Tehillim 119 and the Number 176

Tehillim 119 is composed of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, arranged as an eightfold alphabet. There are 8 verses for each letter, making a total of 176 verses. Parashat Naso—the longest parashah in the Torah—also contains 176 verses. There are likewise 176 folios in the largest tractate of the Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra—in fact, there are 175 folios, but since the Babylonian Talmud begins on page 2 (daf bet), it is counted as 176 folios. Why did David HaMelech choose the number 8 for this Psalm? This Psalm contains 8 key concepts: “Torah”—Law; “Edot”—Testimonies; “Pikudim”—Precepts; “Chukim”—Statutes; “Mitzvot”—Commandments; “Mishpatim”—Judgments; “Davar”—Word (revelation); “Imrah”—Word (promise); Most of these concepts are based on reason and wisdom. They are paths to attaining wisdom through the seven qualities of a person. But the number 8 is supernatural—beyond the limits of nature. It is interesting that the 176th mitzvah is to appoint judges and judicial officers (Devarim 16:18), and it is connected with the 8 concepts listed above. Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm not only in Tehillim, but in the entire Tanach. Imrei Noam writes that before Yaakov went out to meet Esav, he recited Psalm 119 for protection. Vayishlach (32:3): “Vayishlach Yaakov mal'achim lefanav el-Esav achiv artzah Seir sedeh Edom”—“And Yaakov sent angels ahead of him to Esav, his brother.” The gematria of the word “lefanav” is 176, alluding to the 176 pesukim of Tehillim 119. Rabbeinu Chida (may his merit protect us) teaches that the number 176, which is used by King David, stands against the spiritual forces that rule the world during the period of exile. These forces are symbolized by Esav’s grandson, whose name is Tzuf צפו and whose gematria is also 176. (Rabbeinu Chida, Yosef Tehillot 119:4) [It is interesting that “Polin”—Poland—in Hebrew פולין—also has the gematria 176. During the Holocaust, the most horrific death camps were located in Poland.] The Sages teach that Tehillim 119 has a special segula for Refuah Shleimah. The Mekubalim teach that when a person is ill, one should “Lehotzi et ha-dinim mimenu” (remove the judgments)—to eliminate the klipah of Tzuf (we know that Esav’s angel is the Samech-Mem).

Guidelines for Reciting Tehillim 119

1. For Refuah Shleimah: —recite Tehillim 119 according to the letters of the ill person’s name (the ill person’s name and the mother’s name), and afterward recite from the 42-letter Name קרע שטן “Kra Satan” (tear apart the Samech-Mem); 2. For Improving One’s Mazal: —recite Tehillim 119 according to the letters of the name (Name…ben/bat…mother’s name) and the word “Mazal”—מזל; 3. For Shalom Bayit: —recite Tehillim 119 according to the letters of the name and the letters of the phrase “Shalom Bayit”—שלום בית; 4. For the Elevation of the Soul: —recite Tehillim 119 according to the letters of the name and the word “Neshama”—נשמה. More details here: Reading Tehillim 119 According to the Letters of a Name—the Segula of Rabbeinu Chida (based on materials from Otzar HaHochma, Rabbeinu Chida’s “Avodat HaKodesh,” chapters 11 and 12:2, and Rabbi Moshe Abramovich)

Was this helpful?

100% of readers found this article helpful (104 votes).

Please note: some articles on our site contain the holy Names of the Almighty. If you print these articles, they may not be thrown away or destroyed. Please handle printed copies with care and respect.

Tags: The Hidden Meaning of Tehillim, Tehillim 119, Rabbeinu Chida, Tehillim 119 and the Number 176, Number 176

13 Aug 2020