Zohar on Tehillim: Psalms 23 and 145 as Segulot for Parnasa

Our Sages teach that two specific psalms serve as powerful segulot for sustenance and livelihood. Psalm 23 is recited for "Zan" (basic nourishment), while Psalm 145 — known as "Ashrei" — is recited for "Parnasa Tova" (abundant prosperity). Let us explore the profound Kabbalistic secrets hidden within these sacred verses.

Psalm 23: The Gateway to Divine Sustenance

Psalm 23 contains exactly 57 words — a number that equals the gematria of the Hebrew word זן ("zan," meaning nourishment). This is no coincidence; it reveals the psalm's essential spiritual function.

The holy Arizal (Rabbi Yitzchak Luria) taught that one who recites this psalm with proper intention and aligns their behavior with its teachings will be blessed with abundance from Above.

The Hidden Secret of "Revaya"

Within Psalm 23, there is a verse of immense power:

תַּעֲרֹךְ לְפָנַי שֻׁלְחָן נֶגֶד צֹרְרָי דִּשַּׁנְתָּ בַשֶּׁמֶן רֹאשִׁי כּוֹסִי רְוָיָה

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows."

The word "revaya" (רְוָיָה — overflowing, satiation) has a gematria of 221. Remarkably, the month of Iyar (אייר) also equals 221. And the phrase "Mazal v'Hatzlacha" (מזל והצלחה — fortune and success) likewise equals 221.

This teaches us that the anointing with oil represents coronation — the bestowal of complete satisfaction and liberation from all needs.

Psalm 145: The Three-Fold Blessing

Rabbi Avina declared in the Talmud (Berachot 4b): "Whoever recites Psalm 145 three times daily is guaranteed a place in the World to Come."

This psalm follows the Hebrew alphabet, with each verse beginning with a successive letter — a structure that signifies completeness and cosmic order. Interestingly, King David originally wrote a verse beginning with the letter "nun" (נ), which spoke of the "fall" (nefila) of people. He subsequently removed it, leaving only the verse "Someich Hashem l'chol hanoflim" — "Hashem supports all who fall."

The Verse That Opens Heaven's Gates

One verse demands particular concentration:

פּוֹתֵחַ אֶת־יָדֶךָ וּמַשְׂבִּיעַ לְכָל־חַי רָצוֹן

"You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing."

When reciting these words, the custom is to extend your right hand with an open palm — acknowledging that all sustenance comes directly from the Creator.

The Mystical Meaning of "Your Hand"

One might ask: Does Hashem have a physical hand? The gematria of יָדֶךָ ("yadecha" — Your hand) equals 34. This is identical to the gematria of one of Hashem's holy Names: בו״כו — an acronym for "Bakol u'v'yadecha koach u'gvura" ("Over all, and in Your hand is strength and might").

This Name is called "the Hand of Hashem" in Kabbalistic tradition. For this reason, when reciting "Bakol u'v'yadecha koach u'gvura" during Shacharit, the custom is to give tzedakah of 34 units.

Why Three Times Daily?

The Zohar HaKadosh poses a profound question: If we recite "Ashrei" (Psalm 145) for sustenance, and sustenance is needed morning and evening — as when Hashem provided meat in the evening and manna in the morning — why must we say it three times?

The Zohar reveals three distinct purposes:

1. First recitation: Sustenance for all the worlds
2. Second recitation: Sustenance for physical beings
3. Third recitation: To empower "that Place" whose "hands are open" — the spiritual source of all blessing

Sustenance for the Rich and the Poor

The Zohar further explains that three types of sustenance are embedded within Psalm 145:

Verse 15: "V'Ata noten lahem et ochlam b'ito" — "And You give them their food in its time." This refers to the sustenance of the wealthy, who receive their food at the proper, appointed time.

Verse 16: "U'masbia l'chol chai ratzon" — "And satisfy the desire of every living thing." This refers to the sustenance of the poor, who are satisfied with desire rather than abundance.

Verse 16: "Pote'ach et yadecha" — "You open Your hand." This empowers the Source from which all desire and satisfaction flow to all beings.

When to Request Parnasa

The Zohar teaches that one should request sustenance only after completing prayer. Why? Because prayer is the "sustenance" of the Master — just as a servant first serves the King before eating themselves.

Through the merit of one who requests sustenance daily from the Creator, all the worlds become filled with Light.

Additional Segulot for Parnasa

1. The Secret of "Pote'ach Et Yadecha"

The initial letters of פּוֹתֵחַ אֶת יָדֶךָ form the acronym פא״י (91), which equals the gematria of "Amen" (אמן).

When washing hands (Netilat Yadayim) before eating bread — itself a symbol of parnasa — it is auspicious to mentally recite "Pote'ach et yadecha u'masbia l'chol chai ratzon" while making the blessing.

Furthermore, those who concentrate on the final three words of the blessing "Al Netilat Yadayim" — specifically the letters that form עני (ani — poor) — and intend that neither they nor their descendants should ever be poor, will merit wealth.

2. Daily Recitation for Abundance

A powerful segula is to recite this verse from the Torah (Bereishit 49:20) ten times in the morning and ten times in the evening:

מֵאָשֵׁר שְׁמֵנָה לַחְמוֹ וְהוּא יִתֵּן מַעֲדַנֵּי מֶלֶךְ

"From Asher shall come rich bread, and he shall yield royal delicacies."

3. Invoking Angelic Protection

Recite five times with trust in Hashem:

מִיכָאֵל הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל שַׂר וְאַפּוֹטְרוֹפּוֹס שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל

"Michael, the High Priest, Prince and Guardian of Israel."

4. The 18th of Elul Tzedakah Practice

On the 18th of Elul, declare aloud the amount you wish to give to tzedakah in the coming year as 10% of your income. Hashem will help ensure that your earnings in the new year will be such that 10% equals the amount you declared.

Activate These Blessings Today

You can create a personalized parnasa prayer on Tehillim.Site, combining Psalms 23 and 145 with your specific intentions. Our platform elevates these sacred words continuously, channeling blessing into your life.

Visit our Live section to witness prayers for sustenance being elevated around the clock.

May Hashem open His hand and satisfy the desires of your heart for good. Amen.