Jewish Prayer for Retirement
When a person sets down the work of many years, the days suddenly open wide. There is gratitude for parnassah (livelihood) granted across decades, and there is also a quiet question: what now? A Jewish prayer for retirement answers that question in a way the world rarely does. In Yiddishkeit, retirement is not the end of avodas Hashem (the service of G-d), but the start of a new chapter in it. Dovid HaMelech already gave words to this moment: “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age, full of sap and freshness” (Tehillim 92).
Rabbi Meir Baal Haness Charities, sustaining the poor of Israel since 1799, offers this guide so that the years ahead may be entered with kavanah (focused intention) and brachah. Just as generations have paired their tefillos (prayers) with acts of tzedakah (charity), you can give in the merit of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness as you daven for this new beginning.
Does Judaism Have a Prayer for Retirement?
Retirement, as the world understands it, is a modern arrangement, and there does not appear to be a single fixed classical tefillah composed specifically for the day a person leaves their occupation. Yet the Jewish tradition is far from silent on this stage of life. The sefer Tehillim, the brachos of gratitude, and the words of Chazal (our Sages) all speak directly to the heart of someone entering their later years: thanksgiving for what has been, the longing for continued health and purpose, and the desire to fill open time with Torah and chesed (acts of kindness).
So a Jewish prayer for retirement is less a single recited formula and more a turning of the heart. One draws on the timeless words that Klal Yisrael has always reached for, and one speaks to Hashem in one’s own words about the chapter now beginning.
Tehillim for This Stage of Life
The most natural place to turn is the sefer Tehillim, where Dovid HaMelech gave voice to every stage of life. Two perakim (chapters) speak with special tenderness to the years of retirement and age.
Tehillim 92, the Mizmor Shir l’Yom HaShabbos, contains the posuk (verse) “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and freshness” (Tehillim 92:15). The image is of the righteous compared to a date palm and a cedar — trees that do not wither with the years but continue to yield. For one stepping back from a career, this is a tefillah that the coming years remain fruitful and full of life, not empty.
Tehillim 71 is the tefillah of one who has reached his later years and asks not to be abandoned. “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; when my strength fails, do not forsake me” (Tehillim 71:9), and later, “Even to old age and grey hairs, O G-d, do not forsake me” (Tehillim 71:18). Said with kavanah, these words become a heartfelt request for Hashem’s nearness and protection precisely when life changes.
The Full Tehillim 71
Below is the complete kapitel, the tefillah of one who has reached his later years and asks for Hashem’s continued nearness. It may be said in its entirety as a fitting tefillah for this stage of life.
A note on pronunciation: ch is a soft sound from the throat, as in “Bach”; ei sounds like “hey”; ai sounds like “eye”; o (Ashkenazi) as in “more.”
בְּךָ יְהֹוָה חָסִיתִי אַל אֵבוֹשָׁה לְעוֹלָם בְּצִדְקָתְךָ תַּצִּילֵנִי וּתְפַלְּטֵנִי הַטֵּה אֵלַי אָזְנְךָ וְהוֹשִׁיעֵנִי הֱיֵה לִי לְצוּר מָעוֹן לָבוֹא תָּמִיד צִוִּיתָ לְהוֹשִׁיעֵנִי כִּי סַלְעִי וּמְצוּדָתִי אָתָּה אֱלֹהַי פַּלְּטֵנִי מִיַּד רָשָׁע מִכַּף מְעַוֵּל וְחוֹמֵץ כִּי אַתָּה תִקְוָתִי אֲדֹנָי יֱהֹוִה מִבְטַחִי מִנְּעוּרָי עָלֶיךָ נִסְמַכְתִּי מִבֶּטֶן מִמְּעֵי אִמִּי אַתָּה גוֹזִי בְּךָ תְהִלָּתִי תָמִיד כְּמוֹפֵת הָיִיתִי לְרַבִּים וְאַתָּה מַחֲסִי עֹז יִמָּלֵא פִי תְּהִלָּתֶךָ כָּל הַיּוֹם תִּפְאַרְתֶּךָ אַל תַּשְׁלִיכֵנִי לְעֵת זִקְנָה כִּכְלוֹת כֹּחִי אַל תַּעַזְבֵנִי כִּי אָמְרוּ אוֹיְבַי לִי וְשֹׁמְרֵי נַפְשִׁי נוֹעֲצוּ יַחְדָּו לֵאמֹר אֱלֹהִים עֲזָבוֹ רִדְפוּ וְתִפְשׂוּהוּ כִּי אֵין מַצִּיל אֱלֹהִים אַל תִּרְחַק מִמֶּנִּי אֱלֹהַי לְעֶזְרָתִי חוּשָׁה יֵבֹשׁוּ יִכְלוּ שֹׂטְנֵי נַפְשִׁי יַעֲטוּ חֶרְפָּה וּכְלִמָּה מְבַקְשֵׁי רָעָתִי וַאֲנִי תָּמִיד אֲיַחֵל וְהוֹסַפְתִּי עַל כָּל תְּהִלָּתֶךָ פִּי יְסַפֵּר צִדְקָתֶךָ כָּל הַיּוֹם תְּשׁוּעָתֶךָ כִּי לֹא יָדַעְתִּי סְפֹרוֹת אָבוֹא בִּגְבֻרוֹת אֲדֹנָי יֱהֹוִה אַזְכִּיר צִדְקָתְךָ לְבַדֶּךָ אֱלֹהִים לִמַּדְתַּנִי מִנְּעוּרָי וְעַד הֵנָּה אַגִּיד נִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ וְגַם עַד זִקְנָה וְשֵׂיבָה אֱלֹהִים אַל תַּעַזְבֵנִי עַד אַגִּיד זְרוֹעֲךָ לְדוֹר לְכָל יָבוֹא גְּבוּרָתֶךָ וְצִדְקָתְךָ אֱלֹהִים עַד מָרוֹם אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ גְדֹלוֹת אֱלֹהִים מִי כָמוֹךָ אֲשֶׁר הִרְאִיתַנִי צָרוֹת רַבּוֹת וְרָעוֹת תָּשׁוּב תְּחַיֵּנִי וּמִתְּהֹמוֹת הָאָרֶץ תָּשׁוּב תַּעֲלֵנִי תֶּרֶב גְּדֻלָּתִי וְתִסֹּב תְּנַחֲמֵנִי גַּם אֲנִי אוֹדְךָ בִכְלִי נֶבֶל אֲמִתְּךָ אֱלֹהָי אֲזַמְּרָה לְךָ בְכִנּוֹר קְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל תְּרַנֵּנָּה שְׂפָתַי כִּי אֲזַמְּרָה לָּךְ וְנַפְשִׁי אֲשֶׁר פָּדִיתָ גַּם לְשׁוֹנִי כָּל הַיּוֹם תֶּהְגֶּה צִדְקָתֶךָ כִּי בֹשׁוּ כִי חָפְרוּ מְבַקְשֵׁי רָעָתִי
B'cho Hashem chosisi, al eivoshoh l'olom. B'tzidkos'cho tatzileini us'falteini, hatei eilai oznecho v'hoshi'eini. Heyei li l'tzur mo'on lovo tomid, tziviso l'hoshi'eini, ki sal'i um'tzudosi otoh. Elokai palteini miyad rosho, mikaf m'avel v'chomeitz. Ki atoh sikvosi, Adonoy Elokim, mivtachi min'urai. Olecho nismachti mibeten, mim'ei imi atoh gozi, b'cho s'hilosi somid. K'mofeis hoyisi l'rabim, v'atoh machasi oz. Yimolei fi s'hilosecho, kol hayom tif'artecho. Al tashlicheini l'eis ziknoh, kichlos kochi al ta'azveini. Ki om'ru oyvai li, v'shomrei nafshi no'atzu yachdov. Leimor Elokim azovo, ridfu v'sifsuhu ki ein matzil. Elokim al tirchak mimeni, Elokai l'ezrosi chushoh. Yeivoshu yichlu sotnei nafshi, ya'atu cherpoh uchlimoh m'vakshei ro'osi. Va'ani somid ayacheil, v'hosafti al kol t'hilosecho. Pi y'sapeir tzidkosecho, kol hayom t'shu'osecho, ki lo yodati s'foros. Ovo big'vuros Adonoy Elokim, azkir tzidkos'cho l'vadecho. Elokim limad'tani min'urai, v'ad heinoh agid nifl'osecho. V'gam ad ziknoh v'seivoh Elokim al ta'azveini, ad agid z'ro'acho l'dor, l'chol yovo g'vurosecho. V'tzidkos'cho Elokim ad morom, asher osiso g'dolos, Elokim mi chomocho. Asher hir'isani tzoros rabos v'ro'os, toshuv t'chayeini, umit'homos ho'oretz toshuv ta'aleini. Terev g'dulosi, v'sisov t'nachameini. Gam ani od'cho vichli nevel amit'cho Elokai, azamroh l'cho v'chinor k'dosh Yisroel. T'ranenoh s'fosai ki azamroh loch, v'nafshi asher podiso. Gam l'shoni kol hayom tehgeh tzidkosecho, ki voshu chi chof'ru m'vakshei ro'osi.
B'cha Hashem chasiti, al evosha l'olam. B'tzidkatcha tatzileni ut'fal'teni, hatei elai oznecha v'hoshi'eni. Heyeh li l'tzur ma'on lavo tamid, tzivita l'hoshi'eni, ki sal'i um'tzudati ata. Elokai pal'teni miyad rasha, mikaf m'avel v'chometz. Ki ata tikvati, Adonai Elokim, mivtachi min'urai. Alecha nismachti mibeten, mim'ei imi ata gozi, b'cha t'hilati tamid. K'mofet hayiti l'rabim, v'ata machasi oz. Yimalei fi t'hilatecha, kol hayom tif'artecha. Al tashlicheni l'et zikna, kichlot kochi al ta'azveni. Ki amru oyvai li, v'shomrei nafshi no'atzu yachdav. Leimor Elokim azavo, ridfu v'tifsuhu ki ein matzil. Elokim al tirchak mimeni, Elokai l'ezrati chusha. Yevoshu yichlu sotnei nafshi, ya'atu cherpa uchlima m'vakshei ra'ati. Va'ani tamid ayachel, v'hosafti al kol t'hilatecha. Pi y'saper tzidkatecha, kol hayom t'shu'atecha, ki lo yadati s'forot. Avo bigvurot Adonai Elokim, azkir tzidkatcha l'vadecha. Elokim limadtani min'urai, v'ad heina agid nifl'otecha. V'gam ad zikna v'seiva Elokim al ta'azveni, ad agid z'ro'acha l'dor, l'chol yavo g'vuratecha. V'tzidkatcha Elokim ad marom, asher asita g'dolot, Elokim mi chamocha. Asher hir'itani tzarot rabot v'ra'ot, tashuv t'chayeni, umit'homot ha'aretz tashuv ta'aleni. Terev g'dulati, v'tisov t'nachameni. Gam ani odcha vichli nevel amitcha Elokai, azamra l'cha v'chinor k'dosh Yisrael. T'ranena s'fatai ki azamra lach, v'nafshi asher padita. Gam l'shoni kol hayom tehgeh tzidkatecha, ki voshu chi chafru m'vakshei ra'ati.
In You, Hashem, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. In Your righteousness rescue me and deliver me; incline Your ear to me and save me. Be for me a sheltering rock to which I may always come; You have ordained my deliverance, for You are my rock and my fortress. My God, rescue me from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the scheming and the cruel. For You are my hope, my Lord, God; my trust since my youth. Upon You I have relied since birth; from my mother's womb You have been my support; my praise is always of You. I have become like a wonder to many, yet You are my mighty refuge. My mouth is filled with Your praise, with Your glory all day long. Do not cast me off in the time of old age; when my strength fails, do not forsake me. For my enemies speak against me, and those who watch for my soul take counsel together, saying, "God has forsaken him; pursue and seize him, for there is no one to save him." O God, do not be far from me; my God, hasten to my help. Let the accusers of my soul be shamed and consumed; let those who seek my harm be wrapped in disgrace and humiliation. But as for me, I will always hope, and I will add to all Your praise. My mouth will tell of Your righteousness, of Your salvation all day long, though I cannot know their number. I will come with the mighty acts of my Lord, God; I will recall Your righteousness, Yours alone. God, You have taught me since my youth, and to this day I declare Your wonders. And even into old age and grey years, God, do not forsake me, until I declare the strength of Your arm to the coming generation, Your might to all who are yet to come. Your righteousness, God, reaches the heights, for You have done great things; God, who is like You? You Who have shown me many and grievous troubles will revive me again, and from the depths of the earth You will raise me up once more. You will increase my greatness and turn to comfort me. I too will thank You with the lyre for Your faithfulness, my God; I will sing to You with the harp, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will sing for joy when I sing to You, and so will my soul, which You have redeemed. My tongue, too, will utter Your righteousness all day long, for those who sought my harm have been shamed and disgraced.
A Tefillah of Gratitude and Purpose
Before asking for the future, the tradition asks us first to give thanks. The years of parnassah, the strength to have worked, the families and communities built along the way — all of these are reason to stand before Hashem in hoda’ah (gratitude), the same gratitude expressed daily in the brachos of Modim. Retirement is a fitting moment to thank Hashem openly for sustaining you through every year of labor.
From gratitude, the tefillah turns toward purpose. One asks Hashem for continued health and clarity, for the zechus (merit) to use newfound time for limud haTorah (Torah study), for tefillah b’tzibur (communal prayer), and for chesed toward family and community. The Mishnah in Pirkei Avos speaks of the later years of life with dignity. Pirkei Avos 5:21 marks the stages of age — among them seivah (the fullness of years) at seventy and gevurah (strength) at eighty. A Jewish prayer for retirement can draw on that language, asking that these years be filled with purpose, steadiness, and strength.
A Tefillah, Not a Guarantee. Davening for a meaningful and healthy retirement is a cherished way to bring one’s hopes before Hashem. It is not a guarantee. The length of our years and the shape of our days rest entirely with Hashem, Who alone determines every outcome. Our task is to daven with sincerity, to do our hishtadlus (practical effort), and to trust in Him.
Pairing Your Tefillah With Tzedakah
Throughout the generations, Yidden have paired tefillah with tzedakah. Chazal teach that tzedakah is great, for it brings the geulah (redemption) closer (Bava Basra 10a). To accompany a prayer for retirement with giving for the poor of Israel is to bind one’s words to one’s deeds.
Rabbi Meir Baal Haness Charities has stood as a bridge between those seeking yeshuos (salvations) and the needy families of Eretz Yisroel for more than two hundred years. Founded in 1799, the organization continues the legacy of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness, the Tanna who, in longstanding Jewish tradition, pledged to intercede in Heaven for all who give tzedakah to the poor of Israel in his merit. The Gemara in Avodah Zarah 18b records the well-known plea “G-d of Meir, answer me!” (Eloka d’Meir aneni) in a story of Rabbi Meir’s yeshuah, and at his kever (gravesite) in Teveriah Yidden have long given tzedakah in his merit in that spirit. Today those donations are distributed to Torah scholars, widows, orphans, and families facing hardship throughout Eretz Yisroel.
Enter the Next Chapter With Brachah. As you daven for a healthy, purposeful retirement, continue the centuries-old tradition of pairing tefillah with tzedakah for the poor of Israel. Give Tzedakah in the Merit of Rabbi Meir
Common Questions About a Jewish Prayer for Retirement
There is no single fixed tefillah composed for the day a person retires, since retirement as we know it is a modern arrangement. Instead, the tradition offers the words of Tehillim, the brachos of gratitude, and one's own heartfelt tefillah for health, purpose, and the zechus to fill open time with Torah and chesed.
Many turn to Tehillim 92, which speaks of the righteous still bringing forth fruit in old age, and to Tehillim 71, the tefillah of one who asks Hashem not to forsake him in his later years. You may also open a Tehillim and say whichever perek speaks to your heart, for Hashem knows what you carry.
Yiddishkeit does not see retirement as an end of purpose. The Mishnah in Pirkei Avos describes the later years with dignity, as a time of seivah and gevurah, and the tradition encourages directing newfound time toward Torah, tefillah, and acts of kindness. One retires from an occupation, never from avodas Hashem.
No. Tefillah is a treasured way to bring our hopes before Hashem and to arouse Heavenly mercy, but it is never a guarantee. The length and shape of our years rest with Hashem alone. Many pair this tefillah with tzedakah in the merit of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness as an added zechus.
In the merit of Rabbi Meir Baal Haness, may you be blessed with Bracha and Hatzlochah, and may the years ahead be full of health, purpose, and nachas, bringing forth fruit in their season.
