[Acacia Tree at night in south Israel; a reminder of the letter "shin" in Hebrew, the first letter of HaShem's Holy Name Sh-add-ai]

[The Night Says:]

To relate Your lovingkindness in the morning,

and Your faithfulness in the nights.
(Tehillim 92:3)

Night symbolizes faith in G-d.  The darkness of night symbolizes exile and travail, times when we  cannot see the fulfillment of G-d's promises but our faith remains.   Our ancestors, for believing in G-d, they were found worthy of having the Divine Presence rest upon them and they chanted songs.  Our ancestors experienced this joyousness in reward for having stayed faithful to G-d in this world that resembles total night.

[MeAm Lo'ez, Perek Shira]

[The Day Says]

Day to day utters speech
and night to night expresses knowledge.

(Tehillim 19:3)

The works of creation are renewed day by day.  In the evening the sun sets and in the morning it rises, which inspires men to words of praise.  It is as if by teaching man to utter songs of acclaim and thanskgiving, the days and nights themselves "utter speech."   Renewal of Creation every day makes it plain that this pattern cannot be due to chance, and every man perceives this manifestation of G-d's might.

"And night to night expresses knowledge."  Night, when nature reposes, is the time for thought and contemplation. Men ponder the things they saw and heard during the day, and arrive at knowledge of G-d.

According to Midrash, day and night are models of honesty and symbols of trust. In spring and summer months, the days are longer and borrows hours from the night. In fall and winter months the days are shorter and the day returns the borrowed hours to the night. Day and night teach that people should share what they have and be confident that G-d will not leave them.

[-MeAm Lo'ez, Rabbi Scherman, Perek Shira]

[Jordan River, Israel]

[The Streams Say:]

But singers as well as flutists (dancers),

all My wellsprings are in you (O Tziyon)

(Tehillim 87:7)

"All My wellsprings (thoughts) and providence "are in you" in Tziyon.  Also, "All My wellsprings (fountains)" of wisdom "are in you."  All the fountains of wisdom that I draw from, are found "in you" - in Tziyon.  "Therefore with joy will you draw water out of the wells of deliverance" (Yeshayahu 12:3).

Just as wellspring brings forth new waters every moment, so the people of Yisrael chant songs every moment.  Thus it says, "And singers and dancers, all my fountains are in You." Wellsprings bubble with fresh water all day and night. Yisrael, too, never ceases to praise G-d for His goodness and for giving us the privilige of serving Him. Our music is the wellspring embodied in Torah and good deeds.

[-MeAm Lo'ez, Perek Shira-

[The Seas Say:]

More than the voices of many waters,

Mightier than the waves of the seas,

You are mighty on high, HaShem.

(Tehillim 93:4)

G-d dwells beyond human perception, in a lofty realm that is higher than man's comprehension.  However, due to the "voices of many waters, the mighty breakers of the sea," it is made known to everyone that HaShem on high is mighty.  G-d is overwhelmingly powerful in His realm on high. Nothing on earth is more powerful than the raging sea -tidal waves and storms can wash away everything in their path. How much more powerful is He Who made them?

This is their song: "O mortal man, always remember the only true source of power."

[-MeAm Lo'Ez, Perek Shira]