנָ֥י אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ עָ֫לֵ֥ינוּ וּמַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יָ֭דֵינוּ כּוֹנְנָ֥ה עָלֵ֑ינוּ וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יָ֝דֵ֗ינוּ כּוֹנְנֵֽהוּ׃ “Vihi no’am Adonai Eloheinu aleinu, u-ma’aseh yadeinu konenah aleinu, u-ma’aseh yadeinu konenehu” – (May the pleasantness of Adonai our G-d be upon us; establish for us the work of our hands—yes, establish the work of our hands). 40. Tehillim 91:10–12 – Heavenly protection לֹֽא־תְאֻנֶּ֣ה אֵלֶ֣יךָ רָעָ֑ה וְ֝נֶ֗גַע לֹא־יִקְרַ֥ב בְּאָהֳלֶֽךָ׃ יא כִּ֣י מַ֭לְאָכָיו יְצַוֶּה־לָּ֑ךְ לִ֝שְׁמָרְךָ֗ בְּכָל־דְּרָכֶֽיךָ׃ יב עַל־כַּפַּ֥יִם יִשָּׂא֑וּנְךָ פֶּן־תִּגֹּ֖ף בָּאֶ֣בֶן רַגְלֶֽךָ “Lo te’une elecha ra’ah, ve-nega lo yikrav be-aholecha. Ki mal’achav yetzaveh lach, lishmorcha bechol derachecha. Al kappayim yisa’uncha, pen tigof ba’even raglecha” – (No evil will befall you, and no plague will approach your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you on all your ways. They will carry you on their hands, lest your foot strike a stone). 41. Tehillim 108:7 – opening mazal – the final letters have the gematria 145, the Name הקם לְ֭מַעַן יֵחָלְצ֣וּן יְדִידֶ֑יךָ הוֹשִׁ֖יעָה יְמִֽינְךָ֣ וַעֲנֵֽנִי׃ “Lema’an yechaltzun yedidecha, hoshiah yeminecha va’aneni” – (So that Your beloved ones may be rescued, save with Your right hand and answer me). 42. Tehillim 113:6 – opening mazal – the Name הקם כִּֽי־לְעוֹלָ֥ם לֹא־יִמּ֑וֹט לְזֵ֥כֶר ע֝וֹלָ֗ם יִהְיֶ֥ה צַדִּֽיק׃ “Ki le-olam lo yิมוט, le-zecher olam yihyeh tzadik” – (For he will never falter; the righteous will be remembered forever). 43. Tehillim 116:16 – for tzarot אָֽנָּ֣ה יְהוָ֮ה כִּֽי־אֲנִ֪י עַ֫בְדֶּ֥ךָ אֲ‍ֽנִי־ע֭בְדְּךָ בֶּן־אֲמָתֶ֑ךָ פִּ֝תַּ֗חְתָּ לְמוֹסֵרָֽי “Anah Adonai, ki ani avdecha; ani avdecha ben amatecha, pitachta lemoserai” – (Please, Adonai, for I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have released my bonds). 44. Tehillim 118:16 – to bring good fortune יְמִ֣ין יְ֭הוָה רוֹמֵמָ֑ה יְמִ֥ין יְ֝הוָה עֹ֣שָׂה חָֽיִל׃ “Yemin Adonai romemah, yemin Adonai osah chayil” – (The right hand of Adonai is exalted; the right hand of Adonai performs mighty deeds). 45. Tehillim 119:89 – hamtakat dinim לְעוֹלָ֥ם יְהוָ֑ה דְּ֝בָרְךָ֗ נִצָּ֥ב בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ “Le-olam Adonai, devarecha nitzav ba-shamayim” – (Forever, Adonai, Your word stands firm in heaven). 46. Tehillim 119:121–122 – so that the blessing is not taken away עָ֭שִׂיתִי מִשְׁפָּ֣ט וָצֶ֑דֶק בַּל־תַּ֝נִּיחֵ֗נִי לְעֹֽשְׁקָֽי׃ קכב עֲרֹ֣ב עַבְדְּךָ֣ לְט֑וֹב אַֽל־יַעַשְׁקֻ֥נִי זֵדִֽים “Asiti mishpat va-tzedek, bal tanicheni le-oshkai. Arov avdecha le-tov, al ya’ashkuni zeidim” – (I have practiced justice and righteousness; do not abandon me to my oppressors. Guarantee Your servant’s welfare; let the arrogant not oppress me). 47. Tehillim 119 פָּ – silencing the enemies – 14 times 48. Tehillim 121 – assistance from Ha-Shem – מֵאַיִן (gematria 101) שִׁיר, לַמַּעֲלוֹת אֶשָּׂא עֵינַי, אֶל-הֶהָרִים מֵאַיִן, יָבֹא עֶזְרִי “Shir lama’alot, essa einai el he-harim, me-ayin yavo ezri” – (I lift my eyes to the mountains—from where will my help come?). 49. Tehillim 147:15 – stop at the word “ad” and contemplate salvation הַשֹּׁלֵ֣חַ אִמְרָת֣וֹ אָ֑רֶץ עַד־מְ֝הֵרָ֗ה יָר֥וּץ דְּבָרֽוֹ׃ “Ha-shole’ach imrato aretz, ad meherah yarutz devaro” – (He sends His word to the earth; His command runs swiftly).   (Shimush Tehillim based on the lessons of Rabbi Alexander Tzvi Sypkov and Rabbi Israel Yakobov)