"Pesukei deZimra", the preliminary series of psalms introducing the morning prayers, opens with the words, "mizmor shir":

"מִזְמוֹר שִׁיר חֲנֻכַּת הַבַּיִת לְדָוִד. (תהילים ל:א)

"A melody ('mizmor'), a song ('shir') for the Temple inauguration, to David". (Ps 30:1)

What is the difference between mizmor and shir? Why is this phrase appropriate for our daily initiation into prayer? And what is the connection to the Temple dedication?

Emotion and Intellect

Heartfelt emotion, emanating from the depths of the soul, lies hidden in the crevices of life. When these feelings burst forth, they cannot be composed into words and expressed by speech. Without thought, we happily hum a tune. We give voice to our emotions through zemer, in the notes of a tune or melody. This is mizmor, the musical outpouring of the soul.

As our feelings expand and become more revealed, they connect with our powers of thought and cognition. They reach the treasury of language and speech. This is the level of shir, song and poetry. We can now articulate the outburst of emotion using our mental faculties of reason and language.

When we join together "mizmor shir", we link our emotional and intellectual sides. First, mizmor, musical expression from the depth of emotion and outpouring of the soul. Then, shir, poetic expression from holy meditation and thought.

As we enter our house of prayer, we need to aspire to the sublime ideal of "mizmor shir". We should fully awaken our emotional and intellectual potential for praise and joy. These two holy faculties achieved their greatest expression when the place most suitable for spiritual elevation was completed — at the dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem. "A melody, a song, for the Temple inauguration." 

(adapted from Olat Re'iyah I:186)

Copyright © 2006 by Chanan Morrison