Tehilim Perek 58

Welcome to NachDaily, covering the entire TANACH one perek at a time. I’m Rabbi Shaya Sussman, and today we’ll be discussing Tehilim, chapter 58.

This chapter corresponds to Shmuel Aleph, perek 26. Check out the NachDaily archives for further information.

The background:

As in the previous perek, Dovid had a chance to kill Shaul, but refrained.

Shaul had led his troops to search for Dovid in the town of Chakila. Dovid and his trusted man, Avishai Ben Tsruya, went to spy on Shaul’s camp. Miraculously, they found everyone there in a deep sleep. Dovid and Avishai stole past Avner ben Ner, Shaul’s general, to the King himself. Avishai urged Dovid to finally kill Shaul. Dovid, however, didn’t dare to touch the king of Yisrael. Instead, he took Shaul’s spear and water flask, and left the camp.

From a distance, Dovid shouted in order to wake up Avner Ben Ner and Shaul, showing them that he had the items and had chosen not to kill Shaul.

The chapter opens up with Dovid sharply rebuking Avner Ben Ner. Dovid relates that the wicked, whose words are as poisonous as a viper, constantly justify violence. The Meforshim explain that this refers to Avner, who was constantly instigating against Dovid.

In verse 7, Dovid prays for Hashem to “shatter the teeth of young lions” so that they will leave him alone. In return the world will see that God punishes the wicked and rewards the righteous. All will believe that God is judging the earth.

Verse 11 says:

יִשְׂמַ֣ח צַ֭דִּיק כִּי־חָזָ֣ה נָקָ֑ם פְּעָמָ֥יו יִ֝רְחַ֗ץ בְּדַ֣ם הָרָשָֽׁע׃

The righteous man will rejoice when he sees revenge; he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked.

The Meforshim explain that Hashem rejoices when he sees the Tzaddik being lifted up. Reshaim, who were murderers during their lifetime, will be repaid midda k’negged mida- tit for tat for all the blood that they shed.

The Ramad Walli explains that this refers to the times of the final redemption. The word nokum, revenge, has the same numerical value, 90, as the word keitz- end. At the end of days, the nations of the world will fall. It is ultimately up to God to decide which cultures and countries will endure through time. As we’ve seen throughout history, the Egyptians, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Romans, and Greeks have all disappeared. Nations come and go.

The Ramad Walli specifically writes that at the end of days, the nations of Esav and Yishmael will meet their ends. Esav represents America, and Yishmael represents the Arabs. Ultimately Hashem will decide to take revenge on them and we’ll see their demise.

The Ramad Walli goes on to explain the end of the passuk he will bathe his feet in the blood of the wicked. The Jewish nation will be happy, and celebrate the downfall of their persecutors. It will be beneficial to the entire world when God will bring these nations to their final tikkun, rectification. Their tikkun represents the downfall of tuma, impurity, and the rise of Am Yisrael will bring Kedusha, holiness and purity to the world.

There will simultaneously be an increase in God’s light and a decrease of spiritual tuma. The Divine essence of the world will be revealed for all to see what is true and what is not. All of the existing false paradigms and beliefs will be seen in their true light.

On that day He and His name will be One.

Let us merit emulating Dovid Hamelech, to not take revenge on those harming us, rather repaying bad with good, and increasing the light of God in the world.

Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.