(ื) ืึทืึฐื ึทืฆึตึผืึท ืึดืึฐืืึนืจ ืึฐืึธืึดื: (ื) ืึฐึผืึธ ื’ ืึธืกึดืืชึดื ืึทื ืึตืืึนืฉึธืื ืึฐืขืึนืึธื ืึฐึผืฆึดืึฐืงึธืชึฐืึธ ืคึทืึฐึผืึตื ึดื:
(1) For the musician, a mizmor by David. (2) I have sought refuge with You, Hashem. Let me never feel embarrassed. In Your generous goodwill, save me.
NOTE: For a PDF of this mizmor, please click here. This will enable you to print out the entire text of the article. [Rev 6]
Key Concepts of Mizmor 031 – Rebuilding Bitachon
In this mizmor David provides us with an extended tefillah which reflects many of the moods and thoughts that a person may have in his personal conversation with Hashem.
The broad theme of the tefillah is the need to reconcile an individualโs bitachon in Hashem with the problems he is facing in his life. Even when those problems have not yet been resolved, David teaches us to be confident that the yeshuah (salvation) will come.
Along the way David visualizes the joy he will personally feel when Hashem has answered his tefillos. He then describes the agony he is currently suffering because the yeshuah has not yet appeared. Rebounding from this low point David takes courage and renews his call for help. He then praises Hashem for His goodness and thanks Him for His kindness. David concludes with a stirring call to his fellow Jews to love Hashem and to strengthen themselves in their devotion to Him.
Navigating Tehillim. Davidโs roller-coaster spiritual experience of Mizmor 031 is comparable to that in Mizmor 039 (Crisis of Conscience), where we again find him struggling to understand his place in Hashemโs plan.
Exploring the Mizmor
PART 1. DECLARATION OF BITACHON. David declares his bitachon in Hashem and appeals for His help.
(ื) ืึทืึฐื ึทืฆึตึผืึท ืึดืึฐืืึนืจ ืึฐืึธืึดื: (ื) ืึฐึผืึธ ื’ ืึธืกึดืืชึดื ืึทื ืึตืืึนืฉึธืื ืึฐืขืึนืึธื ืึฐึผืฆึดืึฐืงึธืชึฐืึธ ืคึทืึฐึผืึตื ึดื: (ื) ืึทืึตึผื ืึตืึทื ืึธืึฐื ึฐืึธ ืึฐืึตืจึธื ืึทืฆึดึผืืึตื ึดื ืึฑืึตื ืึดื ืึฐืฆืึผืจ ืึธืขืึนื ืึฐืึตืืช ืึฐืฆืึผืืึนืช ืึฐืืึนืฉึดืืืขึตื ึดื: (ื) ืึดึผื ืกึทืึฐืขึดื ืึผืึฐืฆืึผืึธืชึดื ืึธืชึธึผื ืึผืึฐืึทืขึทื ืฉึดืืึฐืึธ ืชึทึผื ึฐืึตื ึดื ืึผืชึฐื ึทืึฒืึตื ึดื: (ื) ืชึผืึนืฆึดืืึตื ึดื ืึตืจึถืฉึถืืช ืืึผ ืึธืึฐื ืึผ ืึดื ืึดึผื ืึทืชึธึผื ืึธืขืึผืึดึผื: (ื) ืึฐึผืึธืึฐืึธ ืึทืคึฐืงึดืื ืจืึผืึดื ืคึธึผืึดืืชึธื ืืึนืชึดื ื’ ืึตึพื ืึฑืึถืช: (ื) ืฉึธืื ึตืืชึดื ืึทืฉึนึผืืึฐืจึดืื ืึทืึฐืึตื ืฉึธืืึฐื ืึทืึฒื ึดื ืึถื ื’ ืึธึผืึธืึฐืชึดึผื:
(1) For the musician, a mizmor by David. (2) I have sought refuge with You, Hashem. Let me never feel embarrassed. In Your generous goodwill, save me. (3) Incline Your ear to me and quickly rescue me. May [my trust] be for me a sturdy rock, a built-up fortress to save me. (4) For You have been my towering Rock and You have been my Fortress. For [the honor of] Your Name lead me and guide me. (5) Extricate me from this net [that my enemies] have hidden to [catch] me. For You are my stronghold. (6) I will entrust my living spirit into Your hand for You saved me Hashem, G-d of truth. (7) I have come to hate those who depend on worthless fantasies. As for me, I trust in Hashem!
PART 2. ANTICIPATION OF JOY. David visualizes the joy he will feel when Hashem has answered his tefillos:
(ื) ืึธืึดืืึธื ืึฐืึถืฉึฐืืึฐืึธื ืึฐึผืึทืกึฐืึถึผืึธ ืึฒืฉึถืืจ ืจึธืึดืืชึธ ืึถืช ืขึธื ึฐืึดื ืึธืึทืขึฐืชึธึผ ืึฐึผืฆึธืจืึนืช ื ึทืคึฐืฉึดืื: (ื) ืึฐืึนื ืึดืกึฐืึทึผืจึฐืชึทึผื ึดื ืึฐึผืึทื ืืึนืึตื ืึถืขึฑืึทืึฐืชึธึผ ืึทืึถึผืจึฐืึธื ืจึทืึฐืึธื:
(8) I will feel exultation. I will rejoice in Your loving kindness that You have seen my affliction, that You have known the troubles of my soul. (9) And You have not turned me over to the clutches of the foe. Instead You have set my feet on a wide-open place.
PART 3. PLEA FOR RELIEF. However, the yeshuah has not yet come and David pleads to be granted relief from his current troubles:
(ื) ืึธื ึตึผื ึดื ื’ ืึดึผื ืฆึทืจ ืึดื ืขึธืฉึฐืืฉึธืื ืึฐืึทืขึทืก ืขึตืื ึดื ื ึทืคึฐืฉึดืื ืึผืึดืึฐื ึดื: (ืื) ืึดึผื ืึธืืึผ ืึฐืึธืืึนื ืึทืึทึผื ืึผืฉึฐืื ืึนืชึทื ืึทึผืึฒื ึธืึธื ืึธึผืฉึทืื ืึทึผืขึฒืึนื ึดื ืึนืึดื ืึทืขึฒืฆึธืึทื ืขึธืฉึตืืฉืืึผ: (ืื) ืึดืึธึผื ืฆึนืจึฐืจึทื ืึธืึดืืชึดื ืึถืจึฐืคึธึผื ืึฐืึดืฉึฒืืึตื ึทื ืึฐืึนื ืึผืคึทืึทื ืึดืึฐืึปืึธึผืขึธื ืจึนืึทื ืึทึผืืึผืฅ ื ึธืึฐืืึผ ืึดืึถึผื ึดึผื: (ืื) ื ึดืฉึฐืืึทึผืึฐืชึดึผื ืึฐึผืึตืช ืึดืึตึผื ืึธืึดืืชึดื ืึดึผืึฐืึดื ืึนืึตื: (ืื) ืึดึผื ืฉึธืืึทืขึฐืชึดึผื ืึดึผืึทึผืช ืจึทืึดึผืื ืึธืืึนืจ ืึดืกึธึผืึดืื ืึฐึผืึดืึธึผืกึฐืึธื ืึทืึทื ืขึธืึทื ืึธืงึทืึทืช ื ึทืคึฐืฉึดืื ืึธืึธืืึผ:
(10) Grant me Your favor, Hashem, for I am in distress; My eye is dimmed from the anger [of my enemies]. [I feel it] in my soul and my stomach. (11) For my life is consumed with anguish and my years with sighing. Because of my iniquity my strength has failed and my bones are wasted away. (12) Because of so many tormentors I have become [an object of] derision to my neighbors and fright to my close friends. [People] seeing me on the street move away from me. (13) I have become as forgotten as a dead person, [vanished] from the heart. I have become like a lost vessel. (14) But I hear the conspiracies of many, terrorizing all around.
Navigating Tehillim. In verse 10 David speaks of the physical and spiritual distress that the ill-will of his enemies has upon him: โMy eye is dimmed from the anger [of my enemies]. [I feel it] in my soul and my stomach.โ This recalls a similar thought in verse 8 of Mizmor 006, which is a tefillah to be healed from affliction: โMy eye is dimmed from anger, aged by all my tormentors.โ
PART 4. RENEWAL OF BITACHON. David renews his bitachon in Hashem and pleads for His yeshuah:
(ืื) ืึทืึฒื ึดื ืขึธืึถืืึธ ืึธืึทืึฐืชึดึผื ื’ ืึธืึทืจึฐืชึดึผื ืึฑืึนืึทื ืึธืชึธึผื: (ืื) ืึฐึผืึธืึฐืึธ ืขึดืชึนึผืชึธื ืึทืฆึดึผืืึตื ึดื ืึดืึทึผื ืืึนืึฐืึทื ืึผืึตืจึนืึฐืคึธื: (ืื) ืึธืึดืืจึธื ืคึธื ึถืืึธ ืขึทื ืขึทืึฐืึถึผืึธ ืืึนืฉึดืืืขึตื ึดื ืึฐืึทืกึฐืึถึผืึธ: (ืื) ื’ ืึทื ืึตืืึนืฉึธืื ืึดึผื ืงึฐืจึธืืชึดืืึธ ืึตืึนืฉืืึผ ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดืื ืึดืึฐึผืืึผ ืึดืฉึฐืืืึนื: (ืื) ืชึตึผืึธืึทืึฐื ึธื ืฉึดืืคึฐืชึตื ืฉึธืืงึถืจ ืึทืึนึผืึฐืจืึนืช ืขึทื ืฆึทืึดึผืืง ืขึธืชึธืง ืึฐึผืึทืึฒืึธื ืึธืืึผื:
(15) But as for me, I have trusted in You, Hashem. I said, โYou are my G-d.โ (16) My times are in Your hand. Rescue me from the hand of my foes and from my pursuers. (17) Shine Your face upon Your servant. Save me in Your kindness. (18) Hashem, let me not feel disheartened after having called upon You. Let the reshaโim be disheartened. Let them [be sent in] silence to the grave (19) May lying lips be struck dumb, [lips] that speak harshly against the righteous person with pride and contempt.
PART 5. PRAISE AND GRATITUDE. Empowered by his new strengthened bitachon, David praises Hashem for His goodness and thanks Him for His kindness:
(ื) ืึธื ืจึทื ืืึผืึฐืึธ ืึฒืฉึถืืจ ืฆึธืคึทื ึฐืชึธึผ ืึดึผืืจึตืึถืืึธ ืคึธึผืขึทืึฐืชึธึผ ืึทืึนืกึดืื ืึธึผืึฐ ื ึถืึถื ืึฐึผื ึตื ืึธืึธื: (ืื) ืชึทึผืกึฐืชึดึผืืจึตื ืึฐึผืกึตืชึถืจ ืคึธึผื ึถืืึธ ืึตืจึปืึฐืกึตื ืึดืืฉื ืชึดึผืฆึฐืคึฐึผื ึตื ืึฐึผืกึปืึธึผื ืึตืจึดืื ืึฐืฉึนืื ืึนืช: (ืื) ืึธึผืจืึผืึฐ ื’ ืึดึผื ืึดืคึฐืึดืื ืึทืกึฐืึผืึน ืึดื ืึฐึผืขึดืืจ ืึธืฆืึนืจ: (ืื) ืึทืึฒื ึดื ืึธืึทืจึฐืชึดึผื ืึฐืึธืคึฐืึดื ื ึดืึฐืจึทืึฐืชึดึผื ืึดื ึถึผืึถื ืขึตืื ึถืืึธ ืึธืึตื ืฉึธืืึทืขึฐืชึธึผ ืงืึนื ืชึทึผืึฒื ืึผื ึทื ืึฐึผืฉึทืืึฐึผืขึดื ืึตืึถืืึธ:
(20) How abundant is Your goodness that You have hidden away for those who fear You. You have acted for those who seek refuge in You in the presence of [all] men. (21) You conceal them in the hiding place of Your Presence,
from the schemes of men. You treasure them in a shelter from the strife of tongues. (22) Blessed is Hashem, for He has been wondrously kind to me, [secure as] in a fortified city. (23) And I said in my panic, โI am cut off from Your sight!โ But in truth, You heard the sound of my pleas when I cried to You.
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PART 6. MESSAGE TO THE NATION. David encourages Klal Yisrael to increase their devotion and trust in Hashem:
(ืื) ืึถืึฑืืึผ ืึถืช ื’ ืึธึผื ืึฒืกึดืืึธืื ืึฑืืึผื ึดืื ื ึนืฆึตืจ ื’ ืึผืึฐืฉึทืืึตึผื ืขึทื ืึถืชึถืจ ืขึนืฉึตืื ืึทืึฒืึธื: (ืื) ืึดืึฐืงืึผ ืึฐืึทืึฒืึตืฅ ืึฐืึทืึฐืึถื ืึธึผื ืึทืึฐืึทืึฒืึดืื ืึทื’:
(24) Love Hashem, all His devout ones! Hashem protects the faithful, but He repays the one who acts haughtily, for his arrogance. (25) Be strong, and your hearts will take courage, all who wait longingly for Hashem.
Additional Thoughts
In Mizmor 031 we see David experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions and attitudes. He is at times calmly confident, earnestly pleading, joyfully expectant, painfully suffering, humbly supplicating, deeply grateful, agonizingly self-doubting, and enthusiastically inspired. What ties it all together is the key thought in the second posuk: โI have sought refuge with You, Hashem. Let me never feel embarrassed.โ
A person feels embarrassed when actual events in life are at variance with the self-image that he has created for himself and for the outside world. His state of embarrassment is a sign of his bewilderment, a recognition that the image was a lie.
But if a person places his trust in Hashem, his self-image is that of a frail human being who seeks to do what is right, even if he does not always succeed. He knows that whatever may happen to him is ultimately part of Hashemโs plan for him. If he can hold that thought, there is no need for embarrassment or bewilderment.
During the days of sefirah preceding Shavuos, we are aware of being on a steady progression toward the spiritual goal of Kabolas Torah. Each count seems to represent a single, uniform increment in this progression, but in truth our spiritual growth is not steady. Some days we make great leaps forward while on others we lose the momentum and get sidetracked. The important thing is not to be discouraged, but to keep the goal in sight and remember that we are in Hashemโs care.
Learning the Mizmor
PART 1. DECLARATION OF BITACHON.
(ื) ืึทืึฐื ึทืฆึตึผืึท ืึดืึฐืืึนืจ ืึฐืึธืึดื:
This song has been prepared for the musician โ ืึทืึฐื ึทืฆึตึผืึท , who will perform it. It is a mizmor composed by David โ ืึดืึฐืืึนืจ ืึฐืึธืึดื .
(ื) ืึฐึผืึธ ื’ ืึธืกึดืืชึดื
ืึทื ืึตืืึนืฉึธืื ืึฐืขืึนืึธื
ืึทื ืึตืืึนืฉึธืื ืึฐืขืึนืึธื
Throughout my life I have sought refuge and trusted in You alone, Hashem, โ ืึฐึผืึธ ื’ ืึธืกึดืืชึดื . I have taken shelter under Your wing and have devoted myself to Your mitzvos. I humbly ask You to show Your continued care for me. Let me never feel embarrassed โ ืึทื ืึตืืึนืฉึธืื ืึฐืขืึนืึธื โ when my commitment to You remains unanswered.
ืึฐึผืฆึดืึฐืงึธืชึฐืึธ ืคึทืึฐึผืึตื ึดื:
In Your generous goodwill โ ืึฐึผืฆึดืึฐืงึธืชึฐืึธ โ towards me, save me โ ืคึทืึฐึผืึตื ึดื โ from my present trouble.
(ื) ืึทืึตึผื ืึตืึทื ืึธืึฐื ึฐืึธ
ืึฐืึตืจึธื ืึทืฆึดึผืืึตื ึดื
ืึฐืึตืจึธื ืึทืฆึดึผืืึตื ึดื
The threat I am now facing is so imminent that I ask You not to wait. Even if my tefillah is not sufficiently worthy to ascend to You, incline Your ear to me โ ืึทืึตึผื ืึตืึทื ืึธืึฐื ึฐืึธ โ and hear me. Then come and quickly rescue me โ ืึฐืึตืจึธื ืึทืฆึดึผืืึตื ึดื .
ืึฑืึตื ืึดื ืึฐืฆืึผืจ ืึธืขืึนื
ืึฐืึตืืช ืึฐืฆืึผืืึนืช ืึฐืืึนืฉึดืืืขึตื ึดื:
ืึฐืึตืืช ืึฐืฆืึผืืึนืช ืึฐืืึนืฉึดืืืขึตื ึดื:
May my trust in You be for me like a sturdy rock โ ืึฑืึตื ืึดื ืึฐืฆืึผืจ ืึธืขืึนื โ upon which I can be secure, beyond the reach of my enemies. May it be for me like a built-up fortress to save me โ ืึฐืึตืืช ืึฐืฆืึผืืึนืช ืึฐืืึนืฉึดืืืขึตื ึดื โ behind impenetrable barricades. When the enemy sees my confidence in Your yeshuah he will be discouraged from even attempting an attack.
(ื) ืึดึผื ืกึทืึฐืขึดื ืึผืึฐืฆืึผืึธืชึดื ืึธืชึธึผื
For in the past You have been my towering Rock โ ืึดึผื ืกึทืึฐืขึดื โ to Whom I could flee when I was beset by harmful forces and You have been my Fortress โ ืึผืึฐืฆืึผืึธืชึดื ืึธืชึธึผื , high up on a cliff to protect me within its walls.
ืึผืึฐืึทืขึทื ืฉึดืืึฐืึธ
ืชึทึผื ึฐืึตื ึดื ืึผืชึฐื ึทืึฒืึตื ึดื:
ืชึทึผื ึฐืึตื ึดื ืึผืชึฐื ึทืึฒืึตื ึดื:
And so in the future I ask that for the honor of Your Name โ ืึผืึฐืึทืขึทื ืฉึดืืึฐืึธ โ with which Yisrael is identified around the world, You should lead me โ ืชึทึผื ึฐืึตื ึดื โ to safety and guide me to keep me going even if I stumble on the way โ ืึผืชึฐื ึทืึฒืึตื ึดื .
(ื) ืชึผืึนืฆึดืืึตื ึดื ืึตืจึถืฉึถืืช ืืึผ ืึธืึฐื ืึผ ืึดื
ืึดึผื ืึทืชึธึผื ืึธืขืึผืึดึผื:
ืึดึผื ืึทืชึธึผื ืึธืขืึผืึดึผื:
Even if I stumble into sin, I look to You to help me and extricate me from this net โ ืชึผืึนืฆึดืืึตื ึดื ืึตืจึถืฉึถืืช ืืึผ โ of immorality that wicked people have hidden to catch me โ ืึธืึฐื ืึผ ืึดื โ and lead me astray. For You are my Stronghold โ ืึดึผื ืึทืชึธึผื ืึธืขืึผืึดึผื , my foundation of truth.
(ื) ืึฐึผืึธืึฐืึธ ืึทืคึฐืงึดืื ืจืึผืึดื
ืคึธึผืึดืืชึธื ืืึนืชึดื ื’ ืึตึพื ืึฑืึถืช:
ืคึธึผืึดืืชึธื ืืึนืชึดื ื’ ืึตึพื ืึฑืึถืช:
I will continue to commit myself to You and will continue to rely upon You to save me from danger. I will entrust my living spirit into Your hand โ ืึฐึผืึธืึฐืึธ ืึทืคึฐืงึดืื ืจืึผืึดื โ for just as You saved me โ ืคึธึผืึดืืชึธื ืืึนืชึดื โ in the past, I am confident that You will save me again and for that I will owe You my devotion. You will surely help me for You are Hashem โ ื’ , the G-d of mercy, and You are the G-d of truth โ ืึตึพื ืึฑืึถืช , Who keeps His promises.
(ื) ืฉึธืื ึตืืชึดื ืึทืฉึนึผืืึฐืจึดืื ืึทืึฐืึตื ืฉึธืืึฐื
ืึทืึฒื ึดื ืึถื ื’ ืึธึผืึธืึฐืชึดึผื:
ืึทืึฒื ึดื ืึถื ื’ ืึธึผืึธืึฐืชึดึผื:
I have come to hate โ ืฉึธืื ึตืืชึดื โ those misguided people who chose to depend on worthless fantasies โ ืึทืฉึนึผืืึฐืจึดืื ืึทืึฐืึตื ืฉึธืืึฐื , such as superstitious beliefs or luck. As for me, I have chosen to look to Hashem and it is to Him that I trust โ ืึทืึฒื ึดื ืึถื ื’ ืึธึผืึธืึฐืชึดึผื .
PART 2. ANTICIPATION OF JOY.
(ื) ืึธืึดืืึธื ืึฐืึถืฉึฐืืึฐืึธื ืึฐึผืึทืกึฐืึถึผืึธ
When You save me I will immediately feel a burst of exultation โ ืึธืึดืืึธื . My happiness will continue as I rejoice โ ืึฐืึถืฉึฐืืึฐืึธื โ in the knowledge that what has happened is evidence of Your loving kindness โ ืึฐึผืึทืกึฐืึถึผืึธ โ and Your care for me.
ืึฒืฉึถืืจ ืจึธืึดืืชึธ ืึถืช ืขึธื ึฐืึดื
ืึธืึทืขึฐืชึธึผ ืึฐึผืฆึธืจืึนืช ื ึทืคึฐืฉึดืื:
ืึธืึทืขึฐืชึธึผ ืึฐึผืฆึธืจืึนืช ื ึทืคึฐืฉึดืื:
I will be grateful that You have seen and noticed my physical affliction โ ืึฒืฉึถืืจ ืจึธืึดืืชึธ ืึถืช ืขึธื ึฐืึดื . I will be filled with joy that You have known and felt individual concern for the troubles of my soul โ ืึธืึทืขึฐืชึธึผ ืึฐึผืฆึธืจืึนืช ื ึทืคึฐืฉึดืื .
(ื) ืึฐืึนื ืึดืกึฐืึทึผืจึฐืชึทึผื ึดื ืึฐึผืึทื ืืึนืึตื
ืึถืขึฑืึทืึฐืชึธึผ ืึทืึถึผืจึฐืึธื ืจึทืึฐืึธื:
ืึถืขึฑืึทืึฐืชึธึผ ืึทืึถึผืจึฐืึธื ืจึทืึฐืึธื:
And I will be grateful that You have entrusted me with the freedom to choose life. You have not turned me over to the clutches of the foe โ ืึฐืึนื ืึดืกึฐืึทึผืจึฐืชึทึผื ึดื ืึฐึผืึทื ืืึนืึตื โ where I would be compelled to act. Instead You have set my feet on a wide-open place โ ืึถืขึฑืึทืึฐืชึธึผ ืึทืึถึผืจึฐืึธื ืจึทืึฐืึธื , so that I have the freedom to go where I please and do teshuvah by my own choice rather than as a reaction to constraint.
PART 3. PLEA FOR RELIEF.
(ื) ืึธื ึตึผื ึดื ื’ ืึดึผื ืฆึทืจ ืึดื
ืขึธืฉึฐืืฉึธืื ืึฐืึทืขึทืก ืขึตืื ึดื ื ึทืคึฐืฉึดืื ืึผืึดืึฐื ึดื:
ืขึธืฉึฐืืฉึธืื ืึฐืึทืขึทืก ืขึตืื ึดื ื ึทืคึฐืฉึดืื ืึผืึดืึฐื ึดื:
Grant me Your favor, Hashem โ ืึธื ึตึผื ึดื ื’ , for I am in distress โ ืึดึผื ืฆึทืจ ืึดื . My eye is dimmed from the pain of facing the anger of my enemies โ ืขึธืฉึฐืืฉึธืื ืึฐืึทืขึทืก ืขึตืื ึดื . I suffer from the pain that I feel in my very soul and the hunger that I feel in my stomach โ ื ึทืคึฐืฉึดืื ืึผืึดืึฐื ึดื .
(ืื) ืึดึผื ืึธืืึผ ืึฐืึธืืึนื ืึทืึทึผื ืึผืฉึฐืื ืึนืชึทื ืึทึผืึฒื ึธืึธื
ืึธึผืฉึทืื ืึทึผืขึฒืึนื ึดื ืึนืึดื ืึทืขึฒืฆึธืึทื ืขึธืฉึตืืฉืืึผ:
ืึธึผืฉึทืื ืึทึผืขึฒืึนื ึดื ืึนืึดื ืึทืขึฒืฆึธืึทื ืขึธืฉึตืืฉืืึผ:
For my life is consumed with anguish โ ืึดึผื ืึธืืึผ ืึฐืึธืืึนื ืึทืึทึผื โ and my years are consumed with sighing โ ืึผืฉึฐืื ืึนืชึทื ืึทึผืึฒื ึธืึธื โ as I think about my enduring troubles. Because of my iniquity my strength has failed โ ืึธึผืฉึทืื ืึทึผืขึฒืึนื ึดื ืึนืึดื โ and my bones are wasted away โ ืึทืขึฒืฆึธืึทื ืขึธืฉึตืืฉืืึผ .
(ืื) ืึดืึธึผื ืฆึนืจึฐืจึทื ืึธืึดืืชึดื ืึถืจึฐืคึธึผื
ืึฐืึดืฉึฒืืึตื ึทื ืึฐืึนื ืึผืคึทืึทื ืึดืึฐืึปืึธึผืขึธื
ืึฐืึดืฉึฒืืึตื ึทื ืึฐืึนื ืึผืคึทืึทื ืึดืึฐืึปืึธึผืขึธื
Because so many tormentors โ ืึดืึธึผื ืฆึนืจึฐืจึทื โ have risen against me, the rest of the world has come to doubt me. I have become an object of derision โ ืึธืึดืืชึดื ืึถืจึฐืคึธึผื โ and people are ashamed of knowing me and of having any dealings with me. Particularly, I am a disgrace to my neighbors โ ืึฐืึดืฉึฒืืึตื ึทื ืึฐืึนื โ who cannot entirely avoid contact with me. I have become a source of fright to my close friends โ ืึผืคึทืึทื ืึดืึฐืึปืึธึผืขึธื โ who are afraid of having any dealings with me.
ืจึนืึทื ืึทึผืืึผืฅ ื ึธืึฐืืึผ ืึดืึถึผื ึดึผื:
People who see me on the street โ ืจึนืึทื ืึทึผืืึผืฅ โ move away from me โ ื ึธืึฐืืึผ ืึดืึถึผื ึดึผื โ because the sight of me is distasteful to them.
(ืื) ื ึดืฉึฐืืึทึผืึฐืชึดึผื ืึฐึผืึตืช ืึดืึตึผื
I have become as forgotten as a dead person โ ื ึดืฉึฐืืึทึผืึฐืชึดึผื ืึฐึผืึตืช โ for whom there is no hope of life. I have vanished from the heart โ ืึดืึตึผื โ of my friends because they no longer expect me to recover from my situation.
ืึธืึดืืชึดื ืึดึผืึฐืึดื ืึนืึตื:
I have become like a lost object โ ืึธืึดืืชึดื ืึดึผืึฐืึดื ืึนืึตื โ which is of little value; its owners donโt remember it and donโt bother to look for it.
(ืื) ืึดึผื ืฉึธืืึทืขึฐืชึดึผื ืึดึผืึทึผืช ืจึทืึดึผืื
ืึธืืึนืจ ืึดืกึธึผืึดืื
ืึธืืึนืจ ืึดืกึธึผืึดืื
My friends have given up on me, but I hear the active conspiracies of my many โ ืึดึผื ืฉึธืืึทืขึฐืชึดึผื ืึดึผืึทึผืช ืจึทืึดึผืื โ enemies. They are on every side and sow terror all around โ ืึธืืึนืจ ืึดืกึธึผืึดืื .
ืึฐึผืึดืึธึผืกึฐืึธื ืึทืึทื ืขึธืึทื
ืึธืงึทืึทืช ื ึทืคึฐืฉึดืื ืึธืึธืืึผ:
ืึธืงึทืึทืช ื ึทืคึฐืฉึดืื ืึธืึธืืึผ:
When they conspired together against me โ ืึฐึผืึดืึธึผืกึฐืึธื ืึทืึทื ืขึธืึทื , they plotted to take my very soul โ ืึธืงึทืึทืช ื ึทืคึฐืฉึดืื ืึธืึธืืึผ .
PART 4. RENEWAL OF BITACHON.
(ืื) ืึทืึฒื ึดื ืขึธืึถืืึธ ืึธืึทืึฐืชึดึผื ื’
ืึธืึทืจึฐืชึดึผื ืึฑืึนืงึทื ืึธืชึธึผื:
ืึธืึทืจึฐืชึดึผื ืึฑืึนืงึทื ืึธืชึธึผื:
But as for me โ ืึทืึฒื ึดื , even though my enemies think You have forgotten me, I have trusted in You, Hashem โ ืขึธืึถืืึธ ืึธืึทืึฐืชึดึผื ื’ . I said, โYou are my G-dโ โ ืึธืึทืจึฐืชึดึผื ืึฑืึนืงึทื ืึธืชึธึผื . It is You that controls my life, not they.
(ืื) ืึฐึผืึธืึฐืึธ ืขึดืชึนึผืชึธื
ืึทืฆึดึผืืึตื ึดื ืึดืึทึผื ืืึนืึฐืึทื ืึผืึตืจึนืึฐืคึธื:
ืึทืฆึดึผืืึตื ึดื ืึดืึทึผื ืืึนืึฐืึทื ืึผืึตืจึนืึฐืคึธื:
In contrast to the misguided people who think their lives are controlled by chance or by demonic forces I know that my times are in Your hand โ ืึฐึผืึธืึฐืึธ ืขึดืชึนึผืชึธื . Everything that happens to me is determined by You and even the specific times that my enemies have chosen to attack me are actually Yours, not theirs. So I look to You to rescue me โ ืึทืฆึดึผืืึตื ึดื โ both from the hand of my foes โ ืึดืึทึผื ืืึนืึฐืึทื , who act out of hatred, and from my pursuers โ ืึผืึตืจึนืึฐืคึธื , who act out of greed.
(ืื) ืึธืึดืืจึธื ืคึธื ึถืืึธ ืขึทื ืขึทืึฐืึถึผืึธ
Shine Your face of love and goodwill upon Your servant โ ืึธืึดืืจึธื ืคึธื ึถืืึธ ืขึทื ืขึทืึฐืึถึผืึธ to accept my tefillah and relieve the darkness which now surrounds me. By shining Your face openly upon me, the world will see that You reward those who are devoted to You.
ืืึนืฉึดืืืขึตื ึดื ืึฐืึทืกึฐืึถึผืึธ:
Save me in Your kindness โ ืืึนืฉึดืืืขึตื ึดื ืึฐืึทืกึฐืึถึผืึธ โ because although I am as submissive as a servant to You I have no right to count on Your favor.
(ืื) ื’ ืึทื ืึตืืึนืฉึธืื ืึดึผื ืงึฐืจึธืืชึดืืึธ
O Hashem, let me not feel disheartened โ ื’ ืึทื ืึตืืึนืฉึธืื โ and bewildered by being turned back empty-handed after having called upon You โ ืึดึผื ืงึฐืจึธืืชึดืืึธ โ and having committed myself to You!
ืึตืึนืฉืืึผ ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดืื
ืึดืึฐึผืืึผ ืึดืฉึฐืืืึนื:
ืึดืึฐึผืืึผ ืึดืฉึฐืืืึนื:
Let the reshaโim who sought my doom be disheartened โ ืึตืึนืฉืืึผ ืจึฐืฉึธืืขึดืื โ by the defeat of their false hopes. Let them lose their self-confidence and be sent in silence to the grave โ ืึดืึฐึผืืึผ ืึดืฉึฐืืืึนื .
(ืื) ืชึตึผืึธืึทืึฐื ึธื ืฉึดืืคึฐืชึตื ืฉึธืืงึถืจ
ืึทืึนึผืึฐืจืึนืช ืขึทื ืฆึทืึดึผืืง ืขึธืชึธืง ืึฐึผืึทืึฒืึธื ืึธืืึผื:
ืึทืึนึผืึฐืจืึนืช ืขึทื ืฆึทืึดึผืืง ืขึธืชึธืง ืึฐึผืึทืึฒืึธื ืึธืืึผื:
May their lying lips be struck dumb โ ืชึตึผืึธืึทืึฐื ึธื ืฉึดืืคึฐืชึตื ืฉึธืืงึถืจ . Lips that were created for tefillah are instead being used for slander and deserve to be silenced. These are lips that speak โ ืึทืึนึผืึฐืจืึนืช โ harshly against the righteous person โ ืขึทื ืฆึทืึดึผืืง ืขึธืชึธืง โ with pride and contempt โ ืึฐึผืึทืึฒืึธื ืึธืืึผื . They arrogantly think they are happier and better.
PART 5. PRAISE AND GRATITUDE.
(ื) ืึธื ืจึทื ืืึผืึฐืึธ
ืึฒืฉึถืืจ ืฆึธืคึทื ึฐืชึธึผ ืึดึผืืจึตืึถืืึธ
ืึฒืฉึถืืจ ืฆึธืคึทื ึฐืชึธึผ ืึดึผืืจึตืึถืืึธ
How abundant is Your goodness โ ืึธื ืจึทื ืืึผืึฐืึธ โ that You have hidden away to be truly appreciated only by those who fear You โ ืึฒืฉึถืืจ ืฆึธืคึทื ึฐืชึธึผ ืึดึผืืจึตืึถืืึธ .
ืคึธึผืขึทืึฐืชึธึผ ืึทืึนืกึดืื ืึธึผืึฐ
ื ึถืึถื ืึฐึผื ึตื ืึธืึธื:
ื ึถืึถื ืึฐึผื ึตื ืึธืึธื:
You have acted for the well-being of those who seek refuge in You โ ืคึธึผืขึทืึฐืชึธึผ ืึทืึนืกึดืื ืึธึผืึฐ โ and You have done so in the presence of all men โ ื ึถืึถื ืึฐึผื ึตื ืึธืึธื , though they walk in ignorance and do not know it.
(ืื) ืชึทึผืกึฐืชึดึผืืจึตื ืึฐึผืกึตืชึถืจ ืคึธึผื ึถืืึธ
ืึตืจึปืึฐืกึตื ืึดืืฉื
ืชึดึผืฆึฐืคึฐึผื ึตื ืึฐึผืกึปืึธึผื ืึตืจึดืื ืึฐืฉึนืื ืึนืช:
ืึตืจึปืึฐืกึตื ืึดืืฉื
ืชึดึผืฆึฐืคึฐึผื ึตื ืึฐึผืกึปืึธึผื ืึตืจึดืื ืึฐืฉึนืื ืึนืช:
You conceal them in the hiding place of Your Presence โ ืชึทึผืกึฐืชึดึผืืจึตื ืึฐึผืกึตืชึถืจ ืคึธึผื ึถืืึธ , protecting them from the schemes of arrogant men โ ืึตืจึปืึฐืกึตื ืึดืืฉื . You treasure them in Your shelter โ ืชึดึผืฆึฐืคึฐึผื ึตื ืึฐึผืกึปืึธึผื โ and isolate them from the strife of evil tongues โ ืึตืจึดืื ืึฐืฉึนืื ืึนืช .
(ืื) ืึธึผืจืึผืึฐ ื’
ืึดึผื ืึดืคึฐืึดืื ืึทืกึฐืึผืึน ืึดื ืึฐึผืขึดืืจ ืึธืฆืึนืจ:
ืึดึผื ืึดืคึฐืึดืื ืึทืกึฐืึผืึน ืึดื ืึฐึผืขึดืืจ ืึธืฆืึนืจ:
I too have benefited from Hashemโs protection, and I thank Him for that: Blessed is Hashem โ ืึธึผืจืึผืึฐ ื’ , for He has been wondrously kind to me โ ืึดึผื ืึดืคึฐืึดืื ืึทืกึฐืึผืึน ืึดื . He has made me as secure as in a fortified city โ ืึฐึผืขึดืืจ ืึธืฆืึนืจ .
(ืื) ืึทืึฒื ึดื ืึธืึทืจึฐืชึดึผื ืึฐืึธืคึฐืึดื
ื ึดืึฐืจึทืึฐืชึดึผื ืึดื ึถึผืึถื ืขึตืื ึถืืึธ
ื ึดืึฐืจึทืึฐืชึดึผื ืึดื ึถึผืึถื ืขึตืื ึถืืึธ
Even though when fortune went against me I was afraid that my sins were unforgivable and I said in my panic โ ืึทืึฒื ึดื ืึธืึทืจึฐืชึดึผื ืึฐืึธืคึฐืึดื , โI am cut off from Your sightโ โ ื ึดืึฐืจึทืึฐืชึดึผื ืึดื ึถึผืึถื ืขึตืื ึถืืึธ !
ืึธืึตื ืฉึธืืึทืขึฐืชึธึผ ืงืึนื ืชึทึผืึฒื ืึผื ึทื ืึฐึผืฉึทืืึฐึผืขึดื ืึตืึถืืึธ:
But in truth, You heard the sound of my pleas โ ืึธืึตื ืฉึธืืึทืขึฐืชึธึผ ืงืึนื ืชึทึผืึฒื ืึผื ึทื โ when I cried to You โ ืึฐึผืฉึทืืึฐึผืขึดื ืึตืึถืืึธ โ because You understood that I was sincerely penitent.
PART 6. MESSAGE TO THE NATION.
(ืื) ืึถืึฑืืึผ ืึถืช ื’ ืึธึผื ืึฒืกึดืืึธืื
ืึฑืืึผื ึดืื ื ึนืฆึตืจ ื’
ืึผืึฐืฉึทืืึตึผื ืขึทื ืึถืชึถืจ ืขึนืฉึตืื ืึทืึฒืึธื:
ืึฑืืึผื ึดืื ื ึนืฆึตืจ ื’
ืึผืึฐืฉึทืืึตึผื ืขึทื ืึถืชึถืจ ืขึนืฉึตืื ืึทืึฒืึธื:
Having seen the kindness He has done, you should surely love Hashem in your actions, all you who are His devout ones โ ืึถืึฑืืึผ ืึถืช ื’ ืึธึผื ืึฒืกึดืืึธืื ! You see how Hashem protects the faithful โ ืึฑืืึผื ึดืื ื ึนืฆึตืจ ื’ , who depend on Him, but as for the one who acts haughtily, He repays him for his arrogance โ ืึผืึฐืฉึทืืึตึผื ืขึทื ืึถืชึถืจ ืขึนืฉึตืื ืึทืึฒืึธื .
(ืื) ืึดืึฐืงืึผ ืึฐืึทืึฒืึตืฅ ืึฐืึทืึฐืึถื
ืึธึผื ืึทืึฐืึทืึฒืึดืื ืึทื’:
ืึธึผื ืึทืึฐืึทืึฒืึดืื ืึทื’:
And to those who are desperately hoping for a yeshuah, I say, be strong โ ืึดืึฐืงืึผ , and you will find that your hearts will take courage โ ืึฐืึทืึฒืึตืฅ ืึฐืึทืึฐืึถื . All you who wait longingly for Hashem โ ืึธึผื ืึทืึฐืึทืึฒืึดืื ืึทื’ โ will not be disappointed.
Living the Mizmor
Listed below are some of the lessons that you can draw from this mizmor, as well as some of the thoughts you might have in mind when you say the words of the mizmor as a tefillah, expressing your devotion to Hashem.
Lessons for Life – Your Yeshuah.
[31:2] EMBARRASSMENT. โ ืึฐึผืึธ ื’ ืึธืกึดืืชึดื ืึทื ืึตืืึนืฉึธืื ืึฐืขืึนืึธื ืึฐึผืฆึดืึฐืงึธืชึฐืึธ ืคึทืึฐึผืึตื ึดื โ โI have sought refuge with You, Hashem. Let me never feel embarrassed. In Your generous goodwill, save me.โ Ask Hashem to protect you and save you for you are depending on no one but Him. Ask that you never be embarrassed at having relied on Hashem.
[31:18] โ ื’ ืึทื ืึตืืึนืฉึธืื ืึดึผื ืงึฐืจึธืืชึดืืึธ โ โHashem, let me not feel disheartened after having called upon You.โ
Tefillos for Life – Your Relationship with Hashem.
[31:3] INCLINE YOUR EAR. โ ืึทืึตึผื ืึตืึทื ืึธืึฐื ึฐืึธ โ โIncline Your ear to me.โ Tell Hashem that even if your tefillah is not sufficiently worthy to ascend to Him, He should incline His ear to you and hear you.
[31:6] ENTRUSTING MY LIFE. โ ืึฐึผืึธืึฐืึธ ืึทืคึฐืงึดืื ืจืึผืึดื โ โI will entrust my living spirit into Your hand.โ Appeal to Hashem to save you because you depend on Him alone.
[31:17] A SHINING FACE. โ ืึธืึดืืจึธื ืคึธื ึถืืึธ ืขึทื ืขึทืึฐืึถึผืึธ โ โShine Your face upon Your servant.โ Ask Hashem to show you His love and goodwill. By shining His face openly upon you, the world will see that Hashem rewards those who are devoted to Him.
Tehillos for Life – Contemplation of Hashem.
[31:4] FORTRESS. โ ืึดึผื ืกึทืึฐืขึดื ืึผืึฐืฆืึผืึธืชึดื ืึธืชึธึผื โ โFor You have been my towering Rock and You have been my Fortress.โ Hashem is totally reliable, like the most impenetrable fortress.
[31:20] GOODNESS. โ ืึธื ืจึทื ืืึผืึฐืึธ ืึฒืฉึถืืจ ืฆึธืคึทื ึฐืชึธึผ ืึดึผืืจึตืึถืืึธ โ โHow abundant is Your goodness that You have hidden away for those who fear You.โ Hashemโs true goodness is reserved for those who appreciate it.
Lessons for Life – Your Attitude.
[31:7] TIME TO HATE. โ ืฉึธืื ึตืืชึดื ืึทืฉึนึผืืึฐืจึดืื ืึทืึฐืึตื ืฉึธืืึฐื โ โI have come to hate those who depend on worthless fantasies.โ Hatred of evil is sometimes necessary to avoid being caught up in it.
[31:24] LOVE AND DEVOTION. โ ืึถืึฑืืึผ ืึถืช ื’ ืึธึผื ืึฒืกึดืืึธืื โ โLove Hashem, all His devout ones!โ Love of Hashem must be based on your complete and faithful devotion to Him alone.
[31:25] COURAGE. โ ืึดืึฐืงืึผ ืึฐืึทืึฒืึตืฅ ืึฐืึทืึฐืึถื ืึธึผื ืึทืึฐืึทืึฒืึดืื ืึทื’ โ โBe strong, and your hearts will take courage, all who wait longingly for Hashem.โ No matter how difficult things are for you, have confidence that the yeshuah will surely come.
Lessons for Life – Your Behavior.
[31:17] A SHINING FACE. โ ืึธืึดืืจึธื ืคึธื ึถืืึธ ืขึทื ืขึทืึฐืึถึผืึธ โ โShine Your face upon Your servant.โ Emulate the attributes of Hashem and show goodwill towards all the people in your life. Showing a smile can be a great kindness.
Lessons for Life – Your Gratitude.
[31:8] EMPATHY. โ ืึธืึดืืึธื ืึฐืึถืฉึฐืืึฐืึธื ืึฐึผืึทืกึฐืึถึผืึธ ืึฒืฉึถืืจ ืจึธืึดืืชึธ ืึถืช ืขึธื ึฐืึดื โ โI will feel exultation. I will rejoice in Your loving kindness that You have seen my affliction.โ Thank Hashem for His sympathetic and understanding care in easing your difficulties. When you realize His personal concern you should feel a burst of exultation.
[31:9] FREE WILL. โ ืึถืขึฑืึทืึฐืชึธึผ ืึทืึถึผืจึฐืึธื ืจึทืึฐืึธื โ โYou have set my feet on a wide-open place.โ Thank Hashem for giving you the freedom to choose your way in life. Humbly ask for His guidance in making the right choice.
[31:22] SECURITY. โ ืึธึผืจืึผืึฐ ื’ ืึดึผื ืึดืคึฐืึดืื ืึทืกึฐืึผืึน ืึดื ืึฐึผืขึดืืจ ืึธืฆืึนืจ โ โBlessed is Hashem, for He has been wondrously kind to me, [secure as] in a fortified city.โ Thank Hashem for making you feel secure.
Tefillos for Life – Your Anguish.
[31:11] YEARS OF PAIN. โ ืึดึผื ืึธืืึผ ืึฐืึธืืึนื ืึทืึทึผื ืึผืฉึฐืื ืึนืชึทื ืึทึผืึฒื ึธืึธื โ โFor my life is consumed with anguish and my years with sighing.โ By declaring and contemplating your suffering, you are demonstrating that its purpose has been served and your tefillah for a yeshuah should be answered.
Sources
The primary sources used in the interpretation of the verses of this mizmor are listed below.
ื – ืจืฉืจ”ื
ื – ืืื ืขืืจื, ืจื”ืง, ืกืคืืจื ื, ืืฆืืืืช, ื ืจ ืืจืืื
ื – ืืื ืขืืจื, ืจื”ืง, ืืืืืจื, ืกืคืืจื ื, ืืืจ ืืืจืื, ื ืจ ืืจืืื
ื – ืจื”ืง, ืืืื”ื
ื – ืืื ืืืืื, ืืฆืืืืช, ืืืจ”ื ืืขืืฅ, ื ืจ ืืจืืื
ื – ืืื ืขืืจื, ืจืฉืจ”ื, ื ืจ ืืจืืื
ื – ืจืฉ”ื, ืืื ืขืืจื, ืืฆืืืืช, ืืืจ ืืืจืื,ืจืฉืจ”ื
ื – ืืื ืขืืจื, ืจื”ืง, ืืฆืืืืช, ืืืื”ื, ืจืฉืจ”ื
ื – ืืื ืขืืจื, ืจื”ืง, ื ืจ ืืจืืื,
ื – ืจื”ืง, ืืืื”ื, ื ืจ ืืจืืื
ืื – ืืฆืืืืช, ืืืจ ืืืจืื
ืื – ืจืฉ”ื, ืืื ืขืืจื, ืืฆืืืืช, ืจืฉืจ”ื
ืื – ืจืฉ”ื, ืจื”ืง, ืืืืืจื, ืืฆืืืืช
ืื – ืจืฉ”ื, ืจื”ืง, ืืืื”ื
ืื – ืืื ืขืืจื, ืจื”ืง
ืื – ืจืฉ”ื, ืืื ืขืืจื, ืจื”ืง, ืืืืืจื,ืืฆืืืืช, ื ืจ ืืจืืื
ืื – ืืื ืขืืจื, ืจื”ืง, ืืืืืจื, ืกืคืืจื ื, ืืืจ ืืืจืื, ืืืื”ื, ื ืจ ืืจืืื
ืื – ืจื”ืง, ืืืืืจื
ืื – ืืื ืขืืจื, ืกืคืืจื ื, ื ืจ ืืจืืื, ืจืฉืจ”ื
ื – ืืื ืขืืจื, ืจืฉืจ”ื
ืื – ืืื ืขืืจื, ืจื”ืง, ืจืฉืจ”ื
ืื – ืจื”ืง, ืืฆืืืืช, ืืืจ ืืืจืื
ืื – ืืืืืจื, ืืืจ ืืืจืื, ื ืจ ืืจืืื
ืื – ืจืฉ”ื, ืืื ืขืืจื, ืืืืืจื, ืืฆืืืืช, ืืืจ ืืืจืื
ืื – ืจืฉ”ื, ืืื ืขืืจื, ืจื”ืง,