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This psalm is fascinating as it discusses the story of Purim hundreds of years before it occurred. David uttered it with Divine Inspiration. The question that begs to be asked is: Out of all the future events in Jewish history, why did David specifically see fit to talk about Purim?

His Involvement

The Alshich (Rabbi Moshe Alshich, 1508 – 1593) explains that David dedicated this psalm to Esther and the Purim story because he had a personal hand in the Jew’s salvation at that time. When David was fleeing from his evil son Avshalom he was confronted by a man from the tribe of Binyamin named Shimi Ben Geira. Shimi was a respected leader and was displeased with David. He cursed David in a most disparaging and vicious way. Although this act was considered a rebellion against the king and he truly deserved death, David would not allow his men to execute Shimi at that time (see II Samuel 16:5-13). David stated that the painful words that Shimi expressed were a message from Hashem to rebuke David and from which David had to learn. Shimi was a pawn to bring it out. (Shimi was later punished as was befitting for him by King Solomon as he still had freewill and was responsible for his own actions.)

Indeed, Shimi went on to have children and grandchildren with his later descendent being none other than Mordechai HaTzaddik from the Purim story. It is for this reason that this Psalm is the Song of the Day for Purim. David sang about Purim because he had a connection with the hero of Purim.

Deeper Meaning

Rabbi Moshe Wolfson shlit”a explained a profound idea about this. He stated that just as David was able to look past his personal feelings and see how Hashem was really the One behind the words and actions of Shimi, so too was the exact revelation brought about by Mordechai who came from Shimi. David used the opportunity of Shimi’s curse to connect with and acknowledge Hashem’s Guiding Hand in providence. In the merit of this recognition that was inadvertently caused by the actions of Shimi, Shimi merited to have a descendant named Mordechai who would teach the Jewish people the exact same lesson. Mordechai showed the Jews that despite all that appeared on the outside, Hashem was and is the Only One who is running the show.

Turning Towards Hashem

Esther states that she called out to Hashem to save her from Achasveirosh and to spare her nation (verse 2-3). “I call to You (Hashem) at day time and at night…. (verse 3).” It is for this reason that we read the Megillah during the night and day of Purim whereas any other holiday we only read its book once and not twice (see Megillah 4a). Purim teaches us to see Hashem’s Guiding Hand at all times. This is a recognition that is relevant every day of the year and at all times!

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