(א) לַמְנַצֵּחַ לְדָוִד מִזְמוֹר: (ב) קַוֹּה קִוִּיתִי ה’ וַיֵּט אֵלַי וַיִּשְׁמַע שַׁוְעָתִי:
(1) For the musician, a mizmor by David. (2) I continued to put my hope in Hashem. He leaned down toward me and heard my cry.
NOTE: For a PDF of this mizmor, please click here. This will enable you to print out the entire text of the article. [Rev 7]
Key Concepts of Mizmor 040 – Sincerity in Tefillah
The mizmor is a tefillah in which David appeals to Hashem to grant him deliverance from his troubles. The tefillah is structured as a song that is intended to be performed publicly. It is designed to teach the listeners certain critical elements of serving Hashem.
What does Hashem want? Hashem wants us to have real bitachon (trust) in the deliverance that He will provide. A tefillah in which we go through the motions of making a request, but with little confidence that it will be granted, will not be effective. In fact, Hashem wants us to be sincere in all the mitzvos that we do.
Hashem also wants us to be grateful for the kindnesses He has done for us in the past. Ingratitude does not serve as an effective basis for a new request. Hashem also wants us to speak of what we have learned to others. Sharing our appreciation and love for Hashem with others will provide us with a zechus (merit) for our needs to be answered.
Exploring the Mizmor
PART 1. FROM A BLACK PIT TO SOLID ROCK. Here David talks about how he was saved from a specific misfortune in the past. Although he found himself in a terrible situation, he continued to have bitachon. Hashem heard his cry of pain and drew him out of the “black pit” in which he was mired. Not only was he saved from that predicament, he ended up in a new and secure position — on solid rock.
(א) לַמְנַצֵּחַ לְדָוִד מִזְמוֹר: (ב) קַוֹּה קִוִּיתִי ה’ וַיֵּט אֵלַי וַיִּשְׁמַע שַׁוְעָתִי: (ג) וַיַּעֲלֵנִי מִבּוֹר שָׁאוֹן מִטִּיט הַיָּוֵן וַיָּקֶם עַל סֶלַע רַגְלַי כּוֹנֵן אֲשֻׁרָי:
(1) For the musician, a mizmor by David. (2) I continued to put my hope in Hashem. He leaned down toward me and heard my cry. (3) He raised me from a black pit, from the clinging mire. He set my feet upon a high rock; He made my steps firm.
PART 2. A NEW SONG. David’s yeshuah inspires him to sing a new song of praise to Hashem. Through the medium of song he shares his experiences with others. He encourages his listeners to base their lives on trust in Hashem, rather than on the uncertain promises of prideful human beings.
(ד) וַיִּתֵּן בְּפִי שִׁיר חָדָשׁ תְּהִלָּה לֵאלֹקֵינוּ יִרְאוּ רַבִּים וְיִירָאוּ וְיִבְטְחוּ בַּה’: (ה) אַשְׁרֵי הַגֶּבֶר אֲשֶׁר שָׂם ה’ מִבְטַחוֹ וְלֹא פָנָה אֶל רְהָבִים וְשָׂטֵי כָזָב: (ו) רַבּוֹת עָשִׂיתָ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקַי נִפְלְאֹתֶיךָ וּמַחְשְׁבֹתֶיךָ אֵלֵינוּ אֵין עֲרֹךְ אֵלֶיךָ אַגִּידָה וַאֲדַבֵּרָה עָצְמוּ מִסַּפֵּר:
(4) He has put a new song in my mouth, of praise to our G-d. May the multitudes see and may they fear Him. May they have trust in Hashem. (5) Fortunate is the man who put his trust in Hashem. He wisely did not turn to the braggarts that turn away deceitfully when there is trouble. (6) You have done many great things. You, Hashem, my G-d [have performed] Your wonders and Your plans for us. None can compare to You. Were I to tell others or speak, [I would fail, as] they are too numerous to recount.
PART 3. LOOKING FOR SINCERITY. Continuing with his song, David recalls what he has learned about what Hashem expects from us. Hashem is not interested in mechanical observances by rote. When a person seeks to be forgiven his sins, it is not enough to go through the motions of bringing sacrificial offerings in the Bais HaMikdash (such as the korban shelamim or korban minchah). Hashem wants the person’s full devotion, from deep within his heart. Only if he feels sincere gratitude for Hashem’s benevolence can he expect his sins to be erased. A test of sincerity is the willingness of the individual to share his feelings about Hashem with others. Thus, David recalls that he has made a practice of proclaiming Hashem’s benevolence in public.
(ז) זֶבַח וּמִנְחָה לֹא חָפַצְתָּ אָזְנַיִם כָּרִיתָ לִּי עוֹלָה וַחֲטָאָה לֹא שָׁאָלְתָּ: (ח) אָז אָמַרְתִּי הִנֵּה בָאתִי בִּמְגִלַּת סֵפֶר כָּתוּב עָלָי: (ט) לַעֲשׂוֹת רְצוֹנְךָ אֱלֹקַי חָפָצְתִּי וְתוֹרָתְךָ בְּתוֹךְ מֵעָי: (י) בִּשַּׂרְתִּי צֶדֶק בְּקָהָל רָב הִנֵּה שְׂפָתַי לֹא אֶכְלָא ה’ אַתָּה יָדָעְתָּ: (יא) צִדְקָתְךָ לֹא כִסִּיתִי בְּתוֹךְ לִבִּי אֱמוּנָתְךָ וּתְשׁוּעָתְךָ אָמָרְתִּי, לֹא כִחַדְתִּי חַסְדְּךָ וַאֲמִתְּךָ לְקָהָל רָב:
(7) You did not want a korban shelamim or a korban minchah. You provided me with ears [to hear Your wishes] but You did not look for a korban olah or a korban chatas. (8) Then I said, Behold I have come with the Scroll of the Book [in which is] written [everything that is incumbent] upon me. (9) My G-d, it has been my desire to carry out Your will. Your Torah has not just been on my lips, but within my innards. (10) I have proclaimed [Your] benevolence in a great assembly. Behold, I do not restrain my lips. Hashem, You know it. (11) I have not covered up Your benevolence within my heart. I have spoken of Your steadfastness and Your yeshuah. I have not withheld Your kindness and Your truth [from being proclaimed] to great gatherings.
PART 4. A PLEA FOR DELIVERANCE. David now appeals for a deliverance from the enemies who are threatening him. He fervently hopes that he will be saved in the zechus of his efforts to bring others to the service of the Creator.
(יב) אַתָּה ה’ לֹא תִכְלָא רַחֲמֶיךָ מִמֶּנִּי חַסְדְּךָ וַאֲמִתְּךָ תָּמִיד יִצְּרוּנִי: (יג) כִּי אָפְפוּ עָלַי רָעוֹת עַד אֵין מִסְפָּר הִשִּׂיגוּנִי עֲוֹנֹתַי וְלֹא יָכֹלְתִּי לִרְאוֹת עָצְמוּ מִשַּׂעֲרוֹת רֹאשִׁי וְלִבִּי עֲזָבָנִי: (יד) רְצֵה ה’ לְהַצִּילֵנִי ה’ לְעֶזְרָתִי חוּשָׁה: (טו) יֵבֹשׁוּ וְיַחְפְּרוּ יַחַד מְבַקְשֵׁי נַפְשִׁי לִסְפּוֹתָהּ יִסֹּגוּ אָחוֹר וְיִכָּלְמוּ חֲפֵצֵי רָעָתִי: (טז) יָשֹׁמּוּ עַל עֵקֶב בָּשְׁתָּם הָאֹמְרִים לִי הֶאָח הֶאָח: (יז) יָשִׂישׂוּ וְיִשְׂמְחוּ בְּךָ כָּל מְבַקְשֶׁיךָ יֹאמְרוּ תָמִיד יִגְדַּל ה’ אֹהֲבֵי תְּשׁוּעָתֶךָ: (יח) וַאֲנִי עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן אֲדֹ־נָי יַחֲשָׁב לִי עֶזְרָתִי וּמְפַלְטִי אַתָּה אֱלֹקַי אַל תְּאַחַר:
(12) You, Hashem, do not withhold Your mercy from me. May Your kindness and Your truth always protect me, (13) for uncounted evils have encircled me. My sins have overtaken me and I cannot see. They have become more numerous than the hairs on my head and [so] my strength [to fight them] has abandoned me. (14) May it be Your will, Hashem, to save me. Hashem, hurry to my assistance. (15) May those who seek to end my life be embarrassed and shamed together. May those who desire my harm retreat and be humiliated (16) Let them be devastated on account of their embarrassment, those who have been exclaiming about me, “Hurrah, Hurrah!” (17) May all who seek You rejoice and be glad with You. Those who love Your yeshuah may they always say, “Let Hashem be magnified.” (18) As for me, I am poor and destitute, [yet] my L-rd treats me as important. You are my Help and my Rescuer; my G-d, do not delay.
Learning the Mizmor
PART 1. FROM A BLACK PIT TO SOLID ROCK.
(א) לַמְנַצֵּחַ לְדָוִד מִזְמוֹר:
This song has been prepared for the musician — לַמְנַצֵּחַ , who will perform it. It is a mizmor composed by David — לְדָוִד מִזְמוֹר .
(ב) קַוֹּה קִוִּיתִי ה’
Even when I suffered from debilitating illness and the cruelty of my enemies, I remained faithful and continued to put my hope in Hashem — קַוֹּה קִוִּיתִי ה’ , expecting that He would respond to my tefillos and forgive my sins.
וַיֵּט אֵלַי וַיִּשְׁמַע שַׁוְעָתִי:
Finally the time came when He leaned down toward me — וַיֵּט אֵלַי – from His Heavenly abode, so that I felt His nearness. It was then that He heard my cry — וַיִּשְׁמַע שַׁוְעָתִי – and showed His pity on my pain.
(ג) וַיַּעֲלֵנִי מִבּוֹר שָׁאוֹן
מִטִּיט הַיָּוֵן
מִטִּיט הַיָּוֵן
He raised me from the depths of a black pit — וַיַּעֲלֵנִי מִבּוֹר שָׁאוֹן – of troubles. He pulled me out of the clinging mire — מִטִּיט הַיָּוֵן – which sucked me down so that I could not free myself.
וַיָּקֶם עַל סֶלַע רַגְלַי
כּוֹנֵן אֲשֻׁרָי:
כּוֹנֵן אֲשֻׁרָי:
He then set my feet upon a high rock — וַיָּקֶם עַל סֶלַע רַגְלַי – so that I was no longer in danger from my enemies. He made my steps firm — כּוֹנֵן אֲשֻׁרָי – so that I could stand erect and confidently continue on my way of serving Him.
PART 2. A NEW SONG.
(ד) וַיִּתֵּן בְּפִי שִׁיר חָדָשׁ
תְּהִלָּה לֵאלֹקֵינוּ
תְּהִלָּה לֵאלֹקֵינוּ
With His miraculous yeshuah, Hashem has inspired me to sing the following song of thanks. Effectively, He has put a new song in my mouth — וַיִּתֵּן בְּפִי שִׁיר חָדָשׁ – to celebrate a new miracle in the presence of all our people. It is a song of praise to our G-d — תְּהִלָּה לֵאֱלֹקַינוּ – for His wondrous deeds.
יִרְאוּ רַבִּים וְיִירָאוּ וְיִבְטְחוּ בַּה’:
May the multitudes see — יִרְאוּ רַבִּים – how Hashem controls what happens in the world and may they be afraid — וְיִירָאוּ – of sinning against Him. And may they be inspired to have renewed trust in Hashem — וְיִבְטְחוּ בַּה’ , that He will surely help them when they are in need.
(ה) אַשְׁרֵי הַגֶּבֶר אֲשֶׁר שָׂם ה’ מִבְטַחוֹ
וְלֹא פָנָה אֶל רְהָבִים וְשָׂטֵי כָזָב:
וְלֹא פָנָה אֶל רְהָבִים וְשָׂטֵי כָזָב:
Fortunate is the man — אַשְׁרֵי הַגֶּבֶר – who acted with moral courage and put his trust in Hashem alone — אֲשֶׁר שָׂם ה’ מִבְטַחוֹ ; his faith has been rewarded. He wisely did not turn for help to the braggarts — וְלֹא פָנָה אֶל רְהָבִים – who promise that they can take care of everything but turn away deceitfully when there is trouble — וְשָׂטֵי כָזָב .
(ו) רַבּוֹת עָשִׂיתָ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקַי
נִפְלְאֹתֶיךָ וּמַחְשְׁבֹתֶיךָ אֵלֵינוּ
נִפְלְאֹתֶיךָ וּמַחְשְׁבֹתֶיךָ אֵלֵינוּ
We are awed by Your latest yeshuah. But in truth, You have done so many great things — רַבּוֹת עָשִׂיתָ – throughout history. And despite the multitude of miracles You have performed, You remain One. You did not need help from any other power because there is no power other than You. You alone Hashem, my G-d — אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקַי , have performed Your many wonders — נִפְלְאֹתֶיךָ – and developed Your elaborate plans — וּמַחְשְׁבֹתֶיךָ – and as they are all intended for us — אֵלֵינוּ – we are forever grateful.
אֵין עֲרֹךְ אֵלֶיךָ
אַגִּידָה וַאֲדַבֵּרָה עָצְמוּ מִסַּפֵּר:
אַגִּידָה וַאֲדַבֵּרָה עָצְמוּ מִסַּפֵּר:
Because You are One, there is none who can compare to You — אֵין עֲרֹךְ אֵלֶיךָ . Were I to try to tell others — אַגִּידָה – about the miracles You have done or even to speak — וַאֲדַבֵּרָה – of them to myself, I would fail because they are too numerous to recount — עָצְמוּ מִסַּפֵּר .
PART 3. LOOKING FOR SINCERITY.
(ז) זֶבַח וּמִנְחָה לֹא חָפַצְתָּ
You have always acted out of kindness, for the welfare of Klal Yisrael. You wanted our obedience so that we would grow morally and spiritually, to be worthy of eternal life. This was Your primary concern, not the sacrificial offerings we would bring to You. You asked for such offerings only after we had sinned, since the offerings provided a means of atonement for individuals and the nation as a whole. Our obedience was important to You. In comparison to that, You did not want — לֹא חָפַצְתָּ – sacrificial offerings such as a korban shelamim or a korban minchah — זֶבַח וּמִנְחָה – (peace offering or meal offering).
אָזְנַיִם כָּרִיתָ לִּי
עוֹלָה וַחֲטָאָה לֹא שָׁאָלְתָּ:
עוֹלָה וַחֲטָאָה לֹא שָׁאָלְתָּ:
You provided me with ears — אָזְנַיִם כָּרִיתָ לִּי – so that I could hear Your wishes and sincerely obey Your Torah. But You did not look for a korban olah or a korban chatas — עוֹלָה וַחֲטָאָה לֹא שָׁאָלְתָּ – (burnt offering or sin offering), especially since such offerings are typically required only after one has sinned.
(ח) אָז אָמַרְתִּי
Then, when I recovered from my misfortune, I said — אָז אָמַרְתִּי :
הִנֵּה בָאתִי
בִּמְגִלַּת סֵפֶר כָּתוּב עָלָי:
בִּמְגִלַּת סֵפֶר כָּתוּב עָלָי:
I want to do what pleases You, Hashem, which is to learn Your Torah and observe Your mitzvos. Behold I have come — הִנֵּה בָאתִי – before You with the Scroll of the [Torah] Book — בִּמְגִלַּת סֵפֶר – in which is written everything that is incumbent upon me — כָּתוּב עָלָי .
(ט) לַעֲשׂוֹת רְצוֹנְךָ אֱלֹקַי חָפָצְתִּי
וְתוֹרָתְךָ בְּתוֹךְ מֵעָי:
וְתוֹרָתְךָ בְּתוֹךְ מֵעָי:
My G-d, it has been my sincere desire to carry out Your will — לַעֲשׂוֹת רְצוֹנְךָ אֱלֹקַי חָפָצְתִּי . Your Torah — וְתוֹרָתְךָ – has not just been on my lips, and not just on the parchment scroll. It has been deep within my innards — בְּתוֹךְ מֵעָי , that is, in my heart.
(י) בִּשַּׂרְתִּי צֶדֶק בְּקָהָל רָב
הִנֵּה שְׂפָתַי לֹא אֶכְלָא ה’ אַתָּה יָדָעְתָּ:
הִנֵּה שְׂפָתַי לֹא אֶכְלָא ה’ אַתָּה יָדָעְתָּ:
And so I have proclaimed Your benevolence in a great assembly — בִּשַּׂרְתִּי צֶדֶק בְּקָהָל רָב . Behold — הִנֵּה , although You appreciate worthy thoughts, I do not restrain my lips — שְׂפָתַי לֹא אֶכְלָא . But what is in my heart, Hashem, You alone know it — ה’ אַתָּה יָדָעְתָּ .
(יא) צִדְקָתְךָ לֹא כִסִּיתִי בְּתוֹךְ לִבִּי
אֱמוּנָתְךָ וּתְשׁוּעָתְךָ אָמָרְתִּי
אֱמוּנָתְךָ וּתְשׁוּעָתְךָ אָמָרְתִּי
It is natural for one who receives help to be ashamed of his dependency. But I have not covered up the knowledge of Your benevolence that is within my heart — צִדְקָתְךָ לֹא כִסִּיתִי בְּתוֹךְ לִבִּי . Instead, I have spoken — אָמָרְתִּי – publicly of Your steadfastness — אֱמוּנָתְךָ – in carrying out Your promise and I have described Your yeshuah — וּתְשׁוּעָתְךָ .
לֹא כִחַדְתִּי חַסְדְּךָ וַאֲמִתְּךָ
לְקָהָל רָב:
לְקָהָל רָב:
I have not withheld — לֹא כִחַדְתִּי – Your kindness and Your truth — חַסְדְּךָ וַאֲמִתְּךָ – from being proclaimed to great gatherings — לְקָהָל רָב – of our people.
PART 4. A PLEA FOR DELIVERANCE.
(יב) אַתָּה ה’
לֹא תִכְלָא רַחֲמֶיךָ מִמֶּנִּי
לֹא תִכְלָא רַחֲמֶיךָ מִמֶּנִּי
Just as I have not restrained my lips from announcing Your benevolence to all (verse 10), I ask that You, Hashem — אַתָּה ה’ , do not withhold Your mercy from me — לֹא תִכְלָא רַחֲמֶיךָ מִמֶּנִּי .
חַסְדְּךָ וַאֲמִתְּךָ תָּמִיד יִצְּרוּנִי:
May Your kindness and Your truth that I have proclaimed to the people (verse 11) always protect me — חַסְדְּךָ וַאֲמִתְּךָ תָּמִיד יִצְּרוּנִי , for there is never a day that I don’t need Your watchful eye. Kindness is Your middah that induces You to promise me Your yeshuah and truth is Your middah that induces You to fulfill that promise.
(יג) כִּי אָפְפוּ עָלַי רָעוֹת עַד אֵין מִסְפָּר
הִשִּׂיגוּנִי עֲוֹנֹתַי וְלֹא יָכֹלְתִּי לִרְאוֹת
הִשִּׂיגוּנִי עֲוֹנֹתַי וְלֹא יָכֹלְתִּי לִרְאוֹת
I desperately need Your help for uncounted evils have encircled me — כִּי אָפְפוּ עָלַי רָעוֹת עַד אֵין מִסְפָּר . My sins, which are the cause of my troubles, have overtaken me — הִשִּׂיגוּנִי עֲוֹנֹתַי . They overwhelmed me rapidly and dulled my faculties so that I could not see — וְלֹא יָכֹלְתִּי לִרְאוֹת – the terrible effect they would have on my ability to fight them. Otherwise I would surely have corrected my behavior sooner.
עָצְמוּ מִשַּׂעֲרוֹת רֹאשִׁי
וְלִבִּי עֲזָבָנִי:
וְלִבִּי עֲזָבָנִי:
Now they have become more numerous than the hairs on my head — עָצְמוּ מִשַּׂעֲרוֹת רֹאשִׁי . Individual hairs appear inconsequential, but their combined effect is overwhelming. And so my strength to fight them has abandoned me — וְלִבִּי עֲזָבָנִי . I need Your help.
(יד) רְצֵה ה’ לְהַצִּילֵנִי
ה’ לְעֶזְרָתִי חוּשָׁה:
ה’ לְעֶזְרָתִי חוּשָׁה:
Since You are my only hope, may it be Your will, Hashem, to save me — רְצֵה ה’ לְהַצִּילֵנִי ה’ . And so I plead with You, Hashem, hurry to my assistance — לְעֶזְרָתִי חוּשָׁה – and help me restore my mental equilibrium so that I can do teshuvah for my sins before it is too late.
(טו) יֵבֹשׁוּ וְיַחְפְּרוּ יַחַד
מְבַקְשֵׁי נַפְשִׁי לִסְפּוֹתָהּ
מְבַקְשֵׁי נַפְשִׁי לִסְפּוֹתָהּ
May those who seek to end my life — מְבַקְשֵׁי נַפְשִׁי לִסְפּוֹתָהּ – be embarrassed and shamed together — יֵבֹשׁוּ וְיַחְפְּרוּ יַחַד , once they realize that Hashem has taken my side against them.
יִסֹּגוּ אָחוֹר וְיִכָּלְמוּ חֲפֵצֵי רָעָתִי:
May those who desire my harm — חֲפֵצֵי רָעָתִי – be forced to retreat and be humiliated — יִסֹּגוּ אָחוֹר וְיִכָּלְמוּ .
(טז) יָשֹׁמּוּ עַל עֵקֶב בָּשְׁתָּם
הָאֹמְרִים לִי הֶאָח הֶאָח:
הָאֹמְרִים לִי הֶאָח הֶאָח:
Let my enemies be devastated on account of their embarrassment — יָשֹׁמּוּ עַל עֵקֶב בָּשְׁתָּם – when I am vindicated. Those are the people who have been joyfully exclaiming to each other about me, “Hurrah, Hurrah!” — הָאֹמְרִים לִי הֶאָח הֶאָח , thinking they have seen my downfall.
(יז) יָשִׂישׂוּ וְיִשְׂמְחוּ בְּךָ כָּל מְבַקְשֶׁיךָ
יֹאמְרוּ תָמִיד יִגְדַּל ה’ אֹהֲבֵי תְּשׁוּעָתֶךָ:
יֹאמְרוּ תָמִיד יִגְדַּל ה’ אֹהֲבֵי תְּשׁוּעָתֶךָ:
In contrast to the fate of the wicked, may all who seek to be close to You — כָּל מְבַקְשֶׁיךָ – rejoice and be glad with You — יָשִׂישׂוּ וְיִשְׂמְחוּ בְּךָ . They will be happy to see how the influence of Your Name in the world is magnified through the yeshuah. And as for those who love to see Your yeshuah — אֹהֲבֵי תְּשׁוּעָתֶךָ – because they want it to come from You alone, may they always be zoche (merit) to see it and therefore be able to say — יֹאמְרוּ תָמִיד – with confidence, “Let the attribute of mercy of Hashem be magnified over His attribute of harsh judgment! — יִגְדַּל ה’ .”
(יח) וַאֲנִי עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן אֲדֹ־נָי יַחֲשָׁב לִי
As for me — וַאֲנִי , though I am a king, I am completely and continually dependent upon Hashem and so in Your eyes I am really poor and destitute — עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן . And yet my L-rd treats me as important — אֲדֹ־נָי יַחֲשָׁב לִי .
עֶזְרָתִי וּמְפַלְטִי אַתָּה
אֱלֹקַי אַל תְּאַחַר:
אֱלֹקַי אַל תְּאַחַר:
You are my Help — עֶזְרָתִי אַתָּה – to save me from my troubles and my Rescuer — וּמְפַלְטִי – to save me from being caught up in my sins. Furthermore, You are my G-d — אֱלֹקַי – to judge me with benevolence. Do not delay — אַל תְּאַחַר .
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.
[40:2] PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. – קַוֹּה קִוִּיתִי ה’ וַיֵּט אֵלַי וַיִּשְׁמַע שַׁוְעָתִי – “I continued to put my hope in Hashem. He leaned down toward me and heard my cry.” Encourage others by recounting occasions in which He responded to your tefillos by coming to your aid.
[40:3] – וַיַּעֲלֵנִי מִבּוֹר שָׁאוֹן מִטִּיט הַיָּוֵן – “He raised me from a black pit, from the clinging mire.”
[40:4] A NEW SONG. – וַיִּתֵּן בְּפִי שִׁיר חָדָשׁ תְּהִלָּה לֵאלֹקֵינוּ – “He has put a new song in my mouth, of praise to our G-d.” Use the power of song to praise Hashem and inspire people to revere Him.
[40:10] MAJESTY IN NUMBERS. – בִּשַּׂרְתִּי צֶדֶק בְּקָהָל רָב – “I have proclaimed [Your] benevolence in a great assembly.” Participate in large gatherings to maximize the glory and awareness of Hashem.
Lessons for Life – Your Attitude.
[40:5] BITACHON. – אַשְׁרֵי הַגֶּבֶר אֲשֶׁר שָׂם ה’ מִבְטַחוֹ – “Fortunate is the man who put his trust in Hashem.” Trust in Hashem and not in smooth-talking people who claim they can solve your problems.
[40:5] – וְלֹא פָנָה אֶל רְהָבִים וְשָׂטֵי כָזָב – “He wisely did not turn to the braggarts that turn away deceitfully when there is trouble.”
[40:18] HUMILITY. – וַאֲנִי עָנִי וְאֶבְיוֹן אֲדֹ־נָי יַחֲשָׁב לִי – “As for me, I am poor and destitute, [yet] my L-rd treats me as important.” Even though you have been granted public honors, you should see yourself as poor and destitute because everything you have comes from Hashem.
Tehillos for Life – Contemplation of Hashem.
[40:6] WONDERS. – רַבּוֹת עָשִׂיתָ אַתָּה ה’ אֱלֹקַי נִפְלְאֹתֶיךָ וּמַחְשְׁבֹתֶיךָ אֵלֵינוּ – “You have done many great things. You, Hashem, my G-d [have performed] Your wonders and Your plans for us.” Praise Hashem for the wonders He has performed to save Klal Yisrael.
[40:6] – אַגִּידָה וַאֲדַבֵּרָה עָצְמוּ מִסַּפֵּר – “Were I to tell others or speak, [I would fail, as] they are too numerous to recount.”
Lessons for Life – Your Behavior.
[40:7] SINCERITY. – זֶבַח וּמִנְחָה לֹא חָפַצְתָּ – “You did not want a korban shelamim or a korban minchah.” It is not enough to go through the motions of saying tefillos and doing mitzvos. Hashem will not be pleased unless your actions are accompanied by a measure of devotion and sincerity.
[40:9] – לַעֲשׂוֹת רְצוֹנְךָ אֱלֹקַי חָפָצְתִּי – “My G-d, it has been my desire to carry out Your will.”
[40:9] – וְתוֹרָתְךָ בְּתוֹךְ מֵעָי – “Your Torah has not just been on my lips, but within my innards.”
Tefillos for Life – Your Yeshuah.
[40:14] URGENCY – רְצֵה ה’ לְהַצִּילֵנִי ה’ לְעֶזְרָתִי חוּשָׁה – “May it be Your will, Hashem, to save me. Hashem, hurry to my assistance.” Express your plea to be saved with urgency. This emphasizes how dependent you are on Hashem’s yeshuah.
[40:18] – עֶזְרָתִי וּמְפַלְטִי אַתָּה אֱלֹקַי אַל תְּאַחַר – “You are my Help and my Rescuer; my G-d, do not delay.”
Sources
The primary sources used in the interpretation of the verses of this mizmor are listed below.
א – מאיר טוב
ב – אבן עזרא, המאירי, מאיר טוב
ג – אבן עזרא, המאירי, מצודות, מלבי”ם, רשר”ה
ד – אבן עזרא, רד”ק, המאירי, בן־רמוך, מאיר טוב
ה – אבן עזרא, רד”ק, בן־רמוך, אבן יחייא, רשר”ה, נר לרגלי, מאיר טוב
ו – רש”י, אבן עזרא, המאירי, באר אברהם, מאיר טוב
ז – אבן עזרא, רד”ק,
ח – אבן עזרא, רד”ק, בן־רמוך, ספורנו
ט – המאירי, בן־רמוך, מלבי”ם
י – רד”ק, אבן יחייא, באר אברהם
יא – אבן עזרא, רד”ק, בן־רמוך, מצודות, נר לרגלי
יב – אבן עזרא, המאירי, בן־רמוך, באר אברהם
יג – אבן עזרא, רד”ק, המאירי, אלשיך
יד – רד”ק, בן־רמוך, באר אברהם
טו – רש”י, רד”ק, בן־רמוך
טז – רש”י, אבן עזרא, רשר”ה
יז – רד”ק, ספורנו, רשר”ה, נר לרגלי
יח – רד”ק, המאירי, בן־רמוך