During Elul, our community is taking one small moment each day to pause and reflect on Psalm 27 together.
Each day, we will send you a text with a prompt. We hope you will take a few moments to write, draw, doodle, dream, or reflect on the question.
If you’re comfortable, we invite you to share your reflections or thoughts on social media. When you do, please tag us (@emanuelhouston) and use the hashtag #EmanuElul so we can learn from one another.
You can sign up for our daily text prompts at any time during Elul. Just text EMANUELUL to 346-362-0444.
Each day’s question is inspired by a line in Psalm 27, which is traditionally recited each day of Elul. Here’s a beautiful translation of the psalm by Rabbi Yael Levy.
1)
To the Beloved,
The Infinite Presence is my light and expanse, whom should I fear?
The Infinite Presence is the strength of my life, what shall I dread?
2)
When forces come close
Seeming to devour me,
When narrowness threatens
and opposition attacks,
All that is menacing stumbles and falls.
3)
Even as an army of mistrust besieges me
My heart does not fear.
Even as thoughts and desires rise up against me
I still have trust.
4)
One thing I ask of the Infinite, one thing I seek,
To dwell in the Presence all the days of my life,
To awaken to the beauty of each moment as I pass through this world.
5)
The Infinite shelters me as I encounter difficulty and pain.
The Infinite holds me close in deep and hidden places
And lifts me high upon a rock.
6)
Now I can see through to what is true.
And I will offer my gifts of thanks
And I will sing and make music to the Eternal.
7)
Please, Infinite One, Listen to my voice, hear my call.
Be gracious with me.
Answer me.
8)
You call to my heart, “Seek my presence.”
Your presence I seek.
9)
Please don’t hide from me.
Please don’t let me turn away in anger.
I long to serve.
You are my help.
Do not let me feel abandoned.
Do not let me turn away.
In You I am safe.
10)
For my mother and father have left me
And it is You who gathers me in.
11)
Teach me Your ways. Guide me on the path of integrity.
There is so much to lead me astray.
12)
Don’t let me give in to all that torments me,
The lies, the illusions, the menacing threats.
13)
If only I had the faith to see the goodness of the One in the land of life.
14)
Cultivate hope in the Infinite Presence.
Let your heart be strong and filled with courage
Cultivate hope.
— Translation by Rabbi Yael Levy
Today’s the first day of EmanuElul — a daily prompt of reflection. If you share your reflections on social media, please tag us (@emanuelhouston) and use the hashtag #EmanuElul!
We hope it’s a meaningful month.
#EmanuElul Day 1 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What is your INTENTION or hope for this month leading up to the High Holy Days?
Psalm 27
1) To the Beloved,
The Infinite Presence is my light and expanse, whom should I fear?
The Infinite Presence is the strength of my life, what shall I dread?
#EmanuElul Day 2 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What brings LIGHT to your life? (Inspired by Psalm 27:1)
Psalm 27:1
1) To the Beloved,
The Infinite Presence is my light and expanse, whom should I fear?
The Infinite Presence is the strength of my life, what shall I dread?
#EmanuElul Day 3 – Write/Draw/Reflect: Where do you turn when you’re AFRAID? (Inspired by Psalm 27:1)
Psalm 27:1
1) To the Beloved,
The Infinite Presence is my light and expanse, whom should I fear?
The Infinite Presence is the strength of my life, what shall I dread?
#EmanuElul Day 4 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What is the NARROWNESS that threatens you? (Inspired by Psalm 27:2)
Psalm 27:2
2) When forces come close
Seeming to devour me,
When narrowness threatens
and opposition attacks,
All that is menacing stumbles and falls.
#EmanuElul Day 5 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What allows you to be EXPANSIVE in your thinking? (Inspired by Psalm 27:2)
Psalm 27:2
2) When forces come close
Seeming to devour me,
When narrowness threatens
and opposition attacks,
All that is menacing stumbles and falls.
#EmanuElul Day 6 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What gives your heart COURAGE? (Inspired by Psalm 27:3)
Psalm 27:3
3) Even as an army of mistrust besieges me
My heart does not fear.
Even as thoughts and desires rise up against me
I still have trust.
#EmanuElul Day 7 – Write/Draw/Reflect: In whom do you TRUST? (Inspired by Psalm 27:3) Please use #EmanuElul on social media!
Psalm 27:3
3) Even as an army of mistrust besieges me
My heart does not fear.
Even as thoughts and desires rise up against me
I still have trust.
#EmanuElul Day 8 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What is one thing you are SEEKING? (Inspired by Psalm 27:4)
Psalm 27:4
4) One thing I ask of the Infinite, one thing I seek,
To dwell in the Presence all the days of my life,
To awaken to the beauty of each moment as I pass through this world.
#EmanuElul Day 9 – Write/Draw/Reflect: Where do you find BEAUTY? (Inspired by Psalm 27:4)
Psalm 27:4
4) One thing I ask of the Infinite, one thing I seek,
To dwell in the Presence all the days of my life,
To awaken to the beauty of each moment as I pass through this world.
#EmanuElul Day 10 – Write/Draw/Reflect: How might you AWAKEN to the possibility of each moment? (Inspired by Psalm 27:4)
Psalm 27:4
4) One thing I ask of the Infinite, one thing I seek,
To dwell in the Presence all the days of my life,
To awaken to the beauty of each moment as I pass through this world.
#EmanuElul Day 11 – Write/Draw/Reflect: Where do you turn for SHELTER? (Inspired by Psalm 27:5)
Psalm 27:5
5) The Infinite shelters me as I encounter difficulty and pain.
The Infinite holds me close in deep and hidden places
And lifts me high upon a rock.
#EmanuElul Day 12 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What holds you close in the deep HIDDEN places? (Inspired by Psalm 27:5)
Psalm 27:5
5) The Infinite shelters me as I encounter difficulty and pain.
The Infinite holds me close in deep and hidden places
And lifts me high upon a rock.
#EmanuElul Day 13 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What can you see that is TRUE? (Inspired by Psalm 27:6)
Psalm 27:6
6) Now I can see through to what is true.
And I will offer my gifts of thanks
And I will sing and make music to the Eternal.
#EmanuElul Day 14 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What GIFTS OF THANKS can you offer? (Inspired by Psalm 27:6)
Psalm 27:6
6) Now I can see through to what is true.
And I will offer my gifts of thanks
And I will sing and make music to the Eternal.
#EmanuElul Day 15 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What is your SONG? (Inspired by Psalm 27:6)
Psalm 27:6
6) Now I can see through to what is true.
And I will offer my gifts of thanks
And I will sing and make music to the Eternal.
#EmanuElul Day 16 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What is the ANSWER you seek? (Inspired by Psalm 27:7)
Psalm 27:7
7) Please, Infinite One, Listen to my voice, hear my call.
Be gracious with me.
Answer me.
#EmanuElul Day 17 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What calls to your HEART? (Inspired by Psalm 27:8)
Psalm 27:8
8) You call to my heart, “Seek my presence.”
Your presence I seek.
#EmanuElul Day 18 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What is the PRESENCE you seek? (Inspired by Psalm 27:8)
Psalm 27:8
8) You call to my heart, “Seek my presence.”
Your presence I seek.
#EmanuElul Day 19 – Write/Draw/Reflect: In what ways might you SERVE? (Inspired by Psalm 27:9)
Psalm 27:9
9) Please don’t hide from me.
Please don’t let me turn away in anger.
I long to serve.
You are my help.
Do not let me feel abandoned.
Do not let me turn away.
In You I am safe.
#EmanuElul Day 20 – Write/Draw/Reflect: Where do you feel SAFE? (Inspired by Psalm 27:9)
Psalm 27:9
9) Please don’t hide from me.
Please don’t let me turn away in anger.
I long to serve.
You are my help.
Do not let me feel abandoned.
Do not let me turn away.
In You I am safe.
#EmanuElul Day 21 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What is a lesson your learned from your PARENTS? (Inspired by Psalm 27:10)
Psalm 27:10
10) For my mother and father have left me
And it is You who gathers me in.
#EmanuElul Day 22 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What GATHERS you in? (Inspired by Psalm 27:10)
Psalm 27:10
10) For my mother and father have left me
And it is You who gathers me in.
#EmanuElul Day 23 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What do you hope to LEARN this year? (Inspired by Psalm 27:11)
Psalm 27:11
11) Teach me Your ways. Guide me on the path of integrity.
There is so much to lead me astray.
#EmanuElul Day 24 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What keeps you on the path of INTEGRITY? (Inspired by Psalm 27:11)
Psalm 27:11
11) Teach me Your ways. Guide me on the path of integrity.
There is so much to lead me astray.
#EmanuElul Day 25 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What is an ILLUSION you are ready to leave behind? (Inspired by Psalm 27:12)
Psalm 27:12
12) Don’t let me give in to all that torments me,
The lies, the illusions, the menacing threats.
#EmanuElul Day 26 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What has the power to restore your FAITH? (Inspired by Psalm 27:13)
Psalm 27:13
13) If only I had the faith to see the goodness of the One in the land of life.
#EmanuElul Day 27 – Write/Draw/Reflect: In the final days of 5786, what is giving you STRENGTH? (Inspired by Psalm 27:14)
Psalm 27:14
14) Cultivate hope in the Infinite Presence.
Let your heart be strong and filled with courage
Cultivate hope.
#EmanuElul Day 28 – Write/Draw/Reflect: How will you CULTIVATE HOPE in the year 5787? (Inspired by Psalm 27:14)
Psalm 27:14
14) Cultivate hope in the Infinite Presence.
Let your heart be strong and filled with courage
Cultivate hope.
#EmanuElul Day 29 – Write/Draw/Reflect: What is your blessing for the New Year? (Inspired by Psalm 27:14)
As we enter the High Holy Days, we hope this has been a meaningful month for you. L’Shanah Tovah! Happy New Year!
Psalm 27:14
14) Cultivate hope in the Infinite Presence.
Let your heart be strong and filled with courage
Cultivate hope.
