One is permitted to read [Tehillim] at night if he studies [its meaning] along with the reading.
Sources and Explanations
In the sefer Yesod VeShoresh HaAvodah (Sha’ar 6, Sha’ar HaNitzotz, chapter 2) it says: “You may study a pasuk (verse) with Rashi’s commentary even at night, for what the Arizal warned, that a person should not study a pasuk at night, his warning refers to one who reads pesukim without explanation. Therefore, a person should be careful, when he studies a pasuk at night, not to say several words as written without their translation into the vernacular, even words whose meaning is understood and familiar, such as ‘And Hashem said to Yehoshua’ etc. He should be careful not to say them without the translation into the vernacular, since he is under a standing warning not to read a pasuk at night without explanation, and what difference is there between a complete pasuk or a third or a quarter of one? But when he explains the passage, every word in the vernacular, there is no danger at all. Except regarding studying a pasuk on Friday night: on the night of Shabbat Kodesh one need not be careful about this.” Likewise, the Kaf HaChaim (of Rabbi Chaim Palagi, siman 31, ot 55) was lenient, and he cites the sefer Derech HaChaim of the Lissa Rav (folio 246a) that for those who are accustomed to read the weekly parashah, it is proper that it be with Rashi’s commentary, because night is not the time for Mikra (Scripture). The Ben Ish Chai (Pekudei, ot 7) wrote that if one reads the Mikra in other languages in order to learn the explanation of the Mikra in that language, it is obviously permitted. I subsequently saw that Responsa Levushei Mordechai (Mahadura Tinyana, Orach Chaim, siman 186) also wrote that if one reads Mikra together with Rashi’s commentary and the Rishonim, this is considered as studying the Oral Torah, and it is permitted.
From the sefer “Shaf Veyativ – Laws of Saying Tehillim” by Rabbi Shay Tahan, Chapter 2: The Proper Times for Saying Tehillim, Halacha 12 (p. 23 in the print edition). Translated from the Hebrew original.
