Tehillim · A Psalm for the moment

Which Psalms are said in a moment of distress?

Two psalms for the narrow place

When anguish presses in, two psalms have long given it words. Psalm 130 begins מִמַּעֲמַקִּים — out of the depths I call to You, Eternal. It does not pretend the depths are shallow; it calls from within them. Psalm 142 is the cry of one who is trapped and short of breath, pouring out his complaint before Hashem and asking to be led out into open space.

The source

Psalm 130 is one of the Songs of Ascents, and its opening word, מִמַּעֲמַקִּים, has named it across the generations as the prayer of the depths. Psalm 142 is titled a maskil of David, composed, its heading says, when he was in the cave — hidden, hunted, with nowhere to turn but upward. Both were given to us precisely for the hour when words are hard to find.

What to do

When distress comes, say Psalm 130 and Psalm 142 slowly, aloud if you can, letting the words carry what you cannot yet say yourself. There is no fixed number of times required; the psalms are a companion, not a task. If the distress is heavy or lasting, do not carry it alone — turn to your rabbi, your community, and, where needed, those trained to help.

Source: Psalms 130 and 142.