(א) לְדָוִד רִיבָה ה’ אֶת יְרִיבַי לְחַם אֶת לֹחֲמָי:
(1) By David. Hashem, contend with my adversaries and fight my foes.
NOTE: For a PDF of this mizmor, please click here. This will enable you to print out the entire text of the article. [Rev 5]
Key Concepts of Mizmor 035 – Searching for Self-Respect
At the time when David composed this mizmor he was facing bitter enemies who hated him. Not only did his enemies want to kill him, they were out to demoralize him and to destroy his good name. David knew he had an important mission as a servant of Hashem and that by giving in to despondency he would lose everything — his mission in this world and his life in the next .
The mizmor is in the form of a tefillah for David’s personal yeshuah. But it is more than a tefillah. It is a search for self-respect by a man who has suffered humiliation and insult from his enemies.
In this mizmor David emphasizes the possibility of a complete reversal at a time when circumstances appear the bleakest. David had sought to live at peace with his enemies but they reversed his efforts, responding to his goodwill with ingratitude and hatred. They proceeded to humiliate and belittle him but David foresaw that he would be vindicated and his enemies would suffer that fate.
Exploring the Mizmor
PART 1. VICTORY IN BATTLE. David begins by appealing to Hashem to be at his side as he fights his enemies, so that his hoped for victory will be achieved through Hashem’s direct action. Even as David holds a shield in battle, he realizes that it is the hand of G-d that is grasping it. Furthermore, David strengthens his own self-confidence by visualizing the destruction of the wicked people who have been making his life miserable. Their arrogance is not to be feared because it will be replaced with their humiliation.
(א) לְדָוִד רִיבָה ה’ אֶת יְרִיבַי לְחַם אֶת לֹחֲמָי: (ב) הַחֲזֵק מָגֵן וְצִנָּה וְקוּמָה בְּעֶזְרָתִי: (ג) וְהָרֵק חֲנִית וּסְגֹר לִקְרַאת רֹדְפָי אֱמֹר לְנַפְשִׁי יְשֻׁעָתֵךְ אָנִי: (ד) יֵבֹשׁוּ וְיִכָּלְמוּ מְבַקְשֵׁי נַפְשִׁי יִסֹּגוּ אָחוֹר וְיַחְפְּרוּ חֹשְׁבֵי רָעָתִי: (ה) יִהְיוּ כְּמֹץ לִפְנֵי רוּחַ וּמַלְאַךְ ה’ דּוֹחֶה: (ו) יְהִי דַרְכָּם חֹשֶׁךְ וַחֲלַקְלַקּוֹת וּמַלְאַךְ ה’ רֹדְפָם: (ז) כִּי חִנָּם טָמְנוּ לִי שַׁחַת רִשְׁתָּם חִנָּם חָפְרוּ לְנַפְשִׁי: (ח) תְּבוֹאֵהוּ שׁוֹאָה לֹא יֵדָע וְרִשְׁתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר טָמַן תִּלְכְּדוֹ בְּשׁוֹאָה יִפָּל בָּהּ:
(1) By David. Hashem, contend with my adversaries and fight my foes. (2) Hold a shield and armor [to protect me]. Rise up in my defense. (3) Release a spear to block my pursuers. Say to my soul, “I am your yeshuah.” (4) May those who seek my life be embarrassed and shamed. May those who plot my harm be turned back. Let them want to hide themselves in humiliation (5) May they be [dispersed] like chaff before the wind. May the angel of Hashem be [continually] shoving [them]. (6) May their way be dark and slippery and may the angel of Hashem pursue them. (7) For without cause they have concealed a pit [to kill] me with their net. Without cause they dug [a pit] to [destroy] my soul. (8) May a devastating darkness come upon each [of them] without warning. May his net which he concealed ensnare him. May he fall into it in the devastating darkness.
PART 2. ANTICIPATED RELIEF. David stops to contemplate the relief and joy he will feel when his prayers are answered. Every bone in his body will then be able to serve Hashem.
(ט) וְנַפְשִׁי תָּגִיל בַּה’ תָּשִׂישׂ בִּישׁוּעָתוֹ: (י) כָּל עַצְמוֹתַי תֹּאמַרְנָה ה’ מִי כָמוֹךָ מַצִּיל עָנִי מֵחָזָק מִמֶּנּוּ וְעָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן מִגֹּזְלוֹ:
(9) My soul will feel an intense gladness in Hashem. It will openly rejoice in His yeshuah. (10) All my bones will proclaim, “Hashem, who is like You. You save the poor man from [the enemy who is] stronger than he, the poor and the destitute from one who would rob him.”
PART 3. THE PAIN OF INSULT. But David still feels the pain of the ill-will that has been directed against him. And so he dwells on the unfair and cruel treatment to which he has been subjected. His concern for the well-being of his enemies has been repaid with spite and mockery.
(יא) יְקוּמוּן עֵדֵי חָמָס אֲשֶׁר לֹא יָדַעְתִּי יִשְׁאָלוּנִי: (יב) יְשַׁלְּמוּנִי רָעָה תַּחַת טוֹבָה שְׁכוֹל לְנַפְשִׁי: (יג) וַאֲנִי בַּחֲלוֹתָם לְבוּשִׁי שָׂק עִנֵּיתִי בַצּוֹם נַפְשִׁי וּתְפִלָּתִי עַל חֵיקִי תָשׁוּב: (יד) כְּרֵעַ כְּאָח לִי הִתְהַלָּכְתִּי כַּאֲבֶל אֵם קֹדֵר שַׁחוֹתִי: (טו) וּבְצַלְעִי שָׂמְחוּ וְנֶאֱסָפוּ נֶאֶסְפוּ עָלַי נֵכִים וְלֹא יָדַעְתִּי קָרְעוּ וְלֹא דָמּוּ: (טז) בְּחַנְפֵי לַעֲגֵי מָעוֹג חָרֹק עָלַי שִׁנֵּימוֹ:
(11) Corrupt witnesses rise up to make demands [concerning] which I have no knowledge. (12) They are repaying me with evil for good. [Their betrayal] is for my soul like the death of a child. (13) But as for me, when they were ill, my clothing was sackcloth. I afflicted myself with fasting. May my tefillah come back to my bosom. (14) [When they were ill] I went about as for a good friend and as for my own brother. I was bent over in a dark melancholy like one who is in mourning for a mother (15) But when I limped they were cheerful and gathered [to jeer me]. [Even] the cripples gathered against me. I don’t know why. They laughed and didn’t stop. (16) With malicious, mocking talk they chewed away at me with their teeth.
PART 4. TIME FOR YESHUAH. David turns again directly to Hashem in tefillah, asking that the time of the anticipated yeshuah not be delayed any longer.
(יז) אֲדֹ־נָי כַּמָּה תִרְאֶה הָשִׁיבָה נַפְשִׁי מִשֹּׁאֵיהֶם מִכְּפִירִים יְחִידָתִי: (יח) אוֹדְךָ בְּקָהָל רָב בְּעַם עָצוּם אֲהַלְלֶךָּ: (יט) אַל יִשְׂמְחוּ לִי אֹיְבַי שֶׁקֶר שֹׂנְאַי חִנָּם יִקְרְצוּ עָיִן: (כ) כִּי לֹא שָׁלוֹם יְדַבֵּרוּ וְעַל רִגְעֵי אֶרֶץ דִּבְרֵי מִרְמוֹת יַחֲשֹׁבוּן: (כא) וַיַּרְחִיבוּ עָלַי פִּיהֶם אָמְרוּ הֶאָח הֶאָח רָאֲתָה עֵינֵינוּ:
(17) Hashem, how long will You look on? Rescue my soul from their darkness, my life from the young lions. (18) [Then] I will publicly thank You in a great congregation. I will praise You in a mighty throng. (19) Let my enemies of falsehood not rejoice over me, nor those who hate me without reason wink an eye in mockery. (20) For it is not peace that they speak. They are plotting words of deceit against the humble people of the earth. (21) They opened their mouths wide against me. They exclaimed, “Hurrah, Hurrah! Our own eyes have seen [his downfall]!”
PART 5. TIME OF JUDGEMENT. David continues his tefillah, asking that the cruel enemy be subjected to the judgement which they so richly deserve.
(כב) רָאִיתָה ה’ אַל תֶּחֱרַשׁ אֲדֹ־נָי אַל תִּרְחַק מִמֶּנִּי: (כג) הָעִירָה וְהָקִיצָה לְמִשְׁפָּטִי אֱלֹהַי וַאדֹנָי לְרִיבִי: (כד) שָׁפְטֵנִי כְצִדְקְךָ ה’ אֱלֹהָי וְאַל יִשְׂמְחוּ לִי: (כה) אַל יֹאמְרוּ בְלִבָּם הֶאָח נַפְשֵׁנוּ אַל יֹאמְרוּ בִּלַּעֲנוּהוּ: (כו) יֵבֹשׁוּ וְיַחְפְּרוּ יַחְדָּו שְׂמֵחֵי רָעָתִי יִלְבְּשׁוּ בֹשֶׁת וּכְלִמָּה הַמַּגְדִּילִים עָלָי:
(22) You have seen, Hashem! Don’t be silent. O my L-rd, don’t be distant from me. (23) Arouse and waken my judgement, my G-d. (24) Judge me by Your righteous justice, Hashem, my G-d. Let them not rejoice over me. (25) Let them not even exclaim in their hearts, ‘Hurrah for us’! Let them not say, ‘We devoured him.’ (26) May they be embarrassed and shamed together, those who have been glad over my misfortune. May they be garbed in embarrassment and disgrace, those who were speaking with boastfully arrogance toward me.
PART 6. CONCLUSION. David concludes the mizmor by invoking Hashem’s blessing upon the righteous people who have been loyal to him throughout his travails. Finally, he adds his personal thanks and praise to Hashem.
(כז) יָרֹנּוּ וְיִשְׂמְחוּ חֲפֵצֵי צִדְקִי וְיֹאמְרוּ תָמִיד יִגְדַּל ה’ הֶחָפֵץ שְׁלוֹם עַבְדּוֹ: (כח) וּלְשׁוֹנִי תֶּהְגֶּה צִדְקֶךָ כָּל הַיּוֹם תְּהִלָּתֶךָ:
(27) May those who desire my vindication sing joyfully and be glad. Let them continually declare, ‘Great is Hashem, Who desires the well-being of His servant’. (28) Hashem, my tongue will declare Your righteousness all day long.
Learning the Mizmor
PART 1. VICTORY IN BATTLE.
(א) לְדָוִד
רִיבָה ה’ אֶת יְרִיבַי
לְחַם אֶת לֹחֲמָי:
רִיבָה ה’ אֶת יְרִיבַי
לְחַם אֶת לֹחֲמָי:
This is a mizmor by David — לְדָוִד . Hashem, there is no way that I can defend myself against my attackers without You by my side. So I ask You Hashem, contend with my adversaries — רִיבָה ה’ אֶת יְרִיבַי – who attack me with words. And fight my foes — לְחַם אֶת לֹחֲמָי – who take up arms against me.
(ב) הַחֲזֵק מָגֵן וְצִנָּה
וְקוּמָה בְּעֶזְרָתִי:
וְקוּמָה בְּעֶזְרָתִי:
Hold a protective shield — הַחֲזֵק מָגֵן – to defend me against those who attack me with words. And hold protective armor — וְצִנָּה – to save me from those who attack me with violence. In either case I am dependent upon You, so I ask that You rise up in my defense — וְקוּמָה בְּעֶזְרָתִי .
(ג) וְהָרֵק חֲנִית וּסְגֹר לִקְרַאת רֹדְפָי
אֱמֹר לְנַפְשִׁי יְשֻׁעָתֵךְ אָנִי:
אֱמֹר לְנַפְשִׁי יְשֻׁעָתֵךְ אָנִי:
Unleash an angel wielding a spear — וְהָרֵק חֲנִית – so as to block my pursuers — וּסְגֹר לִקְרַאת רֹדְפָי . I am anxious about the danger because I may not be worthy, so I ask for Your comfort. Now is the time for You to say to my soul — אֱמֹר לְנַפְשִׁי , “I am your yeshuah — יְשֻׁעָתֵךְ אָנִי .
(ד) יֵבֹשׁוּ וְיִכָּלְמוּ
מְבַקְשֵׁי נַפְשִׁי
מְבַקְשֵׁי נַפְשִׁי
As for my enemies who seek my life — מְבַקְשֵׁי נַפְשִׁי , may they be embarrassed — יֵבֹשׁוּ – when they realize their plans have failed and may they be shamed — וְיִכָּלְמוּ – before the world when it becomes evident that You are protecting me.
יִסֹּגוּ אָחוֹר וְיַחְפְּרוּ
חֹשְׁבֵי רָעָתִי:
חֹשְׁבֵי רָעָתִי:
May those who plot my harm — חֹשְׁבֵי רָעָתִי – be turned back — יִסֹּגוּ אָחוֹר – with great embarrassment from their aggressive stance. Let them want to hide themselves from the world in humiliation — וְיַחְפְּרוּ .
(ה) יִהְיוּ כְּמֹץ לִפְנֵי רוּחַ
וּמַלְאַךְ ה’ דּוֹחֶה:
וּמַלְאַךְ ה’ דּוֹחֶה:
But let there not be any place for them to hide. In fact, may they lose their strength so that it will seem as if they can be dispersed like chaff before the wind — יִהְיוּ כְּמֹץ לִפְנֵי רוּחַ . Even though every wind has moments of calm, may the angel of Hashem be continually shoving — וּמַלְאַךְ ה’ דּוֹחֶה – them along so that they never find a place to hide or rest.
(ו) יְהִי דַרְכָּם חֹשֶׁךְ וַחֲלַקְלַקּוֹת
וּמַלְאַךְ ה’ רֹדְפָם:
וּמַלְאַךְ ה’ רֹדְפָם:
And may they suffer losses as they flee in panic. May their way be dark — יְהִי דַרְכָּם חֹשֶׁךְ – and slippery — וַחֲלַקְלַקּוֹת – so that they lose their footing and don’t know which way to turn. And all the while may the angel of Hashem be pursuing them — וּמַלְאַךְ ה’ רֹדְפָם – so that they cannot take the time to feel their way in the darkness.
(ז) כִּי חִנָּם טָמְנוּ לִי שַׁחַת רִשְׁתָּם
My enemies deserve this harsh fate for — כִּי – their actions against me have been completely without cause — חִנָּם . It is as though they concealed a pit to kill me — טָמְנוּ לִי שַׁחַת , covering it with their net — רִשְׁתָּם – so that I would fall into it unawares.
חִנָּם חָפְרוּ לְנַפְשִׁי:
And more than that. They acted without cause — חִנָּם – to destroy my eternal life, separating me from my people and the source of holiness. It is as though they dug — חָפְרוּ – the pit of Gehinnom in which to destroy my soul — לְנַפְשִׁי .
(ח) תְּבוֹאֵהוּ שׁוֹאָה לֹא יֵדָע
וְרִשְׁתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר טָמַן תִּלְכְּדוֹ
בְּשׁוֹאָה יִפָּל בָּהּ:
וְרִשְׁתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר טָמַן תִּלְכְּדוֹ
בְּשׁוֹאָה יִפָּל בָּהּ:
May a devastating darkness come upon each of them without warning — תְּבוֹאֵהוּ שׁוֹאָה לֹא יֵדָע . May his hunter’s net which he spread out and concealed to trap me ensnare him — וְרִשְׁתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר טָמַן תִּלְכְּדוֹ – instead. May he fall into it in the devastating darkness — בְּשׁוֹאָה יִפָּל בָּהּ .
PART 2. ANTICIPATED RELIEF.
(ט) וְנַפְשִׁי תָּגִיל בַּה’
תָּשִׂישׂ בִּישׁוּעָתוֹ:
תָּשִׂישׂ בִּישׁוּעָתוֹ:
When the yeshuah comes and I am privileged to witness the downfall of those who seek my destruction, my soul will feel an intense gladness in gratitude to Hashem — וְנַפְשִׁי תָּגִיל בַּה’ . I will no longer have to be preoccupied with defending myself and I will be able to devote myself to serving Him. Thus, my entire being will openly rejoice in His yeshuah — תָּשִׂישׂ בִּישׁוּעָתוֹ .
(י) כָּל עַצְמוֹתַי תֹּאמַרְנָה ה’ מִי כָמוֹךָ
מַצִּיל עָנִי מֵחָזָק מִמֶּנּוּ
וְעָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן מִגֹּזְלוֹ:
מַצִּיל עָנִי מֵחָזָק מִמֶּנּוּ
וְעָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן מִגֹּזְלוֹ:
All my bones — כָּל עַצְמוֹתַי , which symbolize the devotion of my body as it sways in tefillah, will praise Hashem for my yeshuah. They will proclaim — תֹּאמַרְנָה , “Hashem, who is like You — ה’ מִי כָמוֹךָ . You intervene in human affairs to save the poor man — מַצִּיל עָנִי – like me from the enemy who is stronger than he — מֵחָזָק מִמֶּנּוּ . Through Your laws You save the poor and the destitute from one who would rob him — וְעָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן מִגֹּזְלוֹ .”
PART 3. THE PAIN OF INSULT.
(יא) יְקוּמוּן עֵדֵי חָמָס
אֲשֶׁר לֹא יָדַעְתִּי יִשְׁאָלוּנִי:
אֲשֶׁר לֹא יָדַעְתִּי יִשְׁאָלוּנִי:
My enemies rise up as corrupt witnesses — יְקוּמוּן עֵדֵי חָמָס – to make false claims against me. They make spurious demands — יִשְׁאָלוּנִי – regarding financial dealings of which I have no knowledge — אֲשֶׁר לֹא יָדַעְתִּי .
(יב) יְשַׁלְּמוּנִי רָעָה תַּחַת טוֹבָה
שְׁכוֹל לְנַפְשִׁי:
שְׁכוֹל לְנַפְשִׁי:
In so doing they are repaying me with evil for good — יְשַׁלְּמוּנִי רָעָה תַּחַת טוֹבָה . Their betrayal of my goodwill is as painful for my soul as the death of a child — שְׁכוֹל לְנַפְשִׁי .
(יג) וַאֲנִי בַּחֲלוֹתָם לְבוּשִׁי שָׂק
עִנֵּיתִי בַצּוֹם נַפְשִׁי
וּתְפִלָּתִי עַל חֵיקִי תָשׁוּב:
עִנֵּיתִי בַצּוֹם נַפְשִׁי
וּתְפִלָּתִי עַל חֵיקִי תָשׁוּב:
But as for me — וַאֲנִי , I was concerned for their well-being. When they were ill — בַּחֲלוֹתָם , I could not bring myself to wear my fine clothing. Instead, my clothing was sackcloth — לְבוּשִׁי שָׂק . I afflicted myself with fasting — עִנֵּיתִי בַצּוֹם נַפְשִׁי – because I could not enjoy good food when others were suffering. I sincerely prayed for their recovery. May my own tefillah come back to my bosom — וּתְפִלָּתִי עַל חֵיקִי תָשׁוּב – and may I receive the blessings of Hashem.
(יד) כְּרֵעַ כְּאָח לִי הִתְהַלָּכְתִּי
כַּאֲבֶל אֵם קֹדֵר שַׁחוֹתִי:
כַּאֲבֶל אֵם קֹדֵר שַׁחוֹתִי:
I walked about — הִתְהַלָּכְתִּי – feeling my concern for their problems as I would for a good friend — כְּרֵעַ – and as I would for my own brother — כְּאָח לִי . I was bent over in a dark melancholy — קֹדֵר שַׁחוֹתִי – like one who is in mourning for a mother — כַּאֲבֶל אֵם .
(טו) וּבְצַלְעִי שָׂמְחוּ וְנֶאֱסָפוּ
נֶאֶסְפוּ עָלַי נֵכִים וְלֹא יָדַעְתִּי
קָרְעוּ וְלֹא דָמּוּ:
נֶאֶסְפוּ עָלַי נֵכִים וְלֹא יָדַעְתִּי
קָרְעוּ וְלֹא דָמּוּ:
But when I limped — וּבְצַלְעִי – because of a leg injury they were cheerful and gathered — –שָׂמְחוּ וְנֶאֱסָפוּ to make fun of me. In contrast to my being concerned for their well-being when they were stricken, they rejoiced in my misfortune. Even the cripples among them gathered against me — נֶאֶסְפוּ עָלַי נֵכִים . Since I had not harmed them, I don’t know — וְלֹא יָדַעְתִּי – what they had against me. Their mouths gaped — קָרְעוּ – in raucous laughter. Their mirth was unrestrained and they didn’t stop — וְלֹא דָמּוּ – their vicious jeering.
(טז) בְּחַנְפֵי לַעֲגֵי מָעוֹג
חָרֹק עָלַי שִׁנֵּימוֹ:
חָרֹק עָלַי שִׁנֵּימוֹ:
With their malicious — בְּחַנְפֵי , mocking — לַעֲגֵי – talk — מָעוֹג , they chewed away at me with their teeth — חָרֹק עָלַי שִׁנֵּימוֹ .
PART 4. TIME FOR YESHUAH.
(יז) אֲדֹ־נָי כַּמָּה תִרְאֶה
הָשִׁיבָה נַפְשִׁי מִשֹּׁאֵיהֶם
מִכְּפִירִים יְחִידָתִי:
הָשִׁיבָה נַפְשִׁי מִשֹּׁאֵיהֶם
מִכְּפִירִים יְחִידָתִי:
Hashem, how long will You be patient and continue to observe — אֲדֹ־נָי כַּמָּה תִרְאֶה – their hateful revelry? Rescue my soul — הָשִׁיבָה נַפְשִׁי – from their dark — מִשֹּׁאֵיהֶם – and cruel viciousness. Rescue my life — יְחִידָתִי – from the brutishness of those who have the savagery of young lions — מִכְּפִירִים .
(יח) אוֹדְךָ בְּקָהָל רָב
בְּעַם עָצוּם אֲהַלְלֶךָּ:
בְּעַם עָצוּם אֲהַלְלֶךָּ:
I hope to be inspired with the experience of Your rescue to publicly thank and acknowledge You in a great congregation — אוֹדְךָ בְּקָהָל רָב , for then the entire nation will be united. Indeed, I will praise You to all mankind in a mighty throng — בְּעַם עָצוּם אֲהַלְלֶךָּ .
(יט) אַל יִשְׂמְחוּ לִי
אֹיְבַי שֶׁקֶר
אֹיְבַי שֶׁקֶר
Therefore, let my mission in life not be endangered by my foes. Let them not rejoice over me — אַל יִשְׂמְחוּ לִי – when I am in distress, especially not those who are my enemies by virtue of falshood — אֹיְבַי שֶׁקֶר – with which they publicly slander me.
שֹׂנְאַי חִנָּם יִקְרְצוּ עָיִן:
And as for those who hate me in their hearts without reason — שֹׂנְאַי חִנָּם , let them not wink an eye — יִקְרְצוּ עָיִן – to each other as they mock me.
(כ) כִּי לֹא שָׁלוֹם יְדַבֵּרוּ
וְעַל רִגְעֵי אֶרֶץ דִּבְרֵי מִרְמוֹת יַחֲשֹׁבוּן:
וְעַל רִגְעֵי אֶרֶץ דִּבְרֵי מִרְמוֹת יַחֲשֹׁבוּן:
For — כִּי – despite their pretense, it is not peace that they speak — לֹא שָׁלוֹם יְדַבֵּרוּ . Their intent is to foment ill will towards me and ultimately it is against all the humble people of the earth — וְעַל רִגְעֵי אֶרֶץ – that they are plotting their words of deceit — דִּבְרֵי מִרְמוֹת יַחֲשֹׁבוּן .
(כא) וַיַּרְחִיבוּ עָלַי פִּיהֶם
אָמְרוּ הֶאָח הֶאָח רָאֲתָה עֵינֵינוּ:
אָמְרוּ הֶאָח הֶאָח רָאֲתָה עֵינֵינוּ:
They opened their mouths wide against me — וַיַּרְחִיבוּ עָלַי פִּיהֶם – in glee when they see what they have been hoping for. They joyfully exclaimed to each other, “Hurrah, Hurrah — אָמְרוּ הֶאָח הֶאָח ! Did you see it? Yes, our own eyes have finally seen — רָאֲתָה עֵינֵינוּ – his downfall !”
PART 5. TIME OF JUDGEMENT.
(כב) רָאִיתָה ה’ אַל תֶּחֱרַשׁ
But it is You that have seen the full truth, Hashem — רָאִיתָה ה’ ! You know that they are lying about what they claim to have seen. Therefore, don’t be silent — אַל תֶּחֱרַשׁ ; declare the truth and demand that they desist from their insults!
אֲדֹ־נָי אַל תִּרְחַק מִמֶּנִּי:
My L-rd — אֲדֹ־נָי – and Master, You have given me a mission. Let me carry it out and don’t be distant from me — אַל תִּרְחַק מִמֶּנִּי . Hear my tefillah and help me serve You.
(כג) הָעִירָה וְהָקִיצָה לְמִשְׁפָּטִי
אֱלֹקַי וַאדֹ־נָי לְרִיבִי:
אֱלֹקַי וַאדֹ־נָי לְרִיבִי:
Arouse — הָעִירָה – Your quality of mercy to accept my tefillah and waken — וְהָקִיצָה – Your quality of justice to establish my vindication in judgment — לְמִשְׁפָּטִי — against those who persecute me. I ask this of You, my God — אֱלֹקַי , for I have no other judge. My L-rd — וַאדֹ־נָי , I am Your servant. Therefore, I count upon You to ensure justice for my cause — לְרִיבִי .
(כד) שָׁפְטֵנִי כְצִדְקְךָ ה’ אֱלֹקָי
וְאַל יִשְׂמְחוּ לִי:
וְאַל יִשְׂמְחוּ לִי:
But in judging me I ask You not to hold my sins against me. Judge me by Your righteous justice — שָׁפְטֵנִי כְצִדְקְךָ , in which You show mercy for the repentant sinner, Hashem, my G-d — ה’ אֱלֹקָי . Let my undeserving enemies not continue to rejoice unjustly over me — וְאַל יִשְׂמְחוּ לִי .
(כה) אַל יֹאמְרוּ בְלִבָּם הֶאָח נַפְשֵׁנוּ
אַל יֹאמְרוּ בִּלַּעֲנוּהוּ:
אַל יֹאמְרוּ בִּלַּעֲנוּהוּ:
Let them not even be able to exclaim in their hearts — אַל יֹאמְרוּ בְלִבָּם , “Hurrah for us — הֶאָח נַפְשֵׁנוּ !” — Let them not be able to say — אַל יֹאמְרוּ , “We devoured him — בִּלַּעֲנוּהוּ .”
(כו) יֵבֹשׁוּ וְיַחְפְּרוּ יַחְדָּו
שְׂמֵחֵי רָעָתִי
שְׂמֵחֵי רָעָתִי
In the same way that they gathered together to mock me, may they be embarrassed and shamed together — יֵבֹשׁוּ וְיַחְפְּרוּ יַחְדָּו , each one seeing the other’s disgrace, all those who have been glad over my misfortune — שְׂמֵחֵי רָעָתִי .
יִלְבְּשׁוּ בֹשֶׁת וּכְלִמָּה
הַמַּגְדִּילִים עָלָי:
הַמַּגְדִּילִים עָלָי:
Let them not be able to hide their humiliation. On the contrary, may they be garbed in embarrassment and disgrace — יִלְבְּשׁוּ בֹשֶׁת וּכְלִמָּה , all those who were speaking with arrogance, opening their mouths wide toward me — הַמַּגְדִּילִים עָלָי .
PART 6. CONCLUSION.
(כז) יָרֹנּוּ וְיִשְׂמְחוּ חֲפֵצֵי צִדְקִי
But as for the righteous people who have befriended me, may they sing in joy and rejoice — יָרֹנּוּ וְיִשְׂמְחוּ , all those who desire my vindication — חֲפֵצֵי צִדְקִי .
וְיֹאמְרוּ תָמִיד
יִגְדַּל ה’ הֶחָפֵץ שְׁלוֹם עַבְדּוֹ:
יִגְדַּל ה’ הֶחָפֵץ שְׁלוֹם עַבְדּוֹ:
Let them continually declare — וְיֹאמְרוּ תָמִיד , “Great is Hashem — יִגְדַּל ה’ , Who desires the well-being of David, His servant — הֶחָפֵץ שְׁלוֹם עַבְדּוֹ !” The greatness of Hashem is magnified when He protects his faithful servants and grants them peace. Those who see the benefits of serving Hashem are encouraged to publicize the greatness of His Name and bring others into His service.
(כח) וּלְשׁוֹנִי תֶּהְגֶּה צִדְקֶךָ
Hashem, when others praise You because of what You did for me, it is all the more reason that I should express my gratitude to You. And so my tongue — וּלְשׁוֹנִי – will declare Your righteousness — תֶּהְגֶּה צִדְקֶךָ , which is the quality whereby Your mercy tempers Your judgment.
כָּל הַיּוֹם תְּהִלָּתֶךָ
And just as those Who love You continually declare Your greatness, it is right for me to sing to You all day long, whenever the opportunity presents itself, with songs of Your praise — כָּל הַיּוֹם תְּהִלָּתֶךָ . I will praise You for Your quality of Kingship which allows You to temper judgment with mercy.
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.
Tefillos for Life – Your Yeshuah.
[35:1] BATTLE. – רִיבָה ה’ אֶת יְרִיבַי לְחַם אֶת לֹחֲמָי – “Contend with my adversaries and fight my foes.” When you are confronted by enemies who seek to harm you, ask Hashem to act for you by defeating them. Even when you need to use the implements of war, it will be Hashem Who is actually wielding them.
[35:2] – הַחֲזֵק מָגֵן וְצִנָּה – “Hold a shield and armor [to protect me].”
[35:17] RESCUE. – הָשִׁיבָה נַפְשִׁי מִשֹּׁאֵיהֶם מִכְּפִירִים יְחִידָתִי – “Rescue my soul from their darkness, my life from the young lions.” Save me from the cruelty and greed of my enemies.
Tefillos for Life – Your Anguish.
[35:7] WITHOUT CAUSE. – כִּי חִנָּם טָמְנוּ לִי שַׁחַת רִשְׁתָּם חִנָּם חָפְרוּ לְנַפְשִׁי – “For without cause they have concealed a pit [to kill] me with their net. Without cause they dug [a pit] to [destroy] my soul..” I have been the object of unfair and cruel treatment by those who hate me. I look to You to come to my aid and restore my life.
[35:15] MOCKERY. – וּבְצַלְעִי שָׂמְחוּ וְנֶאֱסָפוּ נֶאֶסְפוּ עָלַי – “But when I limped they were cheerful and gathered [to jeer me].” Instead of sympathy I was subjected to mockery. My overtures for peace were repaid with hatred.
[35:14] – כְּרֵעַ כְּאָח לִי הִתְהַלָּכְתִּי – “[When they were ill] I went about as for a good friend and as for my own brother.” Instead of sympathy I was subjected to mockery. My overtures for peace were repaid with hatred.
Lessons for Life – Your Attitude.
[35:8] CONFIDENCE. – תְּבוֹאֵהוּ שׁוֹאָה לֹא יֵדָע, וְרִשְׁתּוֹ אֲשֶׁר טָמַן תִּלְכְּדוֹ, בְּשׁוֹאָה יִפָּל בָּהּ – “May a devastating darkness come upon each [of them] without warning. May his net which he concealed ensnare him. May he fall into it in the devastating darkness.” Restore your confidence in the victory against your enemies by visualizing their defeat.
Tefillos for Life – Your Gratitude.
[35:9] REJOICING. – וְנַפְשִׁי תָּגִיל בַּה’ תָּשִׂישׂ בִּישׁוּעָתוֹ – “My soul will feel an intense gladness in Hashem. It will openly rejoice in His yeshuah.” Openly and joyfully declare your gratitude to Hashem for His yeshuah.
Tehillos for Life – Contemplation of Hashem.
[35:10] INTERVENTION. – ה’ מִי כָמוֹךָ מַצִּיל עָנִי מֵחָזָק מִמֶּנּוּ – “Hashem, who is like You. You save the poor man from [the enemy who is] stronger than he.” Hashem intervenes in human affairs when necessary to protect the weak.
[35:10] LAWS. – וְעָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן מִגֹּזְלוֹ – “And [You save] the poor and the destitute from one who would rob him.” The Torah’s laws protect the poor from exploitation.
Tefillos for Life – Your Relationship with Hashem.
[35:17] ACTION NOW. – אֲדֹ־נָי כַּמָּה תִרְאֶה – “Hashem, how long will You look on?” Plead with Hashem to take action now.
[35:22] – רָאִיתָה ה’ אַל תֶּחֱרַשׁ אֲדֹ־נָי אַל תִּרְחַק מִמֶּנִּי – “You have seen, Hashem! Don’t be silent. O my L-rd, don’t be distant from me.”
Lessons for Life – Your Actions.
[35:28] PRAISE. – וּלְשׁוֹנִי תֶּהְגֶּה צִדְקֶךָ כָּל הַיּוֹם תְּהִלָּתֶךָ – “Hashem, my tongue will declare Your righteousness all day long with songs of praise.” Whenever the opportunity presents itself, praise the righteousness of Hashem’s laws and actions.
Sources
The primary sources used in the interpretation of the pesukim of this mizmor are listed below.
א – רש”י, המאירי, בן־ארוך, רשר”ה
ב – אבן עזרא, בן־ארוך
ג – רש”י, רד”ק, בן־ארוך, נר לרגלי
ד – רד”ק, בן־ארוך, מלבי”ם
ה – אבן עזרא, רד”ק, בן־ארוך, נר לרגלי
ו – רש”י, אבן עזרא, רד”ק
ז – רש”י, רד”ק, המאירי, אבן יחייא
ח- רש”י, אבן עזרא, רד”ק, מצודות, נר לרגלי
ט – רש”י, המאירי, מלבי”ם
י – רש”י, אבן עזרא, רד”ק, בן־ארוך
יא – רד”ק, בן־ארוך, רשר”ה
יב – רד”ק, בן־ארוך, רשר”ה
יג – רד”ק, בן־ארוך, מצודות, רשר”ה
יד – רד”ק, המאירי,
טו – רש”י, רד”ק, המאירי, בן־רמוך, מצודות
טז – רד”ק, המאירי
יז – רש”י, אבן עזרא, רד”ק, אבן יחייא, מצודות
יח – אבן עזרא, רד”ק, רשר”ה
יט – רש”י, אבן עזרא, רד”ק, מלבי”ם, נר לרגלי
כ – אבן עזרא, רד”ק, המאירי, בן־רמוך, ספורנו, אבן יחייא, רשר”ה
כא – רש”י, רד”ק, מצודות
כב – אבן עזרא, ספורנו, מלבי”ם, רשר”ה
כג – רד”ק, ספורנו
כד – רד”ק, ספורנו, אבן יחייא
כה – רד”ק
כו – אבן עזרא, רד”ק
כז – רד”ק, מלבי”ם, נר לרגלי
כח – רד”ק, בן־רמוך, ספורנו