Page:Annotated Edition of the Authorised Daily Prayer Book.djvu/56

xxxvi of the 145th Psalm. "He who recites this Psalm daily is assured of his part in the world to come" (Berachoth 4b). In some texts of the Talmud the reading is thrice daily and the Psalm is included thrice in the daily liturgy: twice in the morning and once in the afternoon service (see P.B. pages 29, 71 and 94). The Psalm well deserves this honour. It is alphabetical (except that there is no line beginning with the letter נ), yet while the acrostic arrangement sometimes produces an artificial effect, in this Psalm the flow of thought is not arrested. Jewish commentators have pointed out that the whole Psalm is one of praise and that it contains no petition. This is an additional reason for the idea cited from the Talmud, for the future bliss is assured to those who already in this earthly life place themselves in an attitude of praise. Dr Kohler suggests (Publications of the Gratz College 1897, p. 197) another reason for the threefold recitation of the Psalm daily. "The verses, The eyes of all wait upon thee, and thou givest them their food in due season. Thou openest thine hand and satisfiest the desire of every living being, contain the grace for each of the three meals, thus consecrating the bodily food to the service of God." Many other specific reasons have been assigned; it seems better, however, to rely for the threefold repetition on the grandeur of the Psalm as a whole. Of this Psalm Dr Kirkpatrick writes: "This noble doxology worthily heads the series of Psalms of praise with which the ’Book of Praise’ ends. ’Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever,’ is the thought which it expands. It is addressed to Israel’s God as the supreme King, whose kingdom is universal and eternal; it celebrates his majesty, greatness and goodness; his providential care for all his Creation; his constant love towards those who love and fear him. Its most striking feature is its universalism. If Israel begins the chorus of praise (verse i) it will not be content until all mankind join in it (verse 21). The Lord’s goodness embraces all his Creation; and the whole of Creation responds with its hymn of praise."