Rabbi Shefa Gold

Category: Psalms

  • Here’s the Question

    Mi Yishkon b’har kodshecha
    Holechet tamim u’fo-elet tzedek; doveret emet bilvava
    Graphic: Here's the Question in Hebrew
    Question: Who will dwell upon Your holy mountain; who will live in Your light?
    Answer: Whoever walks in simplicity and integrity; whoever makes justice; whoever speaks the truth that is in her heart. (Psalm 15:1-2)
    [Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 15 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

    This Psalm asks a question and then searches for an answer. Each of us must find our own answer to this question. The words of the chant provide my answer:

    Who will dwell upon Your holy mountain; who will live in Your light? (2X)
    When I walk in whole-hearted simplicity; when I do what’s right;
    When I speak the truth, speak the truth in my heart….
    I Am There!

    Who will dwell upon Your holy mountain; who will live in Your light? (2X)
    When I sit down in equanimity; when I turn towards the Light;
    When my heart is full, when my heart is filled with your love….
    I Am There!

    Who will dwell upon Your holy mountain; who will live in Your light? (2X)
    When I lie down in vulnerability; when I lay my blame aside;
    When I love the world, when I love the world as it is….
    I Am There!

    Who will dwell upon Your holy mountain; who will live in Your light? (2X)
    Holechet tamim, Holechet tamim u’fo-elet tzedek;
    doveret emet, emet bilvava….
    I Am There!

    Who will dwell upon Your holy mountain; who will live in Your light? (2X)
    I Am There!

    To hear the chant, use the audio player. To download the chant, right-click the note and save (or download) the linked MP3 file.

    NOTE: This recording includes piano accompaniment.

    To download the PDF file for this chant, click Here’s the Question PDF. For the musical notation, click Here’s the Question notation PDF.

  • Shiviti

    Shiviti Shechina l’negdi tamid
    Graphic: Shiviti in Hebrew
    I set the Presence of the Divine before me always. (Psalm 16:8)
    [Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 16 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

    This is an important sacred phrase that guides us towards the continuity of practice. Our practice is meant to serve as the foundation of awareness underlying our every thought, word and deed… giving meaning to our lives. Keeping the awareness of God’s Presence front and center, truly changes everything. That awareness serves as a constant reminder to open to guidance and blessing, and to keep the egoic mind from taking us hostage with its fearful meanderings. The way it seems to work for me is that I am often losing that awareness and returning to it again and again. Each return strengthens my commitment to awaken to the truth of Connection to Oneness.

    To hear the chant, use the audio player. To download the chant, right-click the note and save (or download) the linked MP3 file.

    NOTE: This recording is from the Chants Encounter CD.

    To download the PDF file for this chant, click Shiviti PDF. For the musical notation, click Shiviti notation PDF.

  • Forever Love

    Hodu laylohay ha’Elohim Ki l’olam chasdo
    Hodu la’AdonayHa’Adonim Ki l’olam chasdo
    Graphic: Forever Love in Hebrew
    Praise the God of gods, whose steadfast love is Forever.
    Praise the Lord of lords, whose steadfast love is Forever. (Psalm 136:2)
    [Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 136 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

    We are loved unconditionally with a forever love. Many religious traditions make a terrible mistake by planting in us the idea that when bad things happen to us, it somehow means that God has withdrawn Her Love, that we are being punished or have been abandoned. Then, on top of our painful situation, we suffer shame for not being “good enough” or deserving of God’s love. Then when good things happen, we may make the mistake of feeling entitled or “better than” others who are less fortunate.

    The forever love is steadfast, holding us through all that it means to be human- the blessings and the challenges. In praise, we open to that love, leaning into the Divine embrace.

    To hear the chants, use the audio players. To download a chant, right-click a note and save (or download) the linked MP3 file.

    To download the PDF file for this chant, click Forever Love PDF. For the musical notation, click Forever Love notation PDF.

  • The Exultation of the Heart

    Vaya’aloz libi Umishiri ahodenu
    Graphic: The Exultation of the Heart in Hebrew
    When my heart exults, I will praise (God) with my song. (Psalm 28:7)
    [Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 28 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

    When my heart feels calm, soothed, vibrant, connected and whole, it will just naturally exult. When my heart exults, glorying in Life-itself, reveling in the miracle of aliveness, I look for a way to express that joy, and pour it into my song, and my song becomes my life. When I am connected to Source, my song receives the overflow of that connection and then enlivens me further. Then I can live from a place of generosity, knowing myself as a channel for the Divine flow. So, if I want to live this way, I must first take care of my heart.

    To hear the chants, use the audio players. To download a chant, right-click a note and save (or download) the linked MP3 file.

    To download the PDF file for this chant, click The Exultation of the Heart PDF.

  • Waiting (Dom)

    Dom l’Yah v’hitcholayl lo
    Graphic: Waiting/Dom in Hebrew
    Be still/silent and wait for God. (Psalm 37:7)
    [Click (or tap) to see the entire Psalm 37 in Hebrew and English (JPS 1985).]

    Our spiritual maturity depends on the ability to be still, to be silent, and to live at ease with uncertainty. Waiting for God means we are not in control of the timing of life’s unfolding or the flow of Grace. Yet we can find our stillness and open to that flow. The word for waiting וְהִתְח֢וֹלֵֽ֫ל shares a root that is related to dancing, writhing and birthing… so that stillness is found through intense movement. Our silence is found through dynamic sound. And we find our patience by surrendering to “what is,” moment by moment.

    To hear the chants, use the audio players. To download a chant, right-click a note and save (or download) the linked MP3 file.

    To download the PDF file for this chant, click Waiting (Dom) PDF.