David Melech Yisrael
David Melech Yisrael (Hebrew: דוד מלך ישראל; literally, David is the King of Israel) is a Jewish song[1][2] about David, an important king of ancient Israel. Its lyrics are simple and consist of only five words which are repeated many times. These lyrics can be translated into English as saying "David, king of Israel, lives and endures." (Hebrew: דוד מלך ישראל, חי, חי וקיים),[3] transliterated to: David Melech Yisrael; Chai, Chai, Vekayam.
The text comes from the Talmud, where Rabbi Judah the Prince instructs Reb Chiyah to use the phrase as a watchword indicating that the new moon has appeared.[4] The Talmudic Rabbis often used the image of the waxing and waning moon as a metaphor for the power of the Davidic line, which would renew itself with the coming of the Messiah.[5] Hence the song is an enthusiastic reflection of hope for the Messiah's coming.
Jewish children are often taught this song at a young age, as it is fairly easy to memorize. Common traditions involve singing it with added arm and hand movements, or singing it as fast as possible while trying to keep up with the arm and hand movements.
Lyrics
English
David David (is) king of Israel
David David (is) king of Israel
David (is) king of Israel living and existing.
Alive, living and existing
David (is) king of Israel
Alive, living and existing - king of Israel.
Hebrew transliteration
David David melech
David David melech
David melech Yisrael chai vekayam.
Chai, chai vekayam
David melech Yisrael
Chai, chai vekayam - melech Yisrael.[6]
Hebrew
דוד מלך ישראל
יפה ירקוני
מילים: עממי
לחן: מרדכי זעירא
קיים ביצוע נוסף לשיר זה
דוד דוד מלך
דוד דוד מלך
דוד מלך ישראל חי וקיים
חי, חי וקיים
דוד מלך ישראל
[7]חי, חי וקיים - מלך ישראל
References
- ↑ "DAVID MELECH YISRAEL". hebrewsongs.com. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
- ↑ "David Melech Yisrael דוד מלך ישראל". Zemirot Database. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
- ↑ https://translate.google.com/#en/iw/David%2C%20king%20of%20Israel%2C%20lives%20and%20endures
- ↑ Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Rosh Hashana 25a (http://halakhah.com/pdf/moed/Rosh_HaShanah.pdf)
- ↑ Rashi on Rosh Hashana 25a
- ↑ "DAVID MELECH YISRAEL". hebrewsongs.com. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
- ↑ "מילים לשיר דוד מלך ישראל - יפה ירקוני - שירונט".