Tehilim Perek 7B

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

In the first shiur we learned that Dovid took responsibility for what happened between Him and his father in-law, Shaul Hamelech.

Dovid defended himself to God by relating that he didn’t intentionally try to cause harm to Shaul. In fact, Shaul caused his own harm by acting the way he did. Dovid only tried to do good to Shaul.

We see that a person shouldn’t be happy if Hashem punishes someone he doesn’t like. In fact, as the Chovos HaLevovo explains in Sha’ar Avodas Elokim a person should try to be “M’eshalim Tov Tachas Rah,” to return good even if he received bad.

I’ve never seen a person filled with love to do harmful things. When we’re feeling secure and filled with love, it becomes very easy to be forgiving, kind and compassionate. to do good to someone even if you feel he may have been wrong.

It’s only when we are feeling bad in our own lives that we can be punitive, vindictive, cruel and mean. As the expression goes, “Hurt people, hurt people.”

Dovid is somehow able to shed his negative feelings and take full responsibility for any damage that may have occurred.

Let’s continue in Passuk Zayin.

Arise God, in Your anger, assert Yourself in fury against my tormentors. Rouse on my behalf the judgment that You ordained.

Dovid didn’t want Shaul to be punished for chasing him, but to judge Shaul on what he deserves on his own, not because of what he was doing to Dovid.

When the assembly of the nations gather around you, rise above it and return Heavenward. O God who judges nations, judge me, God, commensurate with my righteousness and blamelessness.

Hashem consistently judges the nations and every individual based on their own deeds.

Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; He who probes the mind and conscience is God the righteous.

In other words, don’t be quick to judge other people. We often analyze other’s intentions and attempt to probe their thoughts. But none of us are mind readers. Only God knows what is going through someone else’s head!

I look to God to shield me; the deliverer of the upright.

Hashem delivers the “Yishrei Lev.” When act with simplicity and straight- heartedness, we stop probing other people’s intentions. In return, we feel calmer, and it becomes easier to focus on what Hashem wants from us.

God vindicates the righteous; God pronounces doom each day. If one does not turn back, but whets his sword, bends his bow and aims it. Then against himself he readies deadly weapons, and makes his arrows sharp. See, he hatches evil, conceives mischief, and gives birth to fraud. He has dug a pit and deepened it, and will fall into the trap he made. His mischief will recoil upon his own head; his lawlessness will come down upon his skull. I will praise the LORD for His righteousness, and sing.

Dovid, despite all his challenges, rises above them, never losing his faith in Hashem’s goodness.

Thank you for listening and have a wonderful day.