Where does the idea of 'five books of Moshe' appear?
Not in Torah. Not in Tanach. Not in Pseudepigrapha. Not in the words of the Anshei Knesset Hagedola
It is not found in the Mishna but in Midrash. First, a source outside of Rabbinic tradition--Josephus!
(א) כי לא רבבות ספרים נמצאו בידינו, ולא ספרים מכחישים זה את זה ונחלקים ביניהם, רק עשרים ושנים ספרים כוללים את כל כתיבת הזמן ההוא, ובצדק נאמנים הם (בעינינו) כספרי אלקים. חמשה מן הספרים הם למשה, ובהם נמצאו החוקים וגם מסורת (תולדות העולם) מבריאת האדם עד יום מותו (של משה) – וזה הוא כמעט זמן שלושת אלפים שנה. וממות משה עד ימי ארתחששתּא, מלך פרס, המולך אחרי אחשורוש, כתבו הנביאים הבאים אחרי משה את מעשי זמנם בשלושה עשר ספרים, וארבעת הספרים הנשארים כוללים מזמורים לאלקים ולקח־חיים לבני האדם. ומימי ארתחששתא עד זמננו זה, נכתבו כל מיני ספרים, אך לא זכו להאמן עלינו כספרים הקודמים להם, כי לא קמו עוד יורשים כשרים לנביאים, והמעשים מוכיחים, עד כמה אנו שמים לב לספרינו. כי בדורות הרבים שעברו עליהם, לא ערב איש את לבו להוסיף על הספרים, ולא לגרוע מהם, וגם לא לשנות בהם דבר, כי בלב כל איש יהודי נטועה מראשית בריאתו האמונה בספרים האלה, כי הם דברי אלקים, והוא קיבל עליו להחזיק בהם, וגם למות עליהם בשמחה, בשעת הצורך.
(1) For we have not an innumerable multitude of books among us, disagreeing from and contradicting one another, [as the Greeks have,] but only twenty-two books, which contain the records of all the past times; which are justly believed to be divine; and of them five belong to Moses, which contain his laws and the traditions of the origin of mankind till his death. This interval of time was little short of three thousand years; but as to the time from the death of Moses till the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, who reigned after Xerxes, the prophets, who were after Moses, wrote down what was done in their times in thirteen books. The remaining four books contain hymns to God, and precepts for the conduct of human life. It is true, our history hath been written since Artaxerxes very particularly, but hath not been esteemed of the like authority with the former by our forefathers, because there hath not been an exact succession of prophets since that time; and how firmly we have given credit to these books of our own nation is evident by what we do; for during so many ages as have already passed, no one has been so bold as either to add any thing to them, to take any thing from them, or to make any change in them; but it is become natural to all Jews immediately, and from their very birth, to esteem these books to contain Divine doctrines, and to persist in them, and, if occasion be willingly to die for them.
Talmud Yerushalmi compiled in Israel between the 3rd and 5th centuries
דִּבְרֵי חֲכָמִים כַּדָּרְבֹנוֹת וּכְמַשְׂמְרוֹת נְטוּעִים בַּעֲלֵי אֲסֻפּוֹת נִתְּנוּ מֵרֹעֶה אֶחָד
וּכְמַסְמְרוֹת נְטוּעִ֖ים. מַשְׂמֵרוֹת כָּתוּב. מַה מִשְׁמָרוֹת עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה אַף הַמַּסְמֵרִים עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה. כַּמָּה מַסְמֵרִים יְהוּ בָהּ. רִבִּי יוֹחָנָן אָמַר. חֲמִשָּׁה. כְּנֶגֶד חֲמִשָּׁה חוּמְשֵׁי תוֹרָה.
\ Another explanation, and like planted nails; it is written watches. Since there are 24 watches, there should be 24 nails. How many nails should it have? Rebbi Joḥanan said five, corresponding to the five books of the Torah. .
The Bavli was compiled from the 3rd to 6th centuries in Babylonia where the main Yeshivot of Jewish scholarship were found.
Rav Adda, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, said: Had Israel not sinned in earlier times they would have been given the five books of the Torah and the book of Joshua alone. They needed the book of Joshua because it includes the arrangement of Eretz Yisrael.
Midrash Tehillim makes the fundamental connection between Moshe and David and lists their parallel lives--both of them producing FIVE BOOKS
*Midrash Tehillim, a compilation of interpretations on Tehillim is dated roughly to the middle of the first millennium.
וזאת תורת האדם אברהם יצחק ויעקב אין כתיב כאן. אלא תורת האדם. ומי הוא משובח שבנביאים ומשובח שבמלכים. משובח שבנביאים זה משה. משובח שבמלכים זה דוד. את מוצא שכל מה שעשה משה עשה דוד. משה הוציא את ישראל ממצרים. ודוד הוציא את ישראל משעבוד מלכיות. משה עשה מלחמות בסיחון ועוג. ודוד עשה מלחמותיו של הקב"ה שנאמר (שמואל-א כה כח) כי מלחמות ה' אדוני נלחם. משה מלך על ישראל ויהודה שנאמר (דברים לג ה) ויהי בישורון מלך. ודוד מלך על ישראל ויהודה. משה קרע להם את הים. ודוד קרע להם את הנהרות שנאמר (תהלים ס ב) בהצותו את ארם נהרים. משה בנה מזבח. ודוד בנה מזבח. זה הקריב וזה הקריב. משה נתן להם חמשה חומשי תורה. וכנגדם נתן להם דוד ספר תהלים שיש בו חמשה ספרים. אשרי האיש. למנצח משכיל. מזמור לאסף. תפלה למשה. יאמרו גאולי. משה בירך את ישראל באשריך. ודוד בירך באשרי. (משלי ח ח) בצדק כל אמרי פי אין בהם נפתל ועקש. אין בהם לא קפדנות ולא עקמנות. מצינו שעקם הכתוב שתים ושלש אותיות ולא הוציא דבר מגונה מפיו שנאמר (בראשית ז ח) מן הבהמה הטהורה ומן הבהמה אשר איננה טהורה. אמר רבי יודן בר' מנשיא אף כשבא לפתוח בסימני טהרה. (ויקרא יא ד) את הגמל כי לא מפריס פרסה אין כתיב כאן אלא כי מעלה גרה. (שם ז) ואת החזיר כי לא מעלה גרה אין כתיב כאן אלא כי מפריס פרסה. אמר דוד אף הקב"ה העיד עלי ואמר (שמואל-א יג יד) בקש ה' לו איש כלבבו. וכינה שמו לבוראו מה בוראו לא מוציא דבר מגונה מפיו אף דוד כן. היה לו לומר ארור האיש אשר הלך בעצת רשעים או אשרי האיש אשר הלך בעצת צדיקים. ולא אמר אלא לא הלך. כיוצא בדבר אתה אומר (ירמיה טו א) אם יעמוד משה ושמואל. אתה מוצא שכל מה שכתוב בזה כתוב בזה. זה לוי וזה לוי. זה בנה מזבח וזה בנה מזבח. זה הקריב וזה הקריב. זה מלך וזה מלך. וכן הוא אומר (דברים יח טו) נביא מקרבך מאחיך כמוני יקים. וכן תמצא בירמיה. מה שכתוב בזה כתוב בזה. כיוצא בדבר דוד ושלמה. מה שכתוב בזה כתוב בזה. רבי יודן אומר המזמור הזה משובח מכל המזמורים:
(2) Another interpretation [of "Happy is the man"] - this refers to David... And the Torah of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is not written here, but the Torah of man. And who is the most praiseworthy among the prophets and the most praiseworthy among the kings? The most praiseworthy among the prophets is Moses. The most praiseworthy among the kings is David. You find that everything Moses did, David did. Moses brought Israel out of Egypt, and David brought Israel out of the bondage of kingdoms. Moses fought wars against Sihon and Og, and David fought the wars of the Lord, as it is said (1 Samuel 25:28), "For the wars of the Lord, my lord fights." Moses ruled over Israel and Judah, as it is said (Deuteronomy 33:5), 'He was king in Jeshurun.' And David ruled over Israel and Judah. Moses parted the sea for them, and David parted the rivers for them, as it is said (Psalm 78:13), 'He divided the sea and made them pass through, and he made the waters stand like a heap.' Moses built an altar, and David built an altar. This one sacrificed, and that one sacrificed. Moses gave them the five books of the Torah, and in exchange, David gave them the Book of Psalms, which contains five books: 'Happy is the man,' 'To the conductor,' 'A psalm of Asaph,' 'A prayer of Moses,' and 'Let my Redeemer say.' Moses blessed Israel with 'Happy are you,' and David blessed with 'Happy is he' (Proverbs 8:8), 'All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; nothing crooked or twisted is in them.' We find that the Torah used euphemisms for unclean animals, saying 'from the animal that is pure and from the animal that is impure' (Genesis 7:8), and Rabbi Yudan said in the name of Rabbi Menashe: 'Even when it comes to opening up topics of purity, it says about the camel, 'because it does not chew the cud,' and not 'because it is unclean,' and about the pig, 'because it has a split hoof,' and not 'because it is unclean.' David also testified about himself and said (1 Samuel 13:14), 'The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart,' and he called his Creator 'his Maker.' Just as His Maker does not utter anything unseemly, so David also did not utter anything unseemly. He could have said, 'Cursed is the man who walks in the counsel of the wicked,' or 'Blessed is the man who walks in the counsel of the righteous.'"
So what are these five books? Why are we convinced they exist?
1. Psalms 1-41
or taken the path of sinners,
or joined the company of the insolent;
(א) לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד׃ (ב) אַ֭שְׁרֵי מַשְׂכִּ֣יל אֶל־דָּ֑ל בְּי֥וֹם רָ֝עָ֗ה יְֽמַלְּטֵ֥הוּ ה'׃ (יג) וַאֲנִ֗י בְּ֭תֻמִּי תָּמַ֣כְתָּ בִּ֑י וַתַּצִּיבֵ֖נִי לְפָנֶ֣יךָ לְעוֹלָֽם׃ (יד) בָּ֘ר֤וּךְ ה' ׀ אֱלֹ֘קֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל מֵֽ֭הָעוֹלָם וְעַ֥ד הָעוֹלָ֗ם אָ֘מֵ֥ן ׀ וְאָמֵֽן׃
1. For the leader. A psalm of David. (2) Happy is he who is thoughtful of the wretched;13) You will support me because of my integrity, and let me abide in Your presence forever. (14) Blessed is the LORD, God of Israel, from eternity to eternity. Amen and Amen.
2. Psalms 42-72
(18) Blessed is the LORD God, God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things; (19) Blessed is His glorious name forever;
His glory fills the whole world.
Amen and Amen. (20) End of the prayers of David son of Jesse.
3. Psalms 73-89
(53) Blessed is the LORD forever;
Amen and Amen.
4. Psalms 90-106
(48) Blessed is the LORD, God of Israel,
From eternity to eternity.
Let all the people say, “Amen.”
Hallelujah.
5. psalms 107-150
(כא) תְּהִלַּ֥ת ה' יְֽדַבֶּ֫ר־פִּ֥י וִיבָרֵ֣ךְ כׇּל־בָּ֭שָׂר שֵׁ֥ם קׇדְשׁ֗וֹ לְעוֹלָ֥ם וָעֶֽד׃ {פ}
תהילים ק״נ:ו׳
(ו) כֹּ֣ל הַ֭נְּשָׁמָה תְּהַלֵּ֥ל יָ֗הּ הַֽלְלוּ־יָֽהּ׃
(21) My mouth shall utter the praise of the LORD, and all creatures shall bless His holy name forever and ever.
Psalms 150:6
(6) Let all that breathes praise the LORD.
Hallelujah.
We see a natural conclusion at each of these chapters but is there any way to see five separate themes to justify the five books?
Rabbi Ovadiah Seforno 1475-1550 Bologna (Studied medicine in Rome, a philosopher, and writer)
Commentary to Psalms:
על כן יסד המלך דוד ספרו זה על אדושם תהילה ותפילה ותודה ווידוי.
ובכן חילק המחבר הנזכר את ספרו זה לחמישה חלקים, והיה הסיום בכל אחד מהם בברכת האל יתברך על היותו טוב ומטיב, אשר בהכרת זה תהיה האהבה המכוונת בלי ספק.
החלק הראשון, כולו מזמורים חיברם דוד, מספרים תהילות האל יתברך שהפליא לעשות עמו נגד הטבע, וחתם במזמור (מא) מְסַפֵּר איך מצא חן תרופת חליו אחר כל יאוש בחמלת ה׳ עליו.
ובחלק השני חיבר תפילות, קצתם לבני קורח וקצתם לעצמו, וחתם באמרו (עב כ) ׳כלו תפילות דוד בן ישי׳.
ובחלק השלישי שָׂם מיני תודה על חסדי האל יתברך וטובו תמיד, והגיד סיבת (מערכת) [מניעת] השפעתו מצד המקבלים, וחתם במזמור כולל זה באמרו (פט ב) ׳חסדי ה׳ עולם אשירה׳.
ובחלק הרביעי ממנו שָׂם מיני וידוי, קצתם למשה רבינו וקצתם למחבר, וחתם במזמור מזכיר חטאות הציבור והיחיד שהיו סיבת פורענות וגלות, עם תקוות תשועה מהם בתשובה.
ובחלק החמישי שָׂם מזמורים מבשרים קיבוץ גלויות וגאולה משעבוד מלכויות, ומפלת גוג ומגוג, ותשועת המשיח, עם תודות ושיר חדש, ותפילות על הרבים שיזכו לזה, וחש עתידות למו.
First Part, 1–41: Praises of God’s Creation (Tehilot)--all were composed by David, and they tell the stories of praise of God which were performed against nature. Thus the final psalm (41) tells of God's healing him even after having given up on himself.
Second Part, 42–72: Prayers (Tefilot)--some by David, some by sons of Korach, ending with 'kalu'.
Third Part, 73–89: Psalms of Thanksgiving (Todah)--all types of Thanksgiving ending with psalm 89:2 in which he sings 'kindness of God I will forever sing'.
Fourth Part, 90–106: Confessions (Viduy)--Some by Moshe and some by David, concluding with sins of the community and the individual which was the cause of suffering and exile, but with hope of return.
Fifth Part, 107–150: Psalms that herald redemption and the coming of the Messiah, with prayers for those who will be salvaged.
Psalms 1-41--Davidic; Historic; Pathos: Personal; Desperation; Some philosophy too; First psalm starts with Ashrei, last psalm in section also begins with Ashrei. Some examples of book 1:
(2) How long, O LORD; will You ignore me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me? (3) How long will I have cares on my mind,
grief in my heart all day?
How long will my enemy have the upper hand? (4) Look at me, answer me, O LORD, my God!
Restore the luster to my eyes,
lest I sleep the sleep of death; (5) lest my enemy say, “I have overcome him,”
my foes exult when I totter. (6) But I trust in Your faithfulness,
my heart will exult in Your deliverance.
I will sing to the LORD,
for He has been good to me.
Sometimes Psalms answer previous ones!
Vindicate me, O LORD,
for I have walked without blame;
I have trusted in the LORD;
I have not faltered. (2) Probe me, O LORD, and try me,
test my heart and mind;-a (3) for my eyes are on Your steadfast love;
I have set my course by it.-b (4) I do not consort with scoundrels,
or mix with hypocrites; (5) I detest the company of evil men,
and do not consort with the wicked; (6) I wash my hands in innocence,
and walk around Your altar, O LORD, (7) raising my voice in thanksgiving,
and telling all Your wonders. (8) O LORD, I love Your temple abode,
the dwelling-place of Your glory. (9) Do not sweep me away with sinners,
or [snuff out] my life with murderers, (10) who have schemes at their fingertips,
and hands full of bribes. (11) But I walk without blame;
redeem me, have mercy on me! (12) My feet are on level ground.
In assemblies I will bless the LORD.
(2) The heavens declare the glory of God,
the sky proclaims His handiwork. (3) Day to day makes utterance,
night to night speaks out. (4) There is no utterance,
there are no words,
whose sound goes unheard.-a (5) Their voice carries throughout the earth,
their words to the end of the world.
He placed in them a tent for the sun, (6) who is like a groom coming forth from the chamber,
like a hero, eager to run his course. (7) His rising-place is at one end of heaven,
and his circuit reaches the other;
nothing escapes his heat.
(8) The teaching of the LORD is perfect,
renewing life;
the decrees of the LORD are enduring,
making the simple wise; (9) The precepts of the LORD are just,
rejoicing the heart;
the instruction of the LORD is lucid,
making the eyes light up. (10) The fear of the LORD is pure,
abiding forever;
the judgments of the LORD are true,
righteous altogether, (11) more desirable than gold,
than much fine gold;
sweeter than honey,
than drippings of the comb. (12) Your servant pays them heed;
in obeying them there is much reward. (13) Who can be aware of errors?
Clear me of unperceived guilt, (14) and from willful sins-d keep Your servant;
let them not dominate me;
then shall I be blameless
and clear of grave offense. (15) May the words of my mouth
and the prayer of my heart
be acceptable to You,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Section 2. Sons of Korach psalms. Flowery; the word Maskil; Topics relating to Metaphysical issues--God, Death, Marriage, Destruction, Israel. The remaining psalms revert back to David and give us some of the most dramatic depictions of his life and relationship with God. We are introduced to chorus.
(2) Like a hind crying for water,
my soul cries for You, O God; (3) my soul thirsts for God, the living God;
O when will I come to appear before God! (4) My tears have been my food day and night;
I am ever taunted with, “Where is your God?” (5) When I think of this, I pour out my soul:
how I walked with the crowd, moved with them,-b
the festive throng, to the House of God
with joyous shouts of praise. (6) Why so downcast, my soul,
why disquieted within me?
Have hope in God;
I will yet praise Him
for His saving presence.-c
(7) O my God, my soul is downcast;
therefore I think of You
in this land of Jordan and Hermon,
in Mount Mizar, (8) where deep calls to deep
in the roar of Your cataracts;-b
all Your breakers and billows have swept over me. (9) By day may the LORD vouchsafe His faithful care,
so that at night a song to Him may be with me,
a prayer to the God of my life. (10) I say to God, my rock,
“Why have You forgotten me,
why must I walk in gloom,
oppressed by my enemy?” (11) Crushing my bones,-b
my foes revile me,
taunting me always with, “Where is your God?” (12) Why so downcast, my soul,
why disquieted within me?
Have hope in God;
I will yet praise Him,
my ever-present help, my God.
(2) The LORD is great and much acclaimed
in the city of our God,
His holy mountain— (3) fair-crested, joy of all the earth,
Mount Zion, summit of Zaphon,
city of the great king. (4) Through its citadels, God has made Himself known as a haven. (5) See, the kings joined forces;
they advanced together. (6) At the mere sight of it they were stunned,
they were terrified, they panicked; (7) they were seized there with a trembling,
like a woman in the throes of labor, (8) as the Tarshish fleet was wrecked
in an easterly gale. (9) The likes of what we heard we have now witnessed
in the city of the LORD of hosts,
in the city of our God—
may God preserve it forever! Selah.
(10) In Your temple, God,
we meditate upon Your faithful care. (11) The praise of You, God, like Your name,
reaches to the ends of the earth;
Your right hand is filled with beneficence. (12) Let Mount Zion rejoice!
Let the towns of Judah exult,
because of Your judgments.
(13) Walk around Zion,
circle it;
count its towers, (14) take note of its ramparts;
go through-d its citadels,
that you may recount it to a future age. (15) For God—He is our God forever;
He will lead us evermore.-d
(2) May God be gracious to us and bless us;
may He show us favor, selah (3) that Your way be known on earth,
Your deliverance among all nations.
(4) Peoples will praise You, O God;
all peoples will praise You. (5) Nations will exult and shout for joy,
for You rule the peoples with equity,
You guide the nations of the earth. Selah. (6) The peoples will praise You, O God;
all peoples will praise You.
(7) May the earth yield its produce;
may God, our God, bless us. (8) May God bless us,
and be revered to the ends of the earth.
3. Asaf. Psalms will be darker, exploring more challenging themes, desperation, personal responsibility and the pain of punishment. I choose as example psalm 73. A complicated treatise on theodicy!
(א) מִזְמ֗וֹר לְאָ֫סָ֥ף אַ֤ךְ ט֖וֹב לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל אֱלֹקִ֗ים לְבָרֵ֥י לֵבָֽב׃ (ב) וַאֲנִ֗י כִּ֭מְעַט (נטוי) [נָטָ֣יוּ] רַגְלָ֑י כְּ֝אַ֗יִן (שפכה) [שֻׁפְּכ֥וּ] אֲשֻׁרָֽי׃ (ג) כִּֽי־קִ֭נֵּאתִי בַּהוֹלְלִ֑ים שְׁל֖וֹם רְשָׁעִ֣ים אֶרְאֶֽה׃ (ד) כִּ֤י אֵ֖ין חַרְצֻבּ֥וֹת לְמוֹתָ֗ם וּבָרִ֥יא אוּלָֽם׃ (ה) בַּעֲמַ֣ל אֱנ֣וֹשׁ אֵינֵ֑מוֹ וְעִם־אָ֝דָ֗ם לֹ֣א יְנֻגָּֽעוּ׃ (ו) לָ֭כֵן עֲנָקַ֣תְמוֹ גַאֲוָ֑ה יַעֲטָף־שִׁ֝֗ית חָמָ֥ס לָֽמוֹ׃ (ז) יָ֭צָא מֵחֵ֣לֶב עֵינֵ֑מוֹ עָ֝בְר֗וּ מַשְׂכִּיּ֥וֹת לֵבָֽב׃ (ח) יָמִ֤יקוּ ׀ וִידַבְּר֣וּ בְרָ֣ע עֹ֑שֶׁק מִמָּר֥וֹם יְדַבֵּֽרוּ׃ (ט) שַׁתּ֣וּ בַשָּׁמַ֣יִם פִּיהֶ֑ם וּ֝לְשׁוֹנָ֗ם תִּהֲלַ֥ךְ בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ (י) לָכֵ֤ן ׀ (ישיב) [יָשׁ֣וּב] עַמּ֣וֹ הֲלֹ֑ם וּמֵ֥י מָ֝לֵ֗א יִמָּ֥צוּ לָֽמוֹ׃ (יא) וְֽאָמְר֗וּ אֵיכָ֥ה יָדַֽע־אֵ֑ל וְיֵ֖שׁ דֵּעָ֣ה בְעֶלְיֽוֹן׃ (יב) הִנֵּה־אֵ֥לֶּה רְשָׁעִ֑ים וְשַׁלְוֵ֥י ע֝וֹלָ֗ם הִשְׂגּוּ־חָֽיִל׃ (יג) אַךְ־רִ֭יק זִכִּ֣יתִי לְבָבִ֑י וָאֶרְחַ֖ץ בְּנִקָּי֣וֹן כַּפָּֽי׃ (יד) וָאֱהִ֣י נָ֭גוּעַ כׇּל־הַיּ֑וֹם וְ֝תוֹכַחְתִּ֗י לַבְּקָרִֽים׃ (טו) אִם־אָ֭מַרְתִּי אֲסַפְּרָ֥ה כְמ֑וֹ הִנֵּ֤ה ד֖וֹר בָּנֶ֣יךָ בָגָֽדְתִּי׃ (טז) וָ֭אֲחַשְּׁבָה לָדַ֣עַת זֹ֑את עָמָ֖ל (היא) [ה֣וּא] בְעֵינָֽי׃ (יז) עַד־אָ֭בוֹא אֶל־מִקְדְּשֵׁי־אֵ֑ל אָ֝בִ֗ינָה לְאַחֲרִיתָֽם׃ (יח) אַ֣ךְ בַּ֭חֲלָקוֹת תָּשִׁ֣ית לָ֑מוֹ הִ֝פַּלְתָּ֗ם לְמַשּׁוּאֽוֹת׃ (יט) אֵ֤יךְ הָי֣וּ לְשַׁמָּ֣ה כְרָ֑גַע סָ֥פוּ תַ֝֗מּוּ מִן־בַּלָּהֽוֹת׃ (כ) כַּחֲל֥וֹם מֵהָקִ֑יץ אדושם בָּעִ֤יר ׀ צַלְמָ֬ם תִּבְזֶֽה׃ (כא) כִּ֭י יִתְחַמֵּ֣ץ לְבָבִ֑י וְ֝כִלְיוֹתַ֗י אֶשְׁתּוֹנָֽן׃ (כב) וַאֲנִי־בַ֭עַר וְלֹ֣א אֵדָ֑ע בְּ֝הֵמ֗וֹת הָיִ֥יתִי עִמָּֽךְ׃ (כג) וַאֲנִ֣י תָמִ֣יד עִמָּ֑ךְ אָ֝חַ֗זְתָּ בְּיַד־יְמִינִֽי׃ (כד) בַּעֲצָתְךָ֥ תַנְחֵ֑נִי וְ֝אַחַ֗ר כָּב֥וֹד תִּקָּחֵֽנִי׃ (כה) מִי־לִ֥י בַשָּׁמָ֑יִם וְ֝עִמְּךָ֗ לֹֽא־חָפַ֥צְתִּי בָאָֽרֶץ׃ (כו) כָּלָ֥ה שְׁאֵרִ֗י וּלְבָ֫בִ֥י צוּר־לְבָבִ֥י וְחֶלְקִ֗י אֱלֹקִ֥ים לְעוֹלָֽם׃ (כז) כִּֽי־הִנֵּ֣ה רְחֵקֶ֣יךָ יֹאבֵ֑דוּ הִ֝צְמַ֗תָּה כׇּל־זוֹנֶ֥ה מִמֶּֽךָּ׃ (כח) וַאֲנִ֤י ׀ קִ֥רְבַ֥ת אֱלֹקִ֗ים לִ֫י־ט֥וֹב שַׁתִּ֤י ׀ בַּאדושם ה' מַחְסִ֑י לְ֝סַפֵּ֗ר כׇּל־מַלְאֲכוֹתֶֽיךָ׃ {פ}
God is truly good to Israel,
to those whose heart is pure. (2) As for me, my feet had almost strayed,
my steps were nearly led off course, (3) for I envied the wanton;
I saw the wicked at ease. (4) Death has no pangs for them;
their body is healthy. (5) They have no part in the travail of men;
they are not afflicted like the rest of mankind. (6) So pride adorns their necks,
lawlessness enwraps them as a mantle. (7) Fat shuts out their eyes;
their fancies are extravagant.-a (8) They scoff and plan evil;
from their eminence they plan wrongdoing. (9) They set their mouths against heaven,
and their tongues range over the earth. (10) So they pound His people again and again,
until they are drained of their very last tear.-a (11) Then they say, “How could God know?
Is there knowledge with the Most High?” (12) Such are the wicked;
ever tranquil, they amass wealth.
(13) It was for nothing that I kept my heart pure
and washed my hands in innocence, (14) seeing that I have been constantly afflicted,
that each morning brings new punishments. (15) Had I decided to say these things,
I should have been false to the circle of Your disciples. (16) So I applied myself to understand this,
but it seemed a hopeless task (17) till I entered God’s sanctuary
and reflected on their fate.
(18) You surround them with flattery;
You make them fall through blandishments. (19) How suddenly are they ruined,
wholly swept away by terrors. (20) When You are aroused You despise their image,
as one does a dream after waking, O Lord.-a
(21) My mind was stripped of its reason,
my feelings were numbed.-b (22) I was a dolt, without knowledge;
I was brutish toward You.
(23) Yet I was always with You,
You held my right hand; (24) You guided me by Your counsel
and led me toward honor.-c (25) Whom else have I in heaven?
And having You, I want no one on earth. (26) My body and mind fail;
but God is the stay of my mind, my portion forever. (27) Those who keep far from You perish;
You annihilate all who are untrue to You. (28) As for me, nearness to God is good;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
that I may recount all Your works.
God stands in the divine assembly;
among the divine beings He pronounces judgment. (2) How long will you judge perversely,
showing favor to the wicked? Selah. (3) Judge the wretched and the orphan,
vindicate the lowly and the poor, (4) rescue the wretched and the needy;
save them from the hand of the wicked.
(5) They neither know nor understand,
they go about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth totter. (6) I had taken you for divine beings,
sons of the Most High, all of you; (7) but you shall die as men do,
fall like any prince.
(8) Arise, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are Your possession.
4. Moshe? Mostly anonymous. Coronation psalms. Beginning Halleluya.
(א) תְּפִלָּה֮ לְמֹשֶׁ֢ה אִֽישׁ־הָאֱלֹ֫קִ֥ים אדושם מָע֣וֹן אַ֭תָּה הָיִ֥יתָ לָּ֗נוּ בְּדֹ֣ר וָדֹֽר׃ (ב) בְּטֶ֤רֶם ׀ הָ֘רִ֤ים יֻלָּ֗דוּ וַתְּח֣וֹלֵֽל אֶ֣רֶץ וְתֵבֵ֑ל וּֽמֵעוֹלָ֥ם עַד־ע֝וֹלָ֗ם אַתָּ֥ה אֵֽל׃ (ג) תָּשֵׁ֣ב אֱ֭נוֹשׁ עַד־דַּכָּ֑א וַ֝תֹּ֗אמֶר שׁ֣וּבוּ בְנֵֽי־אָדָֽם׃ (ד) כִּ֤י אֶ֪לֶף שָׁנִ֡ים בְּֽעֵינֶ֗יךָ כְּי֣וֹם אֶ֭תְמוֹל כִּ֣י יַֽעֲבֹ֑ר וְאַשְׁמוּרָ֥ה בַלָּֽיְלָה׃ (ה) זְ֭רַמְתָּם שֵׁנָ֣ה יִהְי֑וּ בַּ֝בֹּ֗קֶר כֶּחָצִ֥יר יַחֲלֹֽף׃ (ו) בַּ֭בֹּקֶר יָצִ֣יץ וְחָלָ֑ף לָ֝עֶ֗רֶב יְמוֹלֵ֥ל וְיָבֵֽשׁ׃ (ז) כִּֽי־כָלִ֥ינוּ בְאַפֶּ֑ךָ וּֽבַחֲמָתְךָ֥ נִבְהָֽלְנוּ׃ (ח) שַׁתָּ֣ עֲוֺנֹתֵ֣ינוּ לְנֶגְדֶּ֑ךָ עֲ֝לֻמֵ֗נוּ לִמְא֥וֹר פָּנֶֽיךָ׃ (ט) כִּ֣י כׇל־יָ֭מֵינוּ פָּנ֣וּ בְעֶבְרָתֶ֑ךָ כִּלִּ֖ינוּ שָׁנֵ֣ינוּ כְמוֹ־הֶֽגֶה׃ (י) יְמֵֽי־שְׁנוֹתֵ֨ינוּ בָהֶ֥ם שִׁבְעִ֪ים שָׁנָ֡ה וְאִ֤ם בִּגְבוּרֹ֨ת ׀ שְׁמ֘וֹנִ֤ים שָׁנָ֗ה וְ֭רׇהְבָּם עָמָ֣ל וָאָ֑וֶן כִּי־גָ֥ז חִ֝֗ישׁ וַנָּעֻֽפָה׃ (יא) מִֽי־י֭וֹדֵעַ עֹ֣ז אַפֶּ֑ךָ וּ֝כְיִרְאָתְךָ֗ עֶבְרָתֶֽךָ׃ (יב) לִמְנ֣וֹת יָ֭מֵינוּ כֵּ֣ן הוֹדַ֑ע וְ֝נָבִ֗א לְבַ֣ב חׇכְמָֽה׃ (יג) שׁוּבָ֣ה ה' עַד־מָתָ֑י וְ֝הִנָּחֵ֗ם עַל־עֲבָדֶֽיךָ׃ (יד) שַׂבְּעֵ֣נוּ בַבֹּ֣קֶר חַסְדֶּ֑ךָ וּֽנְרַנְּנָ֥ה וְ֝נִשְׂמְחָ֗ה בְּכׇל־יָמֵֽינוּ׃ (טו) שַׂ֭מְּחֵנוּ כִּימ֣וֹת עִנִּיתָ֑נוּ שְׁ֝נ֗וֹת רָאִ֥ינוּ רָעָֽה׃ (טז) יֵרָאֶ֣ה אֶל־עֲבָדֶ֣יךָ פׇעֳלֶ֑ךָ וַ֝הֲדָרְךָ֗ עַל־בְּנֵיהֶֽם׃ (יז) וִיהִ֤י ׀ נֹ֤עַם אדושם אֱלֹקֵ֗ינוּ עָ֫לֵ֥ינוּ וּמַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יָ֭דֵינוּ כּוֹנְנָ֥ה עָלֵ֑ינוּ וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יָ֝דֵ֗ינוּ כּוֹנְנֵֽהוּ׃ {פ}
(1) A prayer of Moses, the man of God.
O Lord, You have been our refuge in every generation. (2) Before the mountains came into being,
before You brought forth the earth and the world,
from eternity to eternity You are God.
(3) You return man to dust;
You decreed, “Return you mortals!” (4) For in Your sight a thousand years
are like yesterday that has passed,
like a watch of the night. (5) You engulf men in sleep; at daybreak they are like grass that renews itself; (6) at daybreak it flourishes anew; by dusk it withers and dries up. (7) So we are consumed by Your anger, terror-struck by Your fury. (8) You have set our iniquities before You, our hidden sins in the light of Your face. (9) All our days pass away in Your wrath; we spend our years like a sigh. (10) The span of our life is seventy years,
or, given the strength, eighty years;
but the best of them are trouble and sorrow.
They pass by speedily, and we are in darkness. (11) Who can know Your furious anger? Your wrath matches the fear of You. (12) Teach us to count our days rightly,
that we may obtain a wise heart.
(13) Turn, O LORD! How long?
Show mercy to Your servants. (14) Satisfy us at daybreak with Your steadfast love
that we may sing for joy all our days. (15) Give us joy for as long as You have afflicted us, for the years we have suffered misfortune. (16) Let Your deeds be seen by Your servants,
Your glory by their children. (17) May the favor of the Lord, our God, be upon us;
let the work of our hands prosper, O prosper the work of our hands!
(1) A psalm for praise.
Raise a shout for the LORD, all the earth; (2) worship the LORD in gladness;
come into His presence with shouts of joy. (3) Acknowledge that the LORD is God;
He made us and we are His, is people, the flock He tends. (4) Enter His gates with praise, His courts with acclamation. Praise Him! Bless His name! (5) For the LORD is good; His steadfast love is eternal; His faithfulness is for all generations.
5. Hallelyah. Hallel. Shir Hamaalot. Ashrei. End.
(א) אַשְׁרֵ֥י תְמִֽימֵי־דָ֑רֶךְ הַ֝הֹלְכִ֗ים בְּתוֹרַ֥ת ה'׃ (ב) אַ֭שְׁרֵי נֹצְרֵ֥י עֵדֹתָ֗יו בְּכׇל־לֵ֥ב יִדְרְשֽׁוּהוּ׃ (ג) אַ֭ף לֹא־פָעֲל֣וּ עַוְלָ֑ה בִּדְרָכָ֥יו הָלָֽכוּ׃ (ד) אַ֭תָּה צִוִּ֥יתָה פִקֻּדֶ֗יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֥ר מְאֹֽד׃ (ה) אַ֭חֲלַי יִכֹּ֥נוּ דְרָכָ֗י לִשְׁמֹ֥ר חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃ (ו) אָ֥ז לֹא־אֵב֑וֹשׁ בְּ֝הַבִּיטִ֗י אֶל־כׇּל־מִצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃ (ז) א֭וֹדְךָ בְּיֹ֣שֶׁר לֵבָ֑ב בְּ֝לׇמְדִ֗י מִשְׁפְּטֵ֥י צִדְקֶֽךָ׃ (ח) אֶת־חֻקֶּ֥יךָ אֶשְׁמֹ֑ר אַֽל־תַּעַזְבֵ֥נִי עַד־מְאֹֽד׃ {פ}
(ט) בַּמֶּ֣ה יְזַכֶּה־נַּ֭עַר אֶת־אׇרְח֑וֹ לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃ (י) בְּכׇל־לִבִּ֥י דְרַשְׁתִּ֑יךָ אַל־תַּ֝שְׁגֵּ֗נִי מִמִּצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃ (יא) בְּ֭לִבִּי צָפַ֣נְתִּי אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ לְ֝מַ֗עַן לֹ֣א אֶחֱטָא־לָֽךְ׃ (יב) בָּר֖וּךְ אַתָּ֥ה ה' לַמְּדֵ֥נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃
(1) Happy are those whose way is blameless,
who follow the teaching of the LORD. (2) Happy are those who observe His decrees,
who turn to Him wholeheartedly. (3) They have done no wrong,
but have followed His ways. (4) You have commanded that Your precepts
be kept diligently. (5) Would that my ways were firm in keeping Your laws; (6) then I would not be ashamed when I regard all Your commandments. (7) I will praise You with a sincere heart
as I learn Your just rules. (8) I will keep Your laws; do not utterly forsake me.
(9) How can a young man keep his way pure?
by holding to Your word. (10) I have turned to You with all my heart;
do not let me stray from Your commandments. (11) In my heart I treasure Your promise; therefore I do not sin against You. (12) Blessed are You, O LORD;
train me in Your laws.
Praise God in His sanctuary;
praise Him in the sky, His stronghold. (2) Praise Him for His mighty acts;
praise Him for His exceeding greatness. (3) Praise Him with blasts of the horn;
praise Him with harp and lyre. (4) Praise Him with timbrel and dance;
praise Him with lute and pipe. (5) Praise Him with resounding cymbals;
praise Him with loud-clashing cymbals. (6) Let all that breathes praise the LORD.
Hallelujah.