(א) לַמְנַצֵּחַ שִׁיר מִזְמוֹר הָרִיעוּ לֵאלֹקִים כָּל הָאָרֶץ:
(1) For the musician, a song, a mizmor. Hail G-d with a joyful salute, all the earth!
NOTE: For a PDF of this mizmor, please click here. This will enable you to print out the entire text of the article. [Rev. 1]
Key Concepts of Mizmor 066 – A Celebration of Yeshuah
In this mizmor, David anticipates our future joy over the Geulah (Redemption) after a long and bitter Exile. It is a song of praise and gratitude to Hashem in which David celebrates our survival and our yeshuah (salvation). The mizmor is also designed to be sung by people such as we who are eagerly waiting for the yeshuah. By expressing our yearning and anticipation of that great event, we demonstrate the reasons we are asking Hashem to bring the Geulah now.
Exploring the Mizmor
David begins the mizmor with a call to the nations of the world which have been instrumental in carrying out the persecution of Yisrael throughout the long Exile. He asks them to recognize the error of their ways and the clear evidence of Hashem’s greatness that they have now witnessed. He also calls upon them to rejoice in seeing the Jewish people vindicated in their loyalty to Hashem. This also implies a responsibility on the part of the Jewish people to show themselves as being worthy of being a model for the sanctification of Hashem’s Name.
David then turns to Yisrael and calls upon them to celebrate their survival and their renewed relationship with Hashem. They will celebrate their survival by fulfilling the vows that they made when they appealed to Hashem to save them from the sufferings of the exile.
David concludes with thanks to Hashem for His kindness in accepting our tefillos and not holding against us the random negative thoughts which may have appeared in our minds during the time when we prayed to Him.
PART 1. CALL TO THE NATIONS. David calls upon the nations of the world to acknowledge and praise the glory of Hashem.
(א) לַמְנַצֵּחַ שִׁיר מִזְמוֹר הָרִיעוּ לֵאלֹקִים כָּל הָאָרֶץ: (ב) זַמְּרוּ כְבוֹד שְׁמוֹ שִׂימוּ כָבוֹד תְּהִלָּתוֹ: (ג) אִמְרוּ לֵאלֹקִים מַה נּוֹרָא מַעֲשֶׂיךָ בְּרֹב עֻזְּךָ יְכַחֲשׁוּ לְךָ אֹיְבֶיךָ: (ד) כָּל הָאָרֶץ יִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְךָ וִיזַמְּרוּ לָךְ יְזַמְּרוּ שִׁמְךָ סֶלָה:
(1) For the musician, a song, a mizmor. Hail G-d with a joyful salute, all [you peoples of] the earth! (2) Sing of the glory of His Name. Render glory [by singing] His praise. (3) Say to G-d, “How awesome are Your deeds! Because of Your great power , Your foes deny [their enmity] to You.” (4) All the earth bows to You and they sing [in homage] to You. They sing Your Name, Selah!
PART 2. SURVIVAL. David encourges the Jewish people to look back in gratitude for the times in the past when Hashem has ensured their survival despite the threats of extinction. He asks the nations of the world to join in to the song, since they have now been privileged to witness the truth.
(ה) לְכוּ וּרְאוּ מִפְעֲלוֹת אֱלֹקִים נוֹרָא עֲלִילָה עַל בְּנֵי אָדָם: (ו) הָפַךְ יָם לְיַבָּשָׁה בַּנָּהָר יַעַבְרוּ בְרָגֶל שָׁם נִשְׂמְחָה בּוֹ: (ז) מֹשֵׁל בִּגְבוּרָתוֹ עוֹלָם עֵינָיו בַּגּוֹיִם תִּצְפֶּינָה הַסּוֹרְרִים אַל ירימו יָרוּמוּ לָמוֹ סֶלָה: (ח) בָּרְכוּ עַמִּים אֱלֹקֵינוּ וְהַשְׁמִיעוּ קוֹל תְּהִלָּתוֹ: (ט) הַשָּׂם נַפְשֵׁנוּ בַּחַיִּים וְלֹא נָתַן לַמּוֹט רַגְלֵנוּ:
(5) [Let Jews say to each other:] Come and see the works of G-d. Awesome is [His] methodology [of control] over [the history of] mankind. (6) He turned the Sea into dry land. They crossed the River on foot [to enter Eretz Yisrael]. There we will rejoice in Him. (7) He rules with His [unique] power forever. His eyes scrutinize the nations. Let not the disobedient think highly of themselves, Selah.
(8) [Addressing the nations:] Bless our G-d, you peoples. Make the sound of His praise heard. (9) [Praise G-d] Who has kept us alive and He did not let our foot falter.
PART 3. THROUGH FIRE AND WATER. David now turns to Hashem in the name of the Jewish people to express their recognition of the purpose that was served in the suffering they endured throughout the Exile. It was a long and arduous test that refined and purified the souls of our people. David concludes this part with an expression of gratitude for the yeshuah that has finally come about.
(י) כִּי בְחַנְתָּנוּ אֱלֹקִים צְרַפְתָּנוּ כִּצְרָף כָּסֶף: (יא) הֲבֵאתָנוּ בַמְּצוּדָה שַׂמְתָּ מוּעָקָה בְמָתְנֵינוּ: (יב) הִרְכַּבְתָּ אֱנוֹשׁ לְרֹאשֵׁנוּ בָּאנוּ בָאֵשׁ וּבַמַּיִם וַתּוֹצִיאֵנוּ לָרְוָיָה:
(10) For You tested us [in our Exile] O G-d. You refined us as one refines silver. (11) You brought us into confinement. You placed restraints upon our limbs. (12) You let men ride over us. We came through fire and water. [But now] You brought us out to abundance.
PART 4. KEEPING THE PROMISE. During the times when Jews are in distress they cry out to Hashem for His help. They strengthen their confidence in that yeshuah by vowing to bring offerings to Hashem in gratitude. David now reiterates the intent of the Jewish people to fulfill their vows and thereby make the yeshuah certain.
(יג) אָבוֹא בֵיתְךָ בְעוֹלוֹת אֲשַׁלֵּם לְךָ נְדָרָי: (יד) אֲשֶׁר פָּצוּ שְׂפָתָי וְדִבֶּר פִּי בַּצַּר לִי: (טו) עֹלוֹת מֵחִים אַעֲלֶה לָּךְ עִם קְטֹרֶת אֵילִים אֶעֱשֶׂה בָקָר עִם עַתּוּדִים סֶלָה:
(13) [Hashem,] I shall come into Your House with burnt-offerings. I shall fulfill my vows to You… (14) … that my lips uttered and my mouth spoke in my distress. (15) I will offer up to You burnt-offerings of fatted animals with the sweet smoke of rams. I will prepare bulls with he-goats. Selah.
PART 5. CONCLUSION. David concludes the mizmor by expressing the gratitude of the Jewish people for the kindnesses that Hashem has shown them, especially for listening to their prayers and responding to them, even when the prayers were incomplete or marred by sin.
(טז) לְכוּ שִׁמְעוּ וַאֲסַפְּרָה כָּל יִרְאֵי אֱלֹקִים אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה לְנַפְשִׁי: (יז) אֵלָיו פִּי קָרָאתִי וְרוֹמַם תַּחַת לְשׁוֹנִי: (יח) אָוֶן אִם רָאִיתִי בְלִבִּי לֹא יִשְׁמַע אֲדֹ־נָי: (יט) אָכֵן שָׁמַע אֱלֹקִים הִקְשִׁיב בְּקוֹל תְּפִלָּתִי: (כ) בָּרוּךְ אֱלֹקִים אֲשֶׁר לֹא הֵסִיר תְּפִלָּתִי וְחַסְדּוֹ מֵאִתִּי:
(16) Come and listen so that I may tell all [you] who fear G-d what He did for my soul. (17) My mouth called out to Him and exaltation was under my tongue.(18) [Even] if I had allowed [thoughts of] iniquity in my heart, Hashem would not have listened. (19) Indeed, G-d has heard. He has listened to the sound of my prayer. (20) Blessed is G-d, Who has not turned away my prayer nor His lovingkindness from me.
Learning the Mizmor
PART 1. CALL TO THE NATIONS.
(א) לַמְנַצֵּחַ שִׁיר מִזְמוֹר
This song has been prepared for the musician — לַמְנַצֵּחַ , who will perform it. It is a mizmor composed by David — מִזְמוֹר – in the special form of a song — שִׁיר – that expresses enthusiasm in praise and gratitude to Hashem for the yeshuah that He has brought about.
הָרִיעוּ לֵאלֹקִים כָּל הָאָרֶץ:
Hail G-d with a joyful salute — הָרִיעוּ לֵאלֹקִים , all you peoples of the earth — כָּל הָאָרֶץ !
(ב) זַמְּרוּ כְבוֹד שְׁמוֹ
שִׂימוּ כָבוֹד תְּהִלָּתוֹ:
שִׂימוּ כָבוֹד תְּהִלָּתוֹ:
Sing about the glory of His Name — זַמְּרוּ כְבוֹד שְׁמוֹ , which has now been restored after a bitter period of Exile when the nations questioned His authority. Render the glory — שִׂימוּ כָבוֹד – that is fitting to Him by singing His praise — תְּהִלָּתוֹ .
(ג) אִמְרוּ לֵאלֹקִים מַה נּוֹרָא מַעֲשֶׂיךָ
בְּרֹב עֻזְּךָ יְכַחֲשׁוּ לְךָ אֹיְבֶיךָ:
בְּרֹב עֻזְּךָ יְכַחֲשׁוּ לְךָ אֹיְבֶיךָ:
Acknowledge to G-d that you are convinced of His truth. Say to G-d — אִמְרוּ לֵאלֹקִים , “How awesome is the fact of Your many deeds — מַה נּוֹרָא מַעֲשֶׂיךָ ! Because of Your great power — בְּרֹב עֻזְּךָ , which You reveal in the forces of nature and the events of history, Your foes are forced to deny their enmity to You — יְכַחֲשׁוּ לְךָ אֹיְבֶיךָ – and they declare allegiance to You.”
(ד) כָּל הָאָרֶץ יִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְךָ וִיזַמְּרוּ לָךְ
יְזַמְּרוּ שִׁמְךָ סֶלָה:
יְזַמְּרוּ שִׁמְךָ סֶלָה:
All the people of the earth bows in submission to You — כָּל הָאָרֶץ יִשְׁתַּחֲווּ לְךָ – and they sing in homage to You — וִיזַמְּרוּ לָךְ . Then, as they gain understanding of Your majesty, they proceed to sing in contemplation of Your sovereignty as expressed by Your Name — יְזַמְּרוּ שִׁמְךָ . At that point their commitment will be eternal, never to be rescinded Selah — סֶלָה !
PART 2. SURVIVAL.
(ה) לְכוּ וּרְאוּ מִפְעֲלוֹת אֱלֹקִים
נוֹרָא עֲלִילָה עַל בְּנֵי אָדָם:
נוֹרָא עֲלִילָה עַל בְּנֵי אָדָם:
[Let Jews say to each other:] Come and see the wondrous works of G-d — לְכוּ וּרְאוּ מִפְעֲלוֹת אֱלֹקִים . It is not only the completed acts that are impressive. He acts through a chain of events that can only be understood by seeing the finished result. Awesome indeed is the complex methodology — נוֹרָא עֲלִילָה – by which He controls human history to exert His will over mankind — עַל בְּנֵי אָדָם .
(ו) הָפַךְ יָם לְיַבָּשָׁה
בַּנָּהָר יַעַבְרוּ בְרָגֶל
שָׁם נִשְׂמְחָה בּוֹ:
בַּנָּהָר יַעַבְרוּ בְרָגֶל
שָׁם נִשְׂמְחָה בּוֹ:
He turned the Sea of Reeds into dry land — הָפַךְ יָם לְיַבָּשָׁה – to enable the Jewish people to escape slavery in Mitzrayim. Then, after 40 years in the Midbar, He stopped the flow of the Yardein River and they crossed the river on foot to enter the Land of Canaan — בַּנָּהָר יַעַבְרוּ בְרָגֶל . There, when we return to Eretz Yisrael, we will rejoice in Him — שָׁם נִשְׂמְחָה בּוֹ – to see how His glory is finally revealed.
(ז) מֹשֵׁל בִּגְבוּרָתוֹ עוֹלָם
עֵינָיו בַּגּוֹיִם תִּצְפֶּינָה
הַסּוֹרְרִים אַל יָרוּמוּ לָמוֹ סֶלָה:
עֵינָיו בַּגּוֹיִם תִּצְפֶּינָה
הַסּוֹרְרִים אַל יָרוּמוּ לָמוֹ סֶלָה:
He rules with His unique power forever — מֹשֵׁל בִּגְבוּרָתוֹ עוֹלָם . His is the power of gevurah, which involves the ability to restrain display of His might, by watching how the nations will use or abuse their sovereignty over Yisrael. Thus, His eyes scrutinize the behavior of the nations — עֵינָיו בַּגּוֹיִם תִּצְפֶּינָה . Let the not disobedient think highly of themselves — הַסּוֹרְרִים אַל יָרוּמוּ לָמוֹ – for having destroyed the Bais Hamikdash. They will be called to accounting in due course, Selah — סֶלָה .
(ח) בָּרְכוּ עַמִּים אֱלֹקֵינוּ
וְהַשְׁמִיעוּ קוֹל תְּהִלָּתוֹ:
וְהַשְׁמִיעוּ קוֹל תְּהִלָּתוֹ:
[Addressing the nations:] Think carefully about what you have seen and bless our G-d, O you peoples of the world — בָּרְכוּ עַמִּים אֱלֹקֵינוּ . Make the sound of His praise heard — וְהַשְׁמִיעוּ קוֹל תְּהִלָּתוֹ – for the miraculous manner in which He has enabled Israel to survive thousands of years of unremitting persecution and oppression.
(ט) הַשָּׂם נַפְשֵׁנוּ בַּחַיִּים
וְלֹא נָתַן לַמּוֹט רַגְלֵנוּ:
וְלֹא נָתַן לַמּוֹט רַגְלֵנוּ:
Praise G-d Who has kept us alive — הַשָּׂם נַפְשֵׁנוּ בַּחַיִּים – throughout all these years of physical and spiritual persecution, and when we were about to waver, He did not let our foot falter — וְלֹא נָתַן לַמּוֹט רַגְלֵנוּ – in a way that we would be unable to rise again.
PART 3. THROUGH FIRE AND WATER.
(י) כִּי בְחַנְתָּנוּ אֱלֹקִים
צְרַפְתָּנוּ כִּצְרָף כָּסֶף:
צְרַפְתָּנוּ כִּצְרָף כָּסֶף:
[Addressing Hashem:] For You tested us in our Exile, O G-d — כִּי בְחַנְתָּנוּ אֱלֹקִים , to encourage us to do teshuvah. You refined us as one refines silver in the heat of fire — צְרַפְתָּנוּ כִּצְרָף –כָּסֶף – to remove its impurities.
(יא) הֲבֵאתָנוּ בַמְּצוּדָה
שַׂמְתָּ מוּעָקָה בְמָתְנֵינוּ:
שַׂמְתָּ מוּעָקָה בְמָתְנֵינוּ:
You brought us into confinement — הֲבֵאתָנוּ בַמְּצוּדָה – of a ghetto existence, surrounded by hostile nations. You placed restraints upon our limbs — שַׂמְתָּ מוּעָקָה בְמָתְנֵינוּ – to limit our freedom of movement.
(יב) הִרְכַּבְתָּ אֱנוֹשׁ לְרֹאשֵׁנוּ
בָּאנוּ בָאֵשׁ וּבַמַּיִם וַתּוֹצִיאֵנוּ לָרְוָיָה:
בָּאנוּ בָאֵשׁ וּבַמַּיִם וַתּוֹצִיאֵנוּ לָרְוָיָה:
In earlier times we answered only to You, but once we went into Exile You let men of the lowest moral level ride over us — הִרְכַּבְתָּ אֱנוֹשׁ לְרֹאשֵׁנוּ , imposing their authority. We came through the tribulations of fire and water — בָּאנוּ בָאֵשׁ וּבַמַּיִם . But now the yeshuah is here and You brought us out to abundance — וַתּוֹצִיאֵנוּ לָרְוָיָה .
PART 4. KEEPING THE PROMISE.
(יג) אָבוֹא בֵיתְךָ בְעוֹלוֹת
אֲשַׁלֵּם לְךָ נְדָרָי:
אֲשַׁלֵּם לְךָ נְדָרָי:
Hashem , when I was in dire straits I pleaded for Your help. I was confident that You would answer me and so I vowed that when the Geulah comes I would express my thanks with offerings of gratitude in Your holy House. That blessed time has come and I shall now come into Your House with burnt-offerings — אָבוֹא בֵיתְךָ בְעוֹלוֹת . Thus, I shall fulfill my vows to You — אֲשַׁלֵּם לְךָ נְדָרָי .
(יד) אֲשֶׁר פָּצוּ שְׂפָתָי
וְדִבֶּר פִּי בַּצַּר לִי:
וְדִבֶּר פִּי בַּצַּר לִי:
These were the vows that my lips uttered — אֲשֶׁר פָּצוּ שְׂפָתָי – and my mouth spoke in my distress — וְדִבֶּר פִּי בַּצַּר לִי .
(טו) עֹלוֹת מֵחִים אַעֲלֶה לָּךְ
עִם קְטֹרֶת אֵילִים
אֶעֱשֶׂה בָקָר עִם עַתּוּדִים סֶלָה:
עִם קְטֹרֶת אֵילִים
אֶעֱשֶׂה בָקָר עִם עַתּוּדִים סֶלָה:
I will offer up to You burnt-offerings of fatted animals — עֹלוֹת מֵחִים אַעֲלֶה לָּךְ , with the sweet smoke of rams — עִם קְטֹרֶת אֵילִים . I will prepare the finest bulls with he-goats — אֶעֱשֶׂה בָקָר עִם עַתּוּדִים , Selah — סֶלָה .
PART 5. CONCLUSION.
(טז) לְכוּ שִׁמְעוּ וַאֲסַפְּרָה כָּל יִרְאֵי אֱלֹקִים
אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה לְנַפְשִׁי:
אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה לְנַפְשִׁי:
[David speaks to the Jewish people:] Come and listen so that I may tell — לְכוּ שִׁמְעוּ וַאֲסַפְּרָה – all you who fear G-d — כָּל יִרְאֵי אֱלֹקִים – what Hashem did for my soul — אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה לְנַפְשִׁי .
(יז) אֵלָיו פִּי קָרָאתִי
וְרוֹמַם תַּחַת לְשׁוֹנִי:
וְרוֹמַם תַּחַת לְשׁוֹנִי:
When I was in distress, I turned to Him — אֵלָיו – in supplication with the words of my mouth — –פִּי and then my whole being called out to Him — קָרָאתִי . But before I had fully l expressed my supplication, He had decreed my yeshuah. And so my grateful exaltation was already under my tongue — וְרוֹמַם תַּחַת לְשׁוֹנִי .
(יח) אָוֶן אִם רָאִיתִי בְלִבִּי
לֹא יִשְׁמַע אֲדֹ־נָי:
לֹא יִשְׁמַע אֲדֹ־נָי:
Even if I had allowed thoughts of iniquity in my heart — אָוֶן אִם רָאִיתִי בְלִבִּי , Hashem would not have listened to them — לֹא יִשְׁמַע אֲדֹ־נָי – and would not have counted them against me. In His mercy He does not consider unspoken evil thoughts as though they had been spoken.
(יט) אָכֵן שָׁמַע אֱלֹקִים
הִקְשִׁיב בְּקוֹל תְּפִלָּתִי:
הִקְשִׁיב בְּקוֹל תְּפִלָּתִי:
Indeed — אָכֵן , the Geulah is here! G-d has heard — שָׁמַע אֱלֹקִים . He has listened to the sound of my prayer — הִקְשִׁיב בְּקוֹל תְּפִלָּתִי – as soon as it entered my thoughts.
(כ) בָּרוּךְ אֱלֹקִים
אֲשֶׁר לֹא הֵסִיר
תְּפִלָּתִי וְחַסְדּוֹ מֵאִתִּי:
אֲשֶׁר לֹא הֵסִיר
תְּפִלָּתִי וְחַסְדּוֹ מֵאִתִּי:
Blessed is G-d — בָּרוּךְ אֱלֹקִים , Who has not turned away — אֲשֶׁר לֹא הֵסִיר – my prayer nor His lovingkindness — תְּפִלָּתִי וְחַסְדּוֹ – from me — מֵאִתִּי . Even though Hashem had already decided to help me, He wanted to hear my tefillah, because through tefillah I became closer to Him.
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.
Tehillos for Life – Public Acclaim.
[66:1] DREAMS FULFILLED. – הָרִיעוּ לֵאלֹקִים כָּל הָאָרֶץ – “Hail G-d with a joyful salute, all [you peoples of] the earth!” This part of the mizmor is directed to the nations of the world but the Jewish people will experience special joy in publicy acclaiming Hashem and seeing their dreams fulfilled.
[66:2] – זַמְּרוּ כְבוֹד שְׁמוֹ שִׂימוּ כָבוֹד תְּהִלָּתוֹ: – Sing of the glory of His Name. Render glory [by singing] His praise.
Tehillos for Life – Contemplation of Hashem.
[66:5] HISTORY. – לְכוּ וּרְאוּ מִפְעֲלוֹת אֱלֹקִים – [Let Jews say to each other:] “Come and see the works of G-d. Awesome is [His] methodology [of control] over [the history of] mankind.” Recall the events by which Hashem guided the history of national development for us and the nations of the world.
[66:6] – הָפַךְ יָם לְיַבָּשָׁה בַּנָּהָר יַעַבְרוּ בְרָגֶל – He turned the Sea into dry land. They crossed the River on foot [to enter Eretz Yisrael]. There we will rejoice in Him.
Tefillos for Life – Your Gratitude.
[66:12] FIRE AND WATER. – בָּאנוּ בָאֵשׁ וּבַמַּיִם וַתּוֹצִיאֵנוּ לָרְוָיָה – “We came through fire and water. [But now] You brought us out to abundance.” Thank Hashem for the abundance you are enjoying. Even your tribulations of “fire and water” were of value to you because of their effect upon your character. Your appreciation of good fortune is directly dependent upon what you went through to get where you are now.
[66:13] OFFERINGS. – אָבוֹא בֵיתְךָ בְעוֹלוֹת אֲשַׁלֵּם לְךָ נְדָרָי – “[Hashem,] I shall come into Your House with burnt-offerings. I shall fulfill my vows to You.” Look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate your gratitude to Hashem in a concrete, physical way.
[66:18] DISTRACTIONS. – אָוֶן אִם רָאִיתִי בְלִבִּי לֹא יִשְׁמַע אֲדֹ־נָי – “[Even] if I had allowed [thoughts of] iniquity in my heart, Hashem would not have listened.” Even if your tefillos to Hashem were marred by distractions, thoughts that you found difficult to control, Hashem heard your good thoughts and disregarded the thoughts you did not really mean to have.
[66:20] ATTENTION. – בָּרוּךְ אֱלֹקִים אֲשֶׁר לֹא הֵסִיר תְּפִלָּתִי וְחַסְדּוֹ מֵאִתִּי – “Blessed is G-d, Who has not turned away my prayer nor His lovingkindness from me.” Thank Hashem for giving you His individual attention when you pray to Him. Even if you are unworthy, He loves you and listens to your tefillos in every situation that you may find yourself.
Sources
The primary sources used in the interpretation of the verses of this mizmor are listed below.
א – רד”ק
ב – רש”י, אבן עזרא, רד”ק, מצודות
ג – רש”י, רד”ק, ספורנו
ד – מצודות, מלבי”ם, רשר”ה
ה – אבן עזרא, רד”ק, רשר”ה
ו – אבן עזרא, רד”ק, מלבי”ם
ז – רש”י, אבן עזרא אלשיך
ח – רש”י, רד”ק
ט – רד”ק, ספורנו, מצודות,
י – רש”י, מצודות, מלבי”ם
יא – רש”י, רד”ק, רשר”ה
יב – רד”ק, רשר”ה
יג – רש”י, רד”ק
יד – רד”ק, אלשיך
טו – רש”י, אלשיך
טז – רד”ק, אלשיך, מלבי”ם
יז – רש”י, אלשיך, מצודות, רשר”ה
יח – רש”י, רד”ק, אלשיך
יט – מלבי”ם
כ – רש”י, אלשיך, טיב התהילות