About Debbie Perlman

The Book of Psalms, the 150 psalms of the Hebrew Bible, is recognized as the most famous collection of religious poetry. The psalms are traditionally associated with King David. While his authorship of all of them is unlikely – some psalms reflect events which occurred subsequent to David’s life in the tenth century B.C.E. – his connection to psalms remains very strong. David was thought to have encouraged psalm singers during the First Temple period; he is described in the Bible as a player of the lyre; he is identified as the "sweet singer of Israel."

Psalms have become a permanent part of our worship and are written in a wide variety of literary styles. Their length varies. Psalm 117, part of the Hallel prayers recited during the Pilgrimage Festivals, is a scant two verses. Psalm 119 is an acrostic which includes 176 verses. The twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet each begin eight verses. During traditional Jewish morning worship a specific psalm is associated with and read for each day of the week. Psalm 23, "The Lord Is My Shepherd; I Shall Not Want," is a standard part of funerals and memorial services.

The Hebrew name for Psalms is Tehillim. The root of the word means praise.

The psalms are a remarkable collection of poems in praise of God. They are poems which reflect the continuum of the human experience, from one person’s relationship with God to the relationship of an entire community with God. They contain thoughts of anguish, praise, doubt, thanksgiving, compassion and longing. The words are powerful and sincere and able to be spoken by all of us. Psalms are a vehicle which has allowed people to express a personal and profound relationship with their God.

As Psalmist-in-Residence at Beth Emet The Free Synagogue from 1996 to 2002, Debbie Perlman brought psalms into the consciousness of the community. The psalms she wrote are read and recited just as King David’s have been - to express joy and sorrow, gratitude and reflection. Her psalms set the mood for worship and provide moments for personal meditation. Ms. Perlman has brought King David’s psalms to life by bringing us new psalms. She reminds us that through psalms, God speaks to us today as easily as God spoke to our ancestors.

An occupational therapist, Perlman was on the other side of the bed, applying her training to her own life. She was a 20-year cancer survivor, disabled by the side effects of treatment. Many of her psalms were written for friends and acquaintances under-going crises.

"In some unshakable way, I had been called to write these words. The first psalm was written for a friend about to undergo surgery. After the first few psalms, the words began to be poured into me. They woke me and sang in my dreams. The anchient rhythms that stirred King David and the other psalmist were reverberating in me."

As part of her work at Beth Emet, Perlman wrote psalms for congregants who are ill or experiencing life difficulties. "My psalms have had remarkable results," Perlman says. "I find my glass brimming, as I meet and speak with people who pray with my words, who are moved by them. When I hear my words read in communal worship, I am as transfixed as the first time I saw them on my computer screen. My psalms release me from the disability that keeps me hooked to oxygen, bent and with a cane, walking slowly. They remind me again and again of my survival, my tenacity, the blessings of good husband and family and friends."

"These words strengthen my faith in my ability to weave a lasting thread in the pattern of holiness, bound tightly to God’s design."