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TORAH
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
NEVI'IM
PROPHETS
KETUVIM
WRITINGS

Chapter 61

Translation and Transliteration of 

Listen to this chapter in Hebrew:

1For the leader; with instrumental music. Of David.

אלַמְנַצֵּחַ עַל־נְגִינַת לְדָוִד׃

2Hear my cry, O Hashem, heed my prayer.

בשִׁמְעָה אֱלֹהִים רִנָּתִי הַקְשִׁיבָה תְּפִלָּתִי׃

3From the end of the earth I call to You; when my heart is faint, You lead me to a rock that is high above me.

גמִקְצֵה הָאָרֶץ אֵלֶיךָ אֶקְרָא בַּעֲטֹף לִבִּי בְּצוּר־יָרוּם מִמֶּנִּי תַנְחֵנִי׃

4For You have been my refuge, a tower of strength against the enemy.

kee ha-YEE-ta makh-SEH LEE mig-dal OZ mi-p'-NAY o-YAYV

דכִּי־הָיִיתָ מַחְסֶה לִי מִגְדַּל־עֹז מִפְּנֵי אוֹיֵב׃

 61:4   Tower of strength

In the early period of Zionism, Jews sought to build up the Land of Israel, setting up agricultural settlements and hoping to live in peace with their neighbors in the Holy Land. In 1927, a group of Jews formed an association, purchased a plot of land south of Beit Lechem, settled there and called their new community Migdal Eder, the name of a biblical-era place in the same area which Yaakov passed on his journeys through the land. Unfortunately, during the Arab riots in 1929, the settlement was destroyed. Fifty years later, a new kibbutz (collective agricultural community) was established on the same site. It was given a similar name to its predecessor, which was taken from this verse in Psalm 61, in which David describes Hashem as his migdal oz, ‘tower of strength,’ against his enemies. Today, Migdal Oz has grown substantially. The main agricultural pursuits of this religious kibbutz include turkey coops, a dairy, fruit orchards and olive farming. In addition, it hosts a women’s seminary for advanced Torah study.

5O that I might dwell in Your tent forever, take refuge under Your protecting wings. Selah.

האָגוּרָה בְאָהָלְךָ עוֹלָמִים אֶחֱסֶה בְסֵתֶר כְּנָפֶיךָ סֶּלָה׃

6O Hashem, You have heard my vows; grant the request of those who fear Your name.

וכִּי־אַתָּה אֱלֹהִים שָׁמַעְתָּ לִנְדָרָי נָתַתָּ יְרֻשַּׁת יִרְאֵי שְׁמֶךָ׃

7Add days to the days of the king; may his years extend through generations;

זיָמִים עַל־יְמֵי־מֶלֶךְ תּוֹסִיף שְׁנוֹתָיו כְּמוֹ־דֹר וָדֹר׃

8may he dwell in Hashem's presence forever; appoint steadfast love to guard him.

חיֵשֵׁב עוֹלָם לִפְנֵי אֱלֹהִים חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת מַן יִנְצְרֻהוּ׃

9So I will sing hymns to Your name forever, as I fulfill my vows day after day.

טכֵּן אֲזַמְּרָה שִׁמְךָ לָעַד לְשַׁלְּמִי נְדָרַי יוֹם יוֹם׃