A Song of David

Art in progress

A Song of David

In his essay on the significance of King David’s harp, Rabbi Yehuda Shurpin explains: “One of the most refined things in this otherwise physical and mundane world is music. Music invokes deep emotions and longing, transcends thought and language, and has the power to reach to the very depth of the soul.” He further states: “The Zohar explains that the Hebrew word כנור (“harp”) is a compound word made up of the words נר, “lamp,” a reference to the soul (referred to in Proverbs as the “lamp of G‑d") and כו, the number 26, the numerical value of the name of G‑d.”

The soul, or Neshamah, is a recurring theme in the Book of Psalms, often associated with deep emotions. Psalm 150, the final psalm, invokes the full spectrum of human emotions and spiritual potential in an evocative enumeration of musical instruments.

As an artist, I am deeply moved by the connection between David’s psalms, his lyrical praises of G-d, and his heartfelt musical supplications. His words, rich with imagery, resonate within us as we journey through life. The Psalms—and King David’s legacy—serve as an enduring source of inspiration, both for my creative work and my personal growth.

My work explores the concepts of emotion and spirituality through layered elements: the vibrant blue hues of the sky, depictions of musical instruments, and excerpts from the Book of Psalms and other biblical texts woven into my painting.