Tehilim Perek 118

Hello everybody, I’m Rabbi Shaya Sussman, covering the entire TANACH one perek at a time. Today’s NachDaily is Tehilim Chapter 118, the 6^th chapter in Hallel.

The Radak debates whether Dovid wrote this psalm as thanks for his ascension to the throne, or prophetically about the ingathering of the exiles. The latter has started in our times, as we see Jews coming from all four corners of the earth to live in Eretz Yisrael.

The first two pessukim of the perek say, “Hodu laHashem ki tov. Yomar na Yisrael ki laolam chassdo, Praise Hashem because His kindness is forever. Yisrael, praise Hashem for His kindness endures forever.”

The Shai Lemora adds that we are obligated to give thanks back to God according to the good we receive. The first passuk begins with general praise of Hashem because it’s also a mitzva for Gentiles to give thanks to God in recognition of the good they’ve received. Following this, it more specifically says that Am Yisrael should praise Hashem because we have received more than any other people on earth.

In this perek, the author thanks Hashem for all the good he’s received, expressing deep emunah in God. Because He is with me, I’m not afraid, as Hashem is the source of everything!

The author also relates that on a national level, Am Yisrael never stopped serving Hashem, even in exile when they were surrounded by all the gentile nations. Yes, it’s been hard, but we’re a strong and resilient nation because God is with us!

Even when we’re persecuted, Hashem continues to help us, lifting us when we fall.

The author ends with a tefilah for the Mashiach. We will not die, but will live and persevere. We will live to see the Beis Hamikdash. Hashem, save us now! We will thank You forever and ever.

Verse 17 says:

לֹא אָמוּת כִּי־אֶחְיֶה וַאֲסַפֵּר מַעֲשֵׂי יָהּ׃

I will not die. I will live to relate the deeds of God.

Rav Yakov Moshe Charlop, in sefer Mei Marom, relates that one of the main things causing a person to lose emunah in the final redemption is yeush, depression, giving up and feeling discouraged. Despondency can sneak up on us, and we begin to lose hope. It’s been over 2,000 years of exile, still no Beis Hamikdash, no open miracles, no Mashiach, and as a nation we’ve suffered.

Neverthless, we need to be hopeful, combating a national feeling of discouragement with emunah and bitachon, faith and trust. Hashem has not left us! And Mashiach will come!

“I will not die, but live. I have strong unshakeable emunah. I will relate the deeds of God and see the final redemption,” Dovid was saying.

We need to look at the world with eyes of emunah, seeing how Hashem has shepherded His lost flock back to the green pastures of Eretz Yisrael. We are rebuilding Eretz Yisrael, restoring the ancient ruins of old. Certainly, if the beginning is true, the end will be true as well.

May we merit increased emunah, understanding that the world events around us are part of the process of redemption. May we merit seeing the 3^rd Beis Hamikdash with our very own eyes!

Thank you for listening and have a wonderful day!