Tikkun Haklali - Only Narration - 2

Tikkun Haklali

By saying these ten songs of praise, I am binding myself
 to all the truly righteous people in our generation and

to all the truly righteous and holy people who have passed
away. And especially to our holy Rebbe, who revealed this
remedy, the tzaddik and foundation of the world, the “Flowing
stream [and] source of [all] wisdom”, Rebbe Nachman, the son
of Feige, may his merit protect us.

CHAPTER 16

1 David frequently said,1
“Protect me HaShem, because
You’re my only place to hide”.

2 “HaShem, You really don’t
need to do this good just for
me”.

3 I didn’t earn this. I get
everything I need because
of2 my holy and deceased
ancestors, who were
enormous in their fear of God.

1. Rashi 16:1
2. ibid 16:3

4 Regarding those who
eagerly3 serve other gods:
Make them more and more
miserable! I would never pour
drinks of blood to those gods;
I wouldn’t even mention4
their names on my lips.

5 My good fortune is from You
HaShem, You direct my hands
to choose5 what’s best for me.

6 My destiny and heritage are
so delightful and beautiful!

7 And so I bless You HaShem
because You advise me
correctly, and You guide me at
night, with peace of mind,6 to
follow Your advice.

8 In everything I do I am in
awe of You HaShem;7 You’re
always by my side.

3. Rashi 16:4 6. Metsudas Dovid 16:7
4. Metsudas Dovid 16:4 7. Rashi 16:8
5. Rashi 16:5

Tikkun Haklali

9 That’s why my heart and
soul celebrate, and after I
die I know my body will rest
peacefully.

10 Because You won’t abandon
me in the grave or allow me to
be destroyed.

11 Teach me8 how to go
through life, so that when I
finally see Your face, my joy
and pleasure will never end.

CHAPTER 32

1  David taught9 this song:
Coming back to HaShem10
makes you happy because
your mistakes are forgiven
and your sins won’t be
mentioned.11

8. Radak 16:11 10. ibid
9. Metsudas Dovid 32:1 11. ibid

2  You feel relieved,12 because
HaShem won’t count your sins
if you sincerely13 regret them.

3  Personally, when I didn’t
admit my sins14 I felt my
bones wearing out from my
constant anxiety; I would
groan all day worrying about
being punished.

4 Day and night I felt my sins
weighing on me. My strength
was drying up like in the hot
summer.

5 So I constantly15 confess my
sins to HaShem and He always
removes them.

12. Rashi, Metsudas Dovid 32:3 14. Rashi 32:3
13. Rashi, Metsudas Dovid 32:2 15. ibid 32:5

Tikkun Haklali

6  That’s why all His followers
pray for forgiveness the
moment they feel regret,
before it’s too late and they’re
flooded with suffering.

7  They sing to Him: “I feel
surrounded by Your protection
and You rescue me from pain”.

8 Let me teach you, from what
I’ve seen,16 the way to come
back to HaShem.

9  Consider17 that when
HaShem gives us suffering
it’s for our own good, like
the grooming of an animal,
so that our sins can be
removed. Don’t be foolish
like that animal, needing to
be restrained with its mouth
shut, so it doesn’t bite.18

16. Metsudas Dovid 32:8
17. ibid 32:9
18. ibid

10  Sinners suffer greatly
because they don’t learn the
lesson that suffering is for
their own good.19 But those
who trust that HaShem brings
suffering to remove sin are
surrounded with kindness.

11  Those who were forgiven
sing happily because they’re
overjoyed in HaShem’s
kindness.20

CHAPTER 41

1 David gave this song to the
conductor.

2 Whoever pays close attention
to the needs of the poor will
be happy when HaShem saves
him on his bad days.21

3  HaShem will guard him in
this world22 and give him life.
Everyone will praise him and
his enemies won’t control
him.

19. ibid 32:10
20. ibid 32:11
21. Malbim 41:2
22. Rashi 41:3

Tikkun Haklali

4 In the peak23 of his illness
HaShem will support him in
bed.

5  Like when I was sick in
bed; I said “HaShem favor
me! Forget my body, but at
least24 heal my soul from its
sins against You”.

6  My enemies wished the
worst on me, saying, “when
will he die already so we can
forget his name”?

7  And if they came to see
me, they pretended to feel
bad for me. But in their
hearts they were contriving
ideas to hurt me, which they
shared when they left.

8  Quietly together they
cursed me:

23. ibid 41:4
24. Malbim 41:5

9  “His rebellious ways
caused his downfall. And
now he will never get up
again”.

10 And now even my trusted
friends, who eat at my
table, lift up their heels to
trample25 me.

11 But You HaShem are26 kind
to me. Lift me up out of this
bed27 and I’ll pay them back.

12  My enemies won’t shout
victory over me when You
heal me!28 That’s how I know
You love me.

13  And since I sincerely
cared for the poor’s needs,
You supported me too29 and
let me live out my years.30

25. Radak 41:10
26. ibid 41:11
27. Malbim 41:11
28. Metsudas Dovid 41:12
29. ibid 41:13
30. Radak 41:13

Tikkun Haklali

14  Because You helped me
until now31 I must32 bless
You HaShem, God of Israel,
from the beginning of time
to the end of time.33 Amen
Amen!

CHAPTER 42

1  David taught this song to
Korach’s sons, the poets.34

2  My soul cries out to You
HaShem like the thirsty deer
cries out by dried up35 water
springs.

3 In exile36 my soul thirsts for
a Living God! When will I go
back to the Temple Mount and
see Your face?

4  I can’t eat by day or night, 34. ibid 42:1
instead I cry37 from the cynics 35. Metsudas Dovid 42:2
who ask me “Where is your 36. Rashi, Metsudas Dovid 42:3
so called true God? Shouldn’t
He have redeemed you
already?”38

31. Radak 41:14
32. Even Ezra 41:14
33. Radak 41:14

5 I pour out my soul from the
memories of leading39 the
crowds40 to HaShem’s House
in song and dance.

6 But why do I feel discouraged?
I should put my hope in
HaShem because I’ll still see
His41 salvation.

7  Oh my God! I feel so
unworthy42 when I remember
how You crossed us through
the Jordan43 even though we
angered You in the Hermon
and by Sinai.44

8  One deep suffering in
exile calls to the next deep
suffering, like roaring water
in the canals. All Your waves
broke over me!

37. Rashi, Metsudas Dovid 42:4 41. Targum 42:6
38. Radak 42:4 42. Metsudas Tzion 42:7
39. ibid 42:5 43. Rashi 42:7
40. Rashi 42:5 44. ibid

Tikkun Haklali

9 By day I’m encouraged45 that
HaShem will act kindly. And by
night His songs46 are with me;
I pray for my life…47

10  Saying: “HaShem, in the
past48 You’ve been my anchor.
Why did You forget me in
exile?49 Why do I walk in the
dark50 under my enemy’s
abuse”?

11 It feels like a sword51 in my
bones when my opponents
taunt me, saying: “Where is
your so called true God”?

12  But I ask myself again,52
why am I discouraged and
bothered by it? I’ll put my
hope in HaShem and thank
Him when I see His53 salvation.

45. Radak 42:9 50. Metsudas Tzion 42:10
46. ibid 51. ibid 42:11
47. ibid 52. Metsudas Dovid 42:12
48. ibid 42:10 53. Targum 42:6
49. ibid

CHAPTER 59

1 David gave this song to the
conductor. It’s a song he sang
often, entitled “Don’t Destroy54
me”, composed when Saul
sent men to surround his
house by night55 and murder
him the next morning.56

2  Rescue me Hashem from
my enemies and elevate me57
above my challengers.

3  Save me from those who
slander me58 and from the
bloodthirsty men who want to
kill me.59

4  Powerful soldiers are
surrounding me and are
waiting to ambush me, but
HaShem, You know60 I didn’t
hurt them.61

54. Rashi 59:1 58. Malbim 59:3
55. Metsudas Dovid 59:1 59. Radak 59:3
56. ibid 60. Radak 59:4
57. Radak 59:2 61. ibid

Tikkun Haklali

5  Although I’m innocent,
they’re still eagerly preparing
to kill me.62 Arouse Yourself
on my behalf and see what’s
happening here!

6  HaShem, Powerful God of
Israel, Wake up! And judge
the criminals and traitors
from every nation without
sympathy.

7  Saul’s men came back at
night barking like watch dogs,
surrounding the city so I can’t
escape.63

8  Their mouths speak64 out
against me and their lips are
like swords, because they
think You’re65 not listening.

9 But You laugh at their plans,66
just like You mock the nations
who don’t believe in You.67

62. Rashi 59:5 65. Even Ezra 59:8
63. Radak 59:7 66. Radak 59:9
64. Metsudas Tzion 59:8 67. ibid

10 Saul’s might is too much for
me alone;68 I’m waiting69 for
You to protect me.

11  The God who is always
good to me will step in before
they hurt me.70 He will show
me what I want to see71 with
these watchmen.

12  Don’t kill them, because
that type of revenge is short-
lived72 and will be forgotten.
Rather, use Your power to
make them poor, and lower
them, so Your revenge will be
remembered.73

13 Let them confess how they
smeared me and how their
arrogance tripped them.74 And
let everyone tell over how
they were cursed from the
lies75 they spread.

68. ibid 72. Radak 59:12
69. Metsudas Tzion 59:10 73. ibid
70. Rashi 59:11 74. Malbim 59:13
71. Rashi, Radak 59:11 75. Rashi 59:13

Tikkun Haklali

14  Destroy them little by
little76 with anger and then
wipe them out entirely, so
everyone will know that
HaShem rules forever over
the Jews and all the lands.

15 Next time they will come
back at night to collect
charity and surround the city
like dogs looking for food.77

16  They’ll wander around
searching for food and go to
sleep hungry.78

17 As for me, at night79 I will
sing songs of Your might,
and in the morning I’ll sing
of Your kindness, because
You protected me on my
worst day.

18  And I’ll chant about
Your strength, not Saul’s,80
because in His kindness,
HaShem protects me.

76. Radak 59:14 79. Malbim 59:17
77. Even Ezra 59:15 80. Radak, Malbim 59:18
78. ibid 59:15

CHAPTER 77

1  Assaf gave this song about

our suffering to the conductor.

2 I’ll raise my voice to HaShem

and cry out to Him. And when
I do,81 He’ll listen to me.

3 On my painful days I search

for Him. My wounds are
throbbing throughout the
exile82 with no relief. My soul
won’t get over it!

4 I remember the good times

with83 HaShem and I groan!
And when I talk about it, I
feel84 faint!

5 You held my eyelids closed.85

I’m broken86 and I have no
words.

81. Metsudas Dovid 77: 2 84. Malbim 77:4
82. Radak 77:3 85. Rashi 77:5
83. Rashi 77:4 86. Metsudas Tzion 77:5

Tikkun Haklali

6  I’m thinking of the good87
old days, so long ago.88

7  In these89 dark times I

remember the songs I played
for You. My heart and spirit
are thinking and wondering…

8 Will You abandon us forever?

Is it possible for Your love to
end?

9 Will You ever again show us

Your affection? Are You saying
that You’re done with us?90

10  Did You forget how to be

compassionate? Will Your rage
trump Your mercy forever?

11  I’ve decided91 that You

changed Your behavior to
frighten me, so that I’ll come
back to You.92

12  I feel better93 when I 91. Malbim 77:11
92. ibid
remember the miracles back 93. ibid
in Egypt.94 94. Radak 77:12

87. Rashi, 77:6
88. Radak 77:6
89. Rashi 77:7
90. ibid 77:9

13  I’ll spend time thinking

about all You’ve done for us
and I’ll go around speaking
about Your ways.

14  Because HaShem, Your

ways are separate95 from all
others. Who’s as great as You?

15  Nobody but96 You is a

powerful and marvelous God.
You showed the nations Your
strength in Egypt.97

16 With Your might98 You freed

Your nation, the children of
Jacob and Joseph.

17 When the waters of the Red
Sea saw You, they were afraid.
Even the deepest waters were
shaken up!

18  The clouds poured rain

on the Egyptians, the skies
thundered to confuse them99
and even Your lightning bolts
were rampant.100

95. Malbim 77:14 98. Metsudas Dovid 77:16
96. Metsudas Dovid 77:15 99. ibid 77:18
97. Radak 77:15 100. ibid 77:18

Tikkun Haklali

19 The sound of Your thunder

rolled like a wheel, the world
was lit up with lightning and
the land shook!

20 You became known through

Your wonders by the Sea. You
made paths in deep waters
and not a trace of it is still
discernable.

21  You led Your people

kindly101 by the hand of Moses
and Aaron.

CHAPTER 90

1  A prayer from Moses the
prophet:102 HaShem, You’ve
been a safe place for us to
retreat since the beginning of
time.103

2  Since before the earth was
formed, and in the next world
too, You have all the power.

101. Even Ezra 77:21 103. Rashi 90:1
102. Metsudas Dovid, Radak 90:1

3  You push us down with
suffering104 until our crushing
point and urge us, “Return to
Me”.

4  Because even if we lived
a thousand years it will
feel like one day in our105
eyes when it passes, or like
a few hours in the night.

5 And the course of our lives
is like a night’s sleep; Like
freshly grown grass.

6  In the morning the grass
grows and sprouts, but by
evening it’s already cut down
or withering.

7  We’re devastated by Your
anger and confused by Your
rage.

8  Since all of our sins, even
those of our youth, are present
before You.

104. ibid 90: 3 105. Metsudas Dovid 90:4

Tikkun Haklali

9 Our lives up until today have
angered You. We’ve wasted
our years like fleeting words.

10 Our lives last seventy years,
maybe eighty years, if we’re
strong. And all of our pride is
nothing but business and lies,
as it flies by so quickly.

11 In such a short time106 who
can understand Your anger?
That107 the more we fear
You, the greater Your anger
becomes.108

12 We don’t have enough time
to figure it out on our own!
So overcompensate us with
complete clarity and we will
meditate on it and acquire
true wisdom.109

106. Rashi 90:11 108. Radak 90:11
107. Radak 90:11 109. Metsudas Dovid 90:12

13  Come back to us HaShem!
How long will You abandon
us?110 Take pity on Your
servants.

14 Give us the pleasure of Your
love on the morning of our
redemption; we’ll sing and
rejoice for the rest of time.111

15  Make us happy forever112
since You abused us for so
long. For years we knew only
bad.

16  Show us how You work
the redemption. Shine Your
brightness on our children.

17  Let the sweetness of
HaShem, our God, rest on us,
and our handiwork.

110. ibid 90:13 112. ibid 90:15
111. ibid 90:14

Tikkun Haklali

CHAPTER 105

1 Give thanks to HaShem, call
His name and let everyone
know the great things He
does.

2  Sing songs to Him, play
instruments113 for Him and tell
others114 about His miracles.

3 Brag about115 His holy name.
Rejoice in your heart from
pursuing HaShem.

4  Search for HaShem and
for the lessons of Torah116 in
everything you do. Constantly
look for His face in your lives.

5  Remember in your hearts117
His wonders of creation, His
miracles in Egypt and the laws
we heard from His mouth at
Sinai.118

113. Even Ezra 105:2 116. Targum 105:4
114. ibid 117. Even Ezra 105:5
115. Radak 105:3 118. ibid

6  Remember119 that you’re
the offspring of His servant
Abraham; And of Jacob, who
He chose from all of Abraham’s
children.

7  And even though His laws
govern the entire earth, He
is our HaShem and we’re His
chosen nation.120

8  He remembers the deal He
made with us forever. His
word is good for a thousand
generations.

9  He promised the land to
Abraham and swore it to Isaac.

10  He upheld it as final to
Jacob, and to Israel as an
eternal agreement.

11  He said, “I will give you
the land of Canaan as your
inheritance”.

119. Malbim 105:6 120. Radak 105:7

Tikkun Haklali

12  He promised it when they
were few in number, weak121
and newcomers in the land.

13  They wandered between
different nations and
kingdoms.

14 But He didn’t allow anyone
to hurt them, and He criticized
kings on their behalf.

15  He said “Don’t touch My
chosen ones; Don’t harm My
prophets”.

16  This is how HaShem kept
His promise to give them
Canaan: He called for a famine
in the land. Every supply of
bread was gone.

17  But first He sent Joseph
down to Egypt, sold as a slave.

121. Malbim 105:12

18  The Egyptians chained
Joseph’s legs. His very soul
was confined in metal.

19  Until the time came for
all of Israel to go down to
Egypt,122 the word of God had
been cleansing Joseph with
tests of spiritual endurance.123

20  Then the king sent
messengers to release Joseph
from prison.

21 Elevating him to master of
his house and ruler of all his
possessions.

22  Joseph had the authority
to imprison any of Pharaoh’s
officers at will,124 and he
imparted wisdom to Egypt’s
wise men.

23  Then Jacob came down to
Egypt.

122. Rashi 105:19 124. Radak 105:22
123. ibid

Tikkun Haklali

24  While in Egypt, HaShem
made His nation very fruitful
and stronger than their
opponents.

25  He caused the Egyptians
hearts to turn on His people
and devise plans against
them.

26  Then He sent Moses His
servant and Aaron, His chosen
one.

27  With the word of God,
they performed His signs and
miracles.

28  He sent darkness and it
was dark. The signs He sent
did not disappoint.

29  He turned their water into
blood and killed their fish.

30  Their land swarmed with
frogs, even in the kings’
chambers.

31  By His word, mobs of
wild animals came and lice
throughout the confines of
their land.

32 He gave them a rain of hail
and fire that burned in the
land.

33  The fire destroyed their
vineyards and uprooted all
their trees.

34  With God’s word came
countless locusts of all
species.

35  They devoured all the
vegetation and grass in the
land.

36 Next He killed each of their
firstborn.

37  Then He brought the Jews
out of Egypt with silver and
gold. None of His children
were lacking.125

125. Radak 105:37

Tikkun Haklali

38  The Egyptians were now
afraid of the Jews and were
happy to see them go.

39  While traveling in the
desert,126 Hashem spread a
protective cloud over the Jews
and sent a fire to light up the
night for them.

40  By their request, He
brought them quails to eat
in the evening.127 He satisfied
them in the mornings128 with
heavenly bread.

41  He split open a rock and
water flowed from it, like a
river in the dry desert.

42 All because He remembered
His holy words to Abraham,
his servant.

126. ibid 105:39 128. ibid
127. ibid 105:40

43  So He brought out His
chosen people in joyous song!

44  And He gifted them with
the developed land of many
nations.129

45  So that they would keep
His laws and preserve His
teachings. Praise HaShem!

CHAPTER 137

1  By the rivers of Babylon
we sat and cried when we
remembered Zion.

2  On the willow trees by the
water we hung our harps to
hide them from our enemies.130

129. ibid 105:44 130. Metsudas Dovid 137:2

Tikkun Haklali

3 Because it was there that our
captors taunted us,131 asking
us to sing the songs from the
Temple in Zion.

4  But how can we sing the
songs of HaShem in this
foreign land?

5 If we132 forget Jerusalem, we
should forget our right hand.

6  Our tongues should stick
to our palates if we don’t
remember Jerusalem and
elevate her above our greatest
joy.

7  HaShem, pay back133 the
children of Edom for the day
they destroyed Jerusalem,
saying “Demolish it, Flatten it
to the ground”.

131. Rashi 137:3 133. Metsudas Dovid 137:7
132. Rashi 137:5

8  But it’s you Babylon who
will be destroyed. Lucky is the
man who repays you for what
you did to us.

9  He will be happy when he
takes your babies and flings
them against the rocks.

CHAPTER 150

1  Praise HaShem. Praise Him
in His holy world of angels134
and in His mighty heavens.

2  Praise Him profusely by
describing His strengths and
the great things He does.135

3  Praise Him by blowing the
shofar and by strumming the
harp and lyre.

134. Radak 150:1 135. Metsudas Dovid 150:2

Tikkun Haklali

4  Praise Him by dancing
with drums, with stringed
instruments and flutes.

5  Praise Him with the crash
of loud and high-pitched
cymbals.

6  Let every soul praise
HaShem! Praise HaShem!

After completing the Tikkun Haklali,
the following verses are said:

I hope I’ll witness136 the
redemption of Jerusalem and
Israel! When HaShem brings
back His people from captivity.
Then137 Jacob will celebrate
and Israel will rejoice.

HaShem saves the righteous;
He’s their strength in times of
trouble.

HaShem helps them. He
rescues them from the wicked
and redeems them, because
they depend on Him.

136. Radak 14:7 137. Metsudas Dovid 14:7