Tehilim Perek 37D

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 37. This is the fourth and final class on this perek.

Please review the earlier shiurim on this chapter for background information.

Verse 18 is one of the many great pessukim in this chapter.

יוֹדֵ֣עַ יְ֭הוָה יְמֵ֣י תְמִימִ֑ם וְ֝נַחֲלָתָ֗ם לְעוֹלָ֥ם תִּהְיֶֽה׃

God pays particular attention to the days of the innocent, to lengthen their lives; their inheritance in the Word to Come will last forever.

The Malbim explains that Dovid is continuing to point out the difference between the reshaim and the righteous.

Notice that the passuk says “yimey temimim – days of the innocent.” The word tamim also means whole and complete. A person who goes through life with great temimas – simplicity, will have days that last forever.

How do we become more simple and content?

Spiritually and psychologically speaking, we’ve become more complicated and cynical. Instead of taking something at face value, we often probe other’s intentions about what they really mean or what they are thinking. Somehow, we think we have the gift of mind reading, often feeling that we know what someone else is thinking!

Too much thinking and analyzing moves us away from simplicity and wholesomeness. Imagine what life would be like if we saw the world non-judgmentally, how it would feel to see even ourselves and our own thoughts in that way. We would be free to experience all the emotions that come with the gamut of life.

Being less judgmental of others allows us to feel more relaxed, and experience a quieter mind. Our relationships would improve, and our overall sense of wellbeing would be heightened.

The Gemarah in Brachos explains that just as no two faces look the same, no two people think the same! We can very easily accept the fact that we don’t look alike, but do we understand that no two people have the same thoughts? No two people will ever see something in exactly the same way – even if it seems that they agree – not our spouses or kids, and certainly not our boss!

Our thoughts are invisible, even to ourselves! Every so often, however, we believe that we know what someone else is thinking. This can easily lead to anger, causing us to lose our temimas and simplicity.

As Dovid Hamelech says, “Yodeah Hashem yimey temimim – God knows and loves when we approach life and our relationships with temimus.” Then, as the verse continues, “v’nachlosom l’olam tehiya – your inheritance will last forever. When we are content with our lives, our imprint on those around us becomes everlasting. We become more loving, and wonderful feelings of light heartedness begin to resurface. The result is that we feel closer to Hashem.

Let us merit bringing joy to Hashem by serving Him out of deep feelings of gratitude, love and a sense of contentment with life. Let us approach life with great temimas and a positive attitude, meriting truly long days.

Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful day.