Reciting Tehillim After Sunset

Hello, 

A. According to the straightforward halachic view, it is permitted to recite Tehillim at night. However, according to Kabbalah, it is preferable to refrain from doing so so long as that person will study Oral Torah in its place. Indeed, if instead of reciting Tehillim at night that person will not engage in Torah at all, then even according to Kabbalah there is no need to refrain from reciting Tehillim at night. 

B. Also according to Kabbalah, there is no restriction on reciting Tehillim after midnight. Likewise, on Shabbat and Yom Tov it is permitted to recite Tehillim throughout the night even according to Kabbalah (Responsa Yabia Omer, volume 6, Orach Chaim, siman 30). 

C. Even the limitation according to Kabbalah on studying Tanach at night applies only from nightfall, but during bein ha-shemashot there is no concern (Responsa Mi Yehuda, Orach Chaim, siman 22, cited in Yabia Omer there, note 6). 

D. Many of the Ashkenazi poskim maintain that even according to Kabbalah, one may recite Tehillim in the manner of supplication and request - even before midnight (see Piskei Teshuvot, siman 238, note 3. Likewise, this is written in Alenu Leshabeach, volume 2, pages 731-732. See also Chazon Ovadia, Aveilut, volume 1, page 19, which permitted reciting Tehillim for a sick person even before midnight. Also see Orchot Maran, volume 2, page 854, which reports about Rav Ovadia Yosef zt"l that when one of the members of the household was sick, and several family members wanted to recite Tehillim for his recovery, he would permit them, even before midnight). 

With blessings, 

Hillel Meirs