Wonderful Virtues in the Recitation of Tehillim

The chapters of Tehillim were composed by King David through Ruach HaKodesh and were directed toward all of Israel in every generation. The recitation of Tehillim is a powerful segulah for yeshuah, refuah, parnassah, and an outpouring of rachamim in the world. The following are fifteen virtues associated with the recitation of Tehillim.

1. One who recites Tehillim receives reward as though engaged in in-depth Torah study

One who desires to cleave to HaKadosh Baruch Hu and His praises should attach himself to the Book of Tehillim. There is no greater matter than Sefer Tehillim, which encompasses all things, contains abundant praises to the Ribbono Shel Olam, includes many mizmorim of teshuvah, and many mizmorim of supplication for mechilah and selichah. All of this was arranged by David HaMelech through Ruach HaKodesh. One who recites Tehillim is considered as one who prays and also as one engaged in Torah study.

2. The recitation of Tehillim protects against the yetzer hara

Fortunate is the person who studies Tehillim, for King David requested that the recitation of Tehillim be effective in saving one from the imaginings of the yetzer hara.

3. Tehillim effect chesed and rachamim in the world

If one knew the power of the verses of Tehillim and their effect in the upper worlds, one would recite them at all times. Know that the mizmorim of Tehillim break through all barriers, ascend higher and higher without obstruction, and prostrate themselves before the Master of the Universe, effecting their action with chesed and rachamim.

4. Reciting the chapter corresponding to one’s age is a virtue for success and yiras shamayim

It is brought in the name of the Baal Shem Tov that through the recitation of Tehillim one can nullify kitrugim. It is further stated in his name that every person should recite the chapter of Tehillim corresponding to their age. It is also appropriate to recite the chapters corresponding to one’s children as a tefillah that their chinuch in yiras shamayim should succeed.

5. Reciting Tehillim daily brings many successes to the world

One should not regard lightly the establishment of a fixed daily portion of Tehillim, for they sever and cut away the kelipot so that they do not prosecute before one begins to daven. Through the recitation of Tehillim, many successes come into the world.

6. Precious virtues, elixirs of life, and keys to the gates of Heaven

This holy treasury is filled with every precious sanctity and all glory and strength. It contains all that we desire from ancient times. Every person may find in it every tefillah and supplication, every hoda’ah and praise, for every matter and every situation.

7. The mizmorim of Tehillim open the halls of rachamim

Fortunate is the person who studies Tehillim, for through them one can accomplish everything, and there is no Satan and no harmful force.

8. One who recites Tehillim with kavanah possesses a wonderful segulah for every matter

There is a tradition from tzaddikim to recite the entire Sefer Tehillim without interruption, and it is a segulah for every matter. This is explained as having no interruption at all from the heart to the mouth, so that all mizmorim are equal during their recitation.

9. Considered as though one fasted the entire week

Fortunate is the person who studies Tehillim, for there is a tradition from Rebbe Elimelech that one who recites Tehillim three times in a single day is considered as having fasted from Shabbos to Shabbos, and the reward is great.

10. Particularly auspicious times for Tehillim: Shabbos, Rosh Chodesh, Yom Tov, and the month of Elul

The recitation of Tehillim at these three times is exceedingly auspicious: on Shabbos, on Rosh Chodesh and Yom Tov, and above them all in Elul.

11. Advice for a special yeshuah – reciting the entire Sefer without interruption

For many matters that a person requires, such as parnassah and the like, or other challenges, one should recite the entire Tehillim from beginning to end without any interruption.

12. Attachment to HaShem and protection from lashon hara

There is great benefit for a person to become attached to his Creator, His Torah, and His mitzvos through Tehillim. They bring the one who studies them to humility and protect him from the grave sin of lashon hara.

13. Forgiveness of sins

When Israel engages in the recitation of Tehillim with a broken heart, HaKadosh Baruch Hu forgives them all their sins.

14. Tehillim are efficacious for teshuvah and for drawing down simchah and ruchniyus

One who wishes to merit teshuvah should be regular in the recitation of Tehillim, for the recitation of Tehillim is a segulah for teshuvah. Additionally, Sefer Tehillim is composed of ten types of melody, corresponding to the ten Sefiros, which have the power to rectify the ten powers of the soul and to draw into them ruchniyus and simchah.

15. The influence of good upon all of Israel

Through this, the source of the upper blessing is aroused, and one has the power to pray before HaShem to bestow all good things and blessings upon all of Israel, both in general and in particular, in ruchniyus and in gashmiyus, in life, sustenance, and healing.