Shiviti, 1921, 39 x 22 11/16in. (99.1 x 57.6cm), Opaque watercolor over graphite on cream wove paper, Israel, 20th century, The word shiviti (שויתי) comes from the Hebrew root shavah ( שוה) meaning 'to set or to place.' This comes from the psalm, 'I have set the Lord continually before me.' This verse can also be read as 'I am ever mindful of the Lord’s presence.' Its purpose is to serve as a visible, textual reminder of the divine presence by decoratively displaying various names and attributes of God. By focusing on the name of God, the believer is called beyond the physical object to a space of spiritual significance.

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