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Once again this psalm has deep historical significance and adds insight into a fascinating experience in King David’s life. Midrash Socher Tov states that David stated, “Hashem, all that you created is for a purpose. Wisdom is the most beautiful of all accomplishments and I do not understand for what purpose did You create madness? David concluded his question to Hashem by stating, “What benefit do You derived by a lunatic walking around, ripping clothing, chased by children and mocked by all?” Hashem replied, “By your life David, you will someday need this madness and you will even pray for it!”

Personal Lesson

As could be expected, a very short time later David was fleeing from the wrath of Saul who was trying to kill him once again. On short notice David ran to the Philistines armed only with the sword which he had taken from Goliath after slaying him. Goliath’s brothers were the bodyguards of the Philistine King Achish of Gath. They recognized David and their dead brother’s sword and wanted their revenge. They finally got permission from the hesitant king who was fearful of the Jewish nation. David realized that he was now being pursued and he begged Hashem for help. Hashem asked David what he specifically wanted? David begged Hashem to please give him a measure of the madness which he had once criticized. David was then overtaken with madness and began to write graffiti on the city walls. He wrote, “King Achish owes me 100 coins and his wife owes me 50.” The mother and daughter of Achish also went mad at that moment. They began to shout and rant inside the palace while David was ranting outside of the palace. Achish was overwhelmed and he ordered his guards to throw David out of the city screaming, “I have enough crazy people inside my palace to contend with!” David was saved and composed this psalm in gratitude for his experience.

This entire episode requires deeper study. What is more disturbing is the prominence given to this psalm in that it is written in Alef-Beis order and it is recited as part of the introductory psalms on Shabbos and Yom Tov mornings. What is this all about?

The After-effect

King David walked away from the near death experience a changed man. He wished to proclaim Hashem’s rule to all (verse 4). He wished to share his lesson with the world without any embarrassment in revealing the episode. David learned the important lesson in life that Hashem runs His world in the most precise manner. Six days a week we work and are busy. We sometimes get distracted from sanity and the reality of life. We can lose focus on what is truly important. Shabbos is a day in which we are to restore our sanity. When we rest from work we have the ability to take a step back from our distractions and get our bearings straight.

This is the deeper meaning in that which Chazal tells us that when someone runs this diminishes part of his eyesight. However, drinking from the kiddush wine on Friday night restores it (Berachos 43b). Meiri (Rabbi Menachem Meiri, 1249- 1310) explains that this refers to the hustle and bustle of daily life that blinds one from reality and from focusing on his or her priorities. When one uses Shabbos properly and sanctifies it (kiddush) this restores one back to his senses and back to reality. This is the deep connection that this psalm and its fascinating historical story have to the holy day of Shabbos. It is written in Alef-Beis form because of its important lesson.

David taught us the importance of thanking Hashem with our full senses. We thank Him for granting us wisdom to serve Him and to study His laws. We thank Him for giving us Shabbos, the day of rest and the day of our great reality-check.

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