The Mystery of the First Four Psalms

The Mystery of the First Four Psalms – Zohar on Tehillim

The number of words in the first four Psalms is 310, which is the gematria of the word “keri” – קרי – (wasted seed). It is good to recite them after immersing in the mikveh. It is also good to recite them after the evening prayer on Yom Kippur, so that, chas v'shalom, this grave transgression does not occur on the holy night. The sum of the gematriot of the initial and final letters of these Psalms is 131 (together with the number of Psalms and the kolel), which is the gematria of the name of the angel “Samech Mem”. I noticed that this gematria, as well as the word 131 – צמא – “tzama” (thirst) – represents a force opposing the soul’s thirst: “tzama nafshi” – the soul’s yearning for G-d, while 130 is עין – “ayin” (eye) with the kolel. Thus, these Psalms help protect a person from all kinds of negative influences. It is good to recite these Psalms every morning to ensure protection throughout the day, since they contain a force that opposes the accusing angel. (From a personal conversation with Rabbi Tzvi Nisanzon, translator of the Zohar Ha-Kadosh)