Tehilim Perek 59

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 59. This chapter has 18 pessukim in it.

This chapter corresponds to what happened to Dovid in Shmuel Aleph Perek 19. Check out the NachDaily archives for further information.

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The background over here is as follows;

This was one of the earlier attacks on Dovids life from Shaul. Shaul had tried to kill Dovid by throwing a spear at him. Michal, Dovid’s wife, who was also Shaul’s daughter, helped Dovid escape. While Dovid’s house was surrounded by Shauls guards, in the middle of the night she created a mannequin that looked like Dovid. Placed the mannequin in bed. Than helped Dovid escape by lowering a rope out the window. The next day when Shaul realized what happened he questioned Michal about her motives. Michal related Dovid had put her up to it. Dovid composed this chapter the night the house was surrounded.

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Now for the perek summary;

This chapter relates Dovid’s disdain for those who chase him. Dovid opens up asking God to rescue him from men who want him dead. Dovid proclaims his innocence, how he’s being falsely accused and how did didn’t even do anything wrong. In verse 7 Dovid compares Shaul’s men to “growling dogs” who are out to get him.

In verse 10 Dovid switches gears. First, he starts praising Gods Might. Than, Dovid moves into praying for the downfall of those who want him dead. Dovid doesn’t ask God to kill them. Rather Dovid prays to God to use His power to turn them into impoverished and poor people. This way people will learn a lesson. God ultimately decides who will rise and who will fall. So, when on lookers will see distinguished people fallen. They’ll know the truth.

The perek ends with Dovid contrasting himself to the “dogs” who want him dead. Dovid proclaims he’ll sing to God no matter what. And ultimately, he’s been a recipient of God’s loving kindness.

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Now for the highlight passuk. In verse 18 is says;

עֻ֭זִּי אֵלֶ֣יךָ אֲזַמֵּ֑רָה כִּֽי־אֱלֹהִ֥ים מִ֝שְׂגַּבִּ֗י אֱלֹהֵ֥י חַסְדִּֽי׃

O my strength, to You I sing hymns; for God is my haven, my faithful God.

Notice how the passsuk uses the word “uzi strength.” Rebbe Nachman explains; there’s two different types of “oze strength” a person can have. One type is ozus d’kedusha holy stubborn and brazenness. The other type ozus d’sitra achra impure evil strength.

The main ozus one needs to obtain is patience. To be patient, things will work themselves out over time. That you’ll persevere and ultimately outlast any challenge or obstacle you encounter. Whether, its being patient with your work, relationships, yourself, your children and Avodas Hashem. To have Emunah, that life has a way to work itself out.

Sure, there are obstacles and barriers we need to cross and figure out. But we need to have patience, which emanates from a deep trust in the goodness of life and God.

All to often, we become impatient with the process of life, which causes us to back down, give up and throw in the towel. This leads to a feeling of discouragement and discontent feeling for life. feeling as if everything needs to happen rite away. We often fail to see the bigger picture.

As the expression goes “patience is a virtue.” This is the ozus d’kedusha, holy strength one needs to out last and survive the ups and downs of life. Not to despair with a sense of urgency because things aren’t happening the way you thought it would.

Here Dovid, was saying, uzi e’lecha – I have strength for You. Meaning, ill hang in their with true patience and deep belief in God’s goodness. The world is a good place. Therefore, I know I’ll outlast, those who want to detract from it.

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Let us merit to have ozus d’kedusha, holy strength to go forward in life and not feel discouraged. To believe in the goodness of God, the process of life and the goodness of life itself. This way we’ll truly merit not to be discouraged from life’s set backs.

Thank you for listening and have a wonderful day.