("Happy are they"). First word of a hymn of praise to God that serves as a daily reading from the Book of Psalms in Jewish worship. It comprises two prefatory verses, both commencing with Ashré (Ps. 84:5, 144:15), the whole of Psalm 145, and one concluding verse (Ps. 115:18). Bible scholars have devoted much attention to the structural pattern and content of Psalm 145, an alphabetical acrostic omitting a single Hebrew letter (nun). Successive verses proclaim God's greatness (1-6), lovingkindness (7-10), majesty (11-13), and unceasing benevolence toward all who revere Him (14-21); repeated use of the word kol ("all") emphasizes His immanent sovereignty. An ancient text of Psalm 145, discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls, includes responses indicating that its liturgical use may date from Second Temple times. This text also contains a nun verse which appears to fill the gap mentioned above.
According to the rabbis, one who recites this psalm three times daily "is assured of life in the world to come" (Ber. 4b). Here, the context strongly suggests that the two introductory (Ashré) verses were prefixed to Psalm 145 in the early centuries CE. It is recited twice in the Morning Service; before the Afternoon Service (except in the Ashkenazi rite on the Day of Atonement); before Ne'Ilah on the Day of Atonement; and prior to Seliḥot in the penitential season starting before Rosh Ha-Shanah. During the Morning Service, some Ashkenazim touch their Tefillin when reciting verse 16; Sephardim, however, make a symbolic gesture with the palms of their hands. On Sabbaths and festivals, the first and last lines of Ashré are usually sung to a traditional melody. In many Western (Orthodox and Conservative) congregations, the entire passage is often chanted responsively or sung by a choir. Reform practice, generally, is to recite it in the vernacular.
