The Significance of “l’david Hashem Ori”

Question: What is the significance of "l’david hashem ori" that is said during this time?

Answer: The Midrash says that "Ori" refers to Rosh Hashana & "Yishi" refers to Yom Kippur. The source for saying L’David stems from different Kabbalistic sources who say that this Mizmor in Tehilim has great spiritual value & saying it can annul bad decrees which descend from Heaven. Since no strictly defined times are set, each community chooses its own minhag. Some suggest saying it 3 times a day - after Shachrit, Mincha & Maariv - not only during the month of Elul, but also the rest of the year. Ashkenazim say it day & evening, nusach S'fard morning & afternoon. Among Edot Mizrach, there are those who say L'David after Shacharit all year long, & before Ma'ariv during the month of Elul. The Vilna Gaon’s minhag is to refrain from saying it. As it mentions G-d sheltering us in His Sukka, we continue saying it until after Hoshana Raba.