Tehillim 79 – the cry of the Shechinah
The Zohar HaKadosh teaches that this psalm is not merely a lament, but a mystical cry of the Shechinah. The destruction of the Temple led to the exile of the Shechinah and the intermingling of the forces of Judgment and Mercy.
According to the Zohar, a person who recites Tehillim 79 joins the Shechinah in her lament, becomes an instrument of her redemption, and awakens Rachamim even where strict judgments prevail.
The Arizal (zechuto yagen aleinu) explains that Tehillim 79 operates in the world of Asiyah, where the harshest judgments prevail, and where the suffering that befalls people can be explained neither by logic nor by reason.
David HaMelech says: “I am not asking for myself—I am asking for the Shechinah.” Even if you recite this psalm out of personal pain, still say: “May this be for the sake of Your Shechinah, and not only for my own sake.” This immediately elevates the prayer.
David HaMelech says: “We are in concealment, but You have not abandoned us”—and this kavanah breaks the accusations Above.
The Arizal emphasizes that Tehillim 79 is not recited for the sake of “I.” Even one person reciting it should feel: “I am a part of Am Yisrael.”
The psalm begins with the word אֱלֹהִים - “Elokim” (strict judgment). This is not merely a Name—it is the key to the entire psalm, indicating that it concerns gevurot (judgments).
David HaMelech deliberately did not encode the psalm in the form of rashei tevot and sofei tevot that form the Names of Hashem, nor through other acronyms. At the moment of destruction, even the letters weep and do not wish to join together.
Reciting Tehillim 79 seven times
King David represents the sefirah of Malchut. Malchut is the seventh sefirah and is revealed through the six sefirot above it: Chesed, Gevurah, Tiferet, Netzach, Hod, Yesod.
When Malchut is below, in a state of descent, one must pass through every level of descent and elevate the Shechinah.
When you recite Tehillim 79 once, it is a cry. When you recite it seven times, it is an ascent.
Judgment cannot depart all at once—it withdraws in stages.
Seven is the minimum number at which Malchut can begin to rise.
According to the Zohar, the Shechinah has seven voices of weeping: seven forms of groaning, seven shades of lament, and seven levels of concealment.
Each recitation gives voice to one level and transforms it from a groan into a plea. On the seventh, the weeping is heard.
Rabbi Abimi and Rabbi Abbahu
The Gemara relates that once Rabbi Abimi stood beside Rabbi Abbahu with a glass of water, so that he could give it to him when he awoke.
For his care and “kibbud horim” (honoring parents), the secret of Tehillim 79 was revealed to him—why the Shechinah directs her anger at the stones of the Temple while the people remain alive.
This is the greatest lesson in honoring parents—it is a channel for spiritual understanding and for revealing the secrets of the Shechinah.
May we soon gather together in the rebuilt Temple!
