Close To Torah

Psalm 18 is known as the “Song of David” as it was composed in David’s ripe old age after a life filled with trials and challenges lived with total reliance on Hashem. It is unique in that it is the only chapter in all of scripture that is repeated twice, once here and almost verbatim in II Samuel Chapter 22. Abarbanel (Rabbi Don Yitzhchak ben Yehuda, 1437 – 1508) explains that David composed it in his youth and carried it with him to recite throughout the trials of life. He further states that this prayer contains all of the feelings and emotions of someone in distress calling out to Hashem for help. It is obvious that the reason for its repetition is because of its expression of the greatest fundamentals in the entire Torah.

Year-round Pesach Message

The Vilna Goan states that this psalm is to be said on the seventh day of Pesach as its Song of the Day. Rabbi Mordechai Gifter zt”l explains the reason that this is most befitting. After the Jews suffered in the exile of Egypt they were redeemed and saved by Hashem. This psalm too expresses the exact same concept of exile and challenges and the salvation by Hashem. We sing and rejoice as we express our gratitude and love to Hashem.

Opening Recognition

When discussing his hardships, David introduces the psalm with two fascinating points. “A song by the servant of Hashem…” (verse 1). Firstly, even though David was in pain, he still sang to Hashem. This was because he knew with deep-rooted emunah, faith, that all that Hashem does is for the best. He was able to sing this! Secondly, David called himself, “the servant of Hashem.” This was once again a part of the theme of accepting the rulership of Hashem and knowing that Hashem runs the world according to His calculations about what is needed and best. David accepted this whole-heartedly and declared himself the humble servant of Hashem.

I Love You Hashem

The verses of this psalm are bursting with emotion. When someone is in pain, his emotions are touched and a spilling over. David took all of his pain and passion and declared that through the challenges, “I love You Hashem (verse 2).” This is a most powerful expression. How did he come to feel this way? David understood that all that Hashem does is for the best and thus any situation that I am in, whether physically and emotionally painful or enjoyable, are exactly the situation that Hashem has deemed appropriate for me. Thus, at times of suffering, David recognized that although he may not understand the reason for the pain, he knew that Hashem loves him and so David professed his love in return. May Hashem protect us from all pain and challenges and may the words of David uplift all of us to become greater people and to forge a deeper bond with Hashem.

 Print

Categories: Uncategorized Tags: