א׳
לַמְנַצֵּ֤חַ ׀ לְעֶ֥בֶד יְהוָ֗ה לְדָ֫וִ֥ד אֲשֶׁ֤ר דִּבֶּ֨ר ׀ לַיהוָ֗ה אֶת־דִּ֭בְרֵי הַשִּׁירָ֣ה הַזֹּ֑את בְּי֤וֹם הִֽצִּיל־יְהוָ֘ה אוֹת֥וֹ מִכַּ֥ף כָּל־אֹ֝יְבָ֗יו וּמִיַּ֥ד שָׁאֽוּל׃
1
For the leader. Of David, the servant of the LORD, who addressed the words of this song to the LORD after the LORD had saved him from the hands of all his enemies and from the clutches of Saul.
1
For the Leader. [A Psalm] of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul;
בְּיוֹם הִצִּיל ה׳ אוֹתוֹ וְגוֹ׳. כְּשֶׁהִזְקִין, וּכְבָר עָבְרוּ עָלָיו כָּל צָרוֹתָיו וְנִצּוֹל מֵהֶם:
on the day the Lord saved him etc. When he became old and all his troubles had already passed over him and he was saved from them.
וּמִיַּד שָׁאוּל. וַהֲלֹא שָׁאוּל בִּכְלָל הָיָה? אֶלָּא לְפִי שֶׁהָיָה קָשֶׁה עָלָיו וְרוֹדְפוֹ יוֹתֵר מִכֻּלָּם. כְּיוֹצֵא בַדָּבָר אַתָּה אוֹמֵר: ״וְרָאוּ אֶת הָאָרֶץ וְאֶת יְרִיחוֹ״ (יהושע ב:א):
and from the hand of Saul Was not Saul included? But [he is mentioned specifically] because he was the harshest to him and pursued him more than all of them. Similarly, you say (in Josh. 2:1): “see the land and Jericho.”
ב׳
וַיֹּאמַ֡ר אֶרְחָמְךָ֖ יְהוָ֣ה חִזְקִֽי׃
2
He said:
I adore you, O LORD, my strength,
2
And he said: I love thee, O LORD, my strength.
אֶרְחָמְךָ. אֲאַהֶבְךָ, כְּדִמְתַרְגֵּם ״וְאָהַבְתָּ״ (ויקרא יט:יח): ״וְתִרְחַם״ (תרגום אונקלוס):
I love You Heb. ארחמך, I love You, as the Targum renders (Lev. 19:18): “and you shall love your neighbor,” ותרחם.
ג׳
יְהוָ֤ה ׀ סַֽלְעִ֥י וּמְצוּדָתִ֗י וּמְפַ֫לְטִ֥י אֵלִ֣י צ֭וּרִי אֶֽחֱסֶה־בּ֑וֹ מָֽגִנִּ֥י וְקֶֽרֶן־יִ֝שְׁעִ֗י מִשְׂגַּבִּֽי׃
3
O LORD, my crag, my fortress, my rescuer,
my God, my rock in whom I seek refuge,
my shield, my mighty champion, my haven.
3
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in Him I take refuge; my shield, and my horn of salvation, my high tower.
סַלְעִי. שֶׁעֲזַרְתַּנִי בְּסֶלַע הַמַּחְלְקוֹת, כְּשֶׁהָיִיתִי מְצֻמְצָם בֵּין שָׁאוּל וַאֲנָשָׁיו לְהִתָּפֵס, כְּמוֹ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר: ״וְשָׁאוּל וַאֲנָשָׁיו עוֹטְרִים אֶל דָּוִד וְגוֹמֵר״ (שמואל א כג:כו):
my rock For You saved me at the Rock of the Divisions (I Sam. 23:28), when I was trapped between Saul and his men, to be caught, as it is stated (in I Sam. 23:26): “but Saul and his men were encircling to David and his men etc.”
וּמְצוּדָתִי. לְשׁוֹן מִבְצָר:
and my fortress Heb. ומצודתי, an expression of a fortress.
צוּרִי. לְשׁוֹן סֶלַע:
my rock Heb. צורי, an expression of a rock.
אֶחֱסֶה. אַבְרִיאַיְי״ר בְּלַעַ״ז:
I will take refuge Abrier in French (to protect, cover; cf. Rashi to Isa. 30:2, Joel 4:16).
אֶחֱסֶה בּוֹ. אֶתְכַּסֶּה בְּצִלּוֹ, כְּעִנְיָן שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וּמִבְּלִי מַחְסֶה חִבְּקוּ צוּר״ (איוב כד:ח) – שֶׁהַסְּלָעִים כִּסּוּי וּמָגֵן לְהוֹלְכֵי דְרָכִים מִן הָרוּחוֹת וּמִזֶּרֶם גְּשָׁמִים:
I will take refuge in Him I will take shelter in His shade, as the matter is stated (in Job 24:8): “and without shelter (מחסה) they embrace the rocks,” because the rocks are a shelter and a shield for the travelers from the winds and from the downpour of rains.
ד׳
מְ֭הֻלָּל אֶקְרָ֣א יְהוָ֑ה וּמִן־אֹ֝יְבַ֗י אִוָּשֵֽׁעַ׃
4
All praise! I called on the LORD
and was delivered from my enemies.
4
Praised, I cry, is the LORD, and I am saved from mine enemies. .
מְהֻלָּל אֶקְרָא ה׳. בְּהִלּוּלִים אֶקְרָא וְאֶתְפַּלֵּל לְפָנָיו תָּמִיד, כְּלוֹמַר אַף לִפְנֵי הַתְּשׁוּעָה אֲנִי מְהַלְּלוֹ, לְפִי שֶׁבָּטוּחַ אֲנִי שֶׁאִוָּשֵׁעַ מֵאוֹיְבַי:
With praise I call to the lord With praises I call Him and pray before Him constantly, i.e., even before the salvation I praise Him, because I am confident that I will be saved from my enemies.
ה׳
אֲפָפ֥וּנִי חֶבְלֵי־מָ֑וֶת וְֽנַחֲלֵ֖י בְלִיַּ֣עַל יְבַֽעֲתֽוּנִי׃
5
Ropes of Death encompassed me;
torrents of Belial terrified me;
5
The cords of Death compassed me, and the floods of Belial assailed me.
אֲפָפוּנִי חֶבְלֵי מָוֶת. פְּעָמִים רַבּוֹת סְבָבוּנִי רְשָׁעִים, אֲפָפוּנִי כְּמוֹ סְבָבוּנִי, וְכֵן ״אָפְפוּ עָלַי רָעוֹת״ (תהלים מ:יג):
Bands of death have encompassed me On many occasions wicked men have surrounded me. אפפוני is like סבבוני. Similarly (below 40:13), “For countless evils...have encompassed (אפפו) me.”
חֶבְלֵי מָוֶת. מַחֲנוֹת אוֹיְבִים, כְּמוֹ ״חֶבֶל נְבִיאִים״ בְּסֵפֶר שְׁמוּאֵל (שמואל א י:ה). וְיוֹנָתָן תִּרְגֵּם: ״כְּאִתְּתָא דְּיָתְבָא עַל מַתְבְּרָא״, לְשׁוֹן ״חֶבְלֵי יוֹלֵדָה״ (הושע יג:יג):
Bands of death Heb. חבלי, camps of enemies, as (in I Sam. 10:5): “a band (חבל) of prophets.” But Jonathan renders: as a woman who sits on a birthstool, an expression of the pangs (חבלי) of a woman in confinement.
וְנַחֲלֵי בְלִיַּעַל. אַף הוּא לְשׁוֹן גְּיָסוֹת שׁוֹטְפִים כְּנַחַל:
and streams of scoundrels That too is an expression of troops that flood like a stream.
ו׳
חֶבְלֵ֣י שְׁא֣וֹל סְבָב֑וּנִי קִ֝דְּמ֗וּנִי מ֣וֹקְשֵׁי מָֽוֶת׃
6
ropes of Sheol encircled me;
snares of Death confronted me.
6
The cords of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of Death confronted me.
חֶבְלֵי שְׁאוֹל. כְּמוֹ חֶבְלֵי מָוֶת – ״מַשְׁרְיָן רַשִׁיעָן״ (תרגום יונתן שמואל ב כב:ו), וַאֲנִי מָה הָיִיתִי עוֹשֶׂה?
Bands of the nether world Like “bands of death,” camps of wicked men, and I - what did I do?
ז׳
בַּצַּר־לִ֤י ׀ אֶֽקְרָ֣א יְהוָה֮ וְאֶל־אֱלֹהַ֪י אֲשַׁ֫וֵּ֥עַ יִשְׁמַ֣ע מֵהֵיכָל֣וֹ קוֹלִ֑י וְ֝שַׁוְעָתִ֗י לְפָנָ֤יו ׀ תָּב֬וֹא בְאָזְנָֽיו׃
7
In my distress I called on the LORD,
cried out to my God;
in His temple He heard my voice;
my cry to Him reached His ears.
7
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God; out of His temple He heard my voice, and my cry came before Him unto His ears.
בַּצַּר לִי אֶקְרָא. אֲנִי הָיִיתִי קוֹרֵא לַה׳ תָּמִיד:
When I am in distress, I call I would always call upon the Lord.
ח׳
וַתִּגְעַ֬שׁ וַתִּרְעַ֨שׁ ׀ הָאָ֗רֶץ וּמוֹסְדֵ֣י הָרִ֣ים יִרְגָּ֑זוּ וַ֝יִּתְגָּֽעֲשׁ֗וּ כִּי־חָ֥רָה לֽוֹ׃
8
Then the earth rocked and quaked;
the foundations of the mountains shook,
rocked by His indignation;
8
Then the earth did shake and quake, the foundations also of the mountains did tremble; they were shaken, because He was wroth.
וַתִּגְעַשׁ וַתִּרְעַשׁ הָאָרֶץ. אֵינוֹ מְחֻבָּר לְמִקְרָא עֶלְיוֹן, אֶלָּא מְחֻבָּר רֹאשׁוֹ לְסוֹפוֹ: כִּי חָרָה לוֹ וַתִּגְעַשׁ וַתִּרְעַשׁ הָאָרֶץ. כִּי מְשַׁמֵּשׁ בִּלְשׁוֹן כַּאֲשֶׁר: כְּשֶׁחָרָה לוֹ וּבָא לִנְקֹם נִקְמַת עַמּוֹ וַעֲבָדָיו מִפַּרְעֹה וּמֵעַמּוֹ, גָּעֲשָׁה וְרָעֲשָׁה הָאָרֶץ:
The earth shook and quaked This is not connected to the preceding verse, but its beginning is connected to its end; i.e., when He was angered, the earth shook and quaked. [The word] כי is used as an expression of “when.” When He was angered and came to wreak the vengeance of His people, His servants, on Pharaoh and his people, the earth shook and quaked.
ט׳
עָ֘לָ֤ה עָשָׁ֨ן ׀ בְּאַפּ֗וֹ וְאֵשׁ־מִפִּ֥יו תֹּאכֵ֑ל גֶּ֝חָלִ֗ים בָּעֲר֥וּ מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃
9
smoke went up from His nostrils,
from His mouth came devouring fire;
live coals blazed forth from Him.
9
Smoke arose up in His nostrils, and fire out of His mouth did devour; coals flamed forth from Him.
עָלָה עָשָׁן בְּאַפּוֹ. אַנְשִׁישְׁנַארִילַ״שׁ בְּלַעַ״ז, כֵּן דֶּרֶךְ כָּל חֲרוֹן אַף לְהַעֲלוֹת עָשָׁן מִנְּחִירָיו:
Smoke went up in His nostrils (En ses nariles in Old French, in his nostrils.) So is the custom of every anger, to cause smoke to ascend from his nostrils.
י׳
וַיֵּ֣ט שָׁ֭מַיִם וַיֵּרַ֑ד וַ֝עֲרָפֶ֗ל תַּ֣חַת רַגְלָֽיו׃
10
He bent the sky and came down,
thick cloud beneath His feet.
10
He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and thick darkness was under His feet.
וַיֵּט שָׁמַיִם וַיֵּרַד. לַעֲבוֹר בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם. וַיֵּרַד כְּמַשְׁמָעוֹ. לָשׁוֹן אַחֵר: אִיאַנְטְבִּ״שׁ בְּלַעַ״ז:
And He bent the heavens, and He came down to pass through the land of Egypt. “He came down” is to be understood in its simple meaning. Another explanation is “i atonvit” in Old French, to flatten, as (in Exod. 39:3), and the radical is רדד.
י"א
וַיִּרְכַּ֣ב עַל־כְּ֭רוּב וַיָּעֹ֑ף וַ֝יֵּ֗דֶא עַל־כַּנְפֵי־רֽוּחַ׃
11
He mounted a cherub and flew,
gliding on the wings of the wind.
11
And He rode upon a cherub, and did fly; yea, He did swoop down upon the wings of the wind.
וַיֵּדֶא. וַיָּעֹף, כְּמוֹ ״כַּאֲשֶׁר יִדְאֶה הַנָּשֶׁר״ (דברים כח:מט):
He swooped Heb. וידא, He flew, as (in Deut. 28:49), “as the eagle swoops (ידאה).”
י"ב
יָ֤שֶׁת חֹ֨שֶׁךְ ׀ סִתְר֗וֹ סְבִֽיבוֹתָ֥יו סֻכָּת֑וֹ חֶשְׁכַת־מַ֝֗יִם עָבֵ֥י שְׁחָקִֽים׃
12
He made darkness His screen;
dark thunderheads, dense clouds of the sky
were His pavilion round about Him.
12
He made darkness His hiding-place, His pavilion round about Him; darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies.
חֶשְׁכַת מַיִם. שֶׁבְּעָבֵי שְׁחָקִים הֵם חֹשֶׁךְ אֲשֶׁר סְבִיבוֹתָיו. וְשֶׁמָּא תֹּאמַר: לִפְנִים מִן הַחֹשֶׁךְ אֵין אוֹר? תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: מִנֹּגַהּ אֲשֶׁר נֶגְדּוֹ וּמִתּוֹךְ מְחִיצָתוֹ, אֶת עָבָיו אֲשֶׁר סְבִיבוֹתָיו בּוֹקְעִים וְעוֹבְרִים בָּרָד וְגַחֲלֵי אֵשׁ:
the darkness of waters that are in the thick clouds of the skies are the darkness that is about Him. Lest you say that within the darkness there is no light, Scripture tells us: From the brightness before Him, and from within His partition, His thick clouds that are about Him are split, and hail and coals of fire pass through them.
י"ג
מִנֹּ֗גַהּ נֶ֫גְדּ֥וֹ עָבָ֥יו עָבְר֑וּ בָּ֝רָ֗ד וְגַֽחֲלֵי־אֵֽשׁ׃
13
Out of the brilliance before Him,
hail and fiery coals pierced His clouds.
13
At the brightness before Him, there passed through His thick clouds Hailstones and coals of fire.
עָבְרוּ. טְרִישְׁפָּא״שְׁנְט בְּלַעַ״ז, הַבָּרָד בּוֹקֵעַ וְעוֹבֵר עַל הַמִּצְרִיִּים עַל יָם סוּף (שמות יד:כא-כח):
passed Heb. עברו, trepasant in Old French, passed. The hail split and passes through onto the Egyptians at the Sea of Reeds.
י"ד
וַיַּרְעֵ֬ם בַּשָּׁמַ֨יִם ׀ יְֽהוָ֗ה וְ֭עֶלְיוֹן יִתֵּ֣ן קֹל֑וֹ בָּ֝רָ֗ד וְגַֽחֲלֵי־אֵֽשׁ׃
14
Then the LORD thundered from heaven,
the Most High gave forth His voice—
hail and fiery coals.
14
The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High gave forth His voice; hailstones and coals of fire.
ט"ו
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח חִ֭צָּיו וַיְפִיצֵ֑ם וּבְרָקִ֥ים רָ֝ב וַיְהֻמֵּֽם׃
15
He let fly His shafts and scattered them;
He discharged lightning and routed them.
15
And He sent out His arrows, and scattered them; and He shot forth lightnings, and discomfited them.
ט"ז
וַיֵּ֤רָא֨וּ ׀ אֲפִ֥יקֵי מַ֗יִם וַֽיִּגָּלוּ֮ מוֹסְד֪וֹת תֵּ֫בֵ֥ל מִגַּעֲרָ֣תְךָ֣ יְהוָ֑ה מִ֝נִּשְׁמַ֗ת ר֣וּחַ אַפֶּֽךָ׃
16
The ocean bed was exposed;
the foundations of the world were laid bare
by Your mighty roaring, O LORD,
at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.
16
And the channels of waters appeared, and the foundations of the world were laid bare, at Thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of Thy nostrils.
וַיֵּרָאוּ אֲפִיקֵי מַיִם. כְּשֶׁנִּבְקַע הַיָּם:
And the depths of the water appeared when the sea split.
וַיִּגָּלוּ מוֹסְדוֹת תֵּבֵל. שֶׁכָּל מֵימוֹת שֶׁבָּעוֹלָם נִבְקְעוּ:
the foundations of the world were laid bare for all the waters in the world split.
מִנִּשְׁמַת. מִנְּשִׁיבַת:
by the blast from the blowing.
י"ז
יִשְׁלַ֣ח מִ֭מָּרוֹם יִקָּחֵ֑נִי יַֽ֝מְשֵׁ֗נִי מִמַּ֥יִם רַבִּֽים׃
17
He reached down from on high, He took me;
He drew me out of the mighty waters;
17
He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters.
יִשְׁלַח מִמָּרוֹם. מַלְאָכָיו לְהַצִּיל אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל מִן הַיָּם וּמִמִּצְרַיִם:
He sent forth from on high His angels to save Israel from the sea and from the Egyptians.
יַמְשֵׁנִי. לְשׁוֹן הוֹצָאָה, כְּמוֹ ״כִּי מִן הַמַּיִם מְשִׁיתִהוּ״ (שמות ב:י):
He drew me out Heb. ימשני, an expression of drawing out, as (in Exod. 2:10), “I drew him out (משיתהו) of the water.”
י"ח
יַצִּילֵ֗נִי מֵאֹיְבִ֥י עָ֑ז וּ֝מִשֹּׂנְאַ֗י כִּֽי־אָמְצ֥וּ מִמֶּֽנִּי׃
18
He saved me from my fierce enemy,
from foes too strong for me.
18
He delivered me from mine enemy most strong, and from them that hated me, for they were too mighty for me.
י"ט
יְקַדְּמ֥וּנִי בְיוֹם־אֵידִ֑י וַֽיְהִי־יְהוָ֖ה לְמִשְׁעָ֣ן לִֽי׃
19
They confronted me on the day of my calamity,
but the LORD was my support.
19
They confronted me in the day of my calamity; but the LORD was a stay unto me.
יְקַדְּמוּנִי. אוֹיְבַי הָיוּ מְמַהֲרִין וּמַקְדִּימִין לָבֹא עָלַי בְיוֹם אֵידִי וַיְהִי ה׳ וְגוֹמֵר:
They confronted me My enemies would hasten and attack me early on the day of my calamity, but the Lord was, etc.
כ׳
וַיּוֹצִיאֵ֥נִי לַמֶּרְחָ֑ב יְ֝חַלְּצֵ֗נִי כִּ֘י חָ֥פֵֽץ בִּֽי׃
20
He brought me out to freedom;
He rescued me because He was pleased with me.
20
He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because He delighted in me.
כ"א
יִגְמְלֵ֣נִי יְהוָ֣ה כְּצִדְקִ֑י כְּבֹ֥ר יָ֝דַ֗י יָשִׁ֥יב לִֽי׃
21
The LORD rewarded me according to my merit;
He requited the cleanness of my hands;
21
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath He recompensed me. .
כְּצִדְקִי. כְּצֶדֶק לֶכְתִּי אַחֲרָיו בַּמִּדְבָּר (ירמיהו ב:ב):
according to my righteousness According to the righteousness of my following Him in the desert.
כְּבֹר. לְשׁוֹן נְקִיּוּת, כְּמוֹ ״וּבַר לֵבָב״ (תהלים כד:ד). דָּבָר אַחֵר: יִשְׁלַח מִמָּרוֹם יִקָּחֵנִי – כְּנֶגֶד עַצְמוֹ אָמַר, עַל שֵׁם הַמַּלְאָךְ שֶׁבָּא בְּסֶלַע הַמַּחְלְקוֹת לִפְצוֹת אֶת שָׁאוּל מֵעָלָיו, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וּמַלְאָךְ בָּא אֶל שָׁאוּל וְגוֹמֵר״ (שמואל א כג:כז):
according to the cleanness Heb. כבד, an expression of cleanness, as (below 24:4), “and pure of heart.” Another explanation: He sent forth from on high [and] He took me. [David] said this about himself, concerning the angel who came to the Rock of the Divisions (I Sam. 23:27) to turn Saul away from him, as it is stated: “And an angel came to Saul, etc.”
כְּצִדְקִי. שֶׁלֹּא הֲרַגְתִּיו בְּכָרְתִי אֶת כְּנַף מְעִילוֹ (שמואל א כד:ד):
according to my righteousness that I did not slay him when I sliced off the skirt of his coat. [Obviously, Rashi explains verses 8-17 as referring to Israel’s departure from Egypt. Only in verse 17 does he suggest the explanation that David refers to his own experiences.]
כ"ב
כִּֽי־שָׁ֭מַרְתִּי דַּרְכֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וְלֹֽא־רָ֝שַׁ֗עְתִּי מֵאֱלֹהָֽי׃
22
for I have kept to the ways of the LORD,
and have not been guilty before my God;
22
For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
כ"ג
כִּ֣י כָל־מִשְׁפָּטָ֣יו לְנֶגְדִּ֑י וְ֝חֻקֹּתָ֗יו לֹא־אָסִ֥יר מֶֽנִּי׃
23
for I am mindful of all His rules;
I have not disregarded His laws.
23
For all His ordinances were before me, and I put not away His statutes from me.
כִּי כָל מִשְׁפָּטָיו לְנֶגְדִּי. תָּמִיד שַׂמְתִּים אוֹתָם לְנֶגֶד עֵינַי:
For all His ordinances were before me I always placed them before my eyes.
כ"ד
וָאֱהִ֣י תָמִ֣ים עִמּ֑וֹ וָ֝אֶשְׁתַּמֵּ֗ר מֵעֲוֺנִֽי׃
24
I have been blameless toward Him,
and have guarded myself against sinning;
24
And I was single-hearted with Him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.
כ"ה
וַיָּֽשֶׁב־יְהוָ֣ה לִ֣י כְצִדְקִ֑י כְּבֹ֥ר יָ֝דַ֗י לְנֶ֣גֶד עֵינָֽיו׃
25
and the LORD has requited me according to my merit,
the cleanness of my hands in His sight.
25
Therefore hath the LORD recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His eyes.
כ"ו
עִם־חָסִ֥יד תִּתְחַסָּ֑ד עִם־גְּבַ֥ר תָּ֝מִ֗ים תִּתַּמָּֽם׃
26
With the loyal, You deal loyally;
with the blameless man, blamelessly.
26
With the merciful Thou dost show Thyself merciful, with the upright man Thou dost show Thyself upright;
עִם חָסִיד תִּתְחַסָּד. כְּלוֹמַר: לְפִי שֶׁכֵּן דְּרָכָיו, לִגְמוֹל מִדָּה כְּנֶגֶד מִדָּה. חָסִיד, תָּמִים, נָבָר – כְּנֶגֶד שְׁלֹשָׁה אָבוֹת:
With a kind one, You show Yourself kind Because so are His ways, to pay a measure for a measure. Kind...sincere...pure, corresponding to the three patriarchs.
כ"ז
עִם־נָבָ֥ר תִּתְבָּרָ֑ר וְעִם־עִ֝קֵּ֗שׁ תִּתְפַּתָּֽל׃
27
With the pure, You act purely,
and with the perverse, You are wily.
27
With the pure Thou dost show Thyself pure; and with the crooked Thou dost show Thyself subtle.
עִם נָבָר. נֶאֱמָן:
With a pure one a faithful one.
עִם עִקֵּשׁ. כְּנֶגֶד פַּרְעֹה:
but with a crooked one alluding to Pharaoh.
כ"ח
כִּֽי־אַ֭תָּה עַם־עָנִ֣י תוֹשִׁ֑יעַ וְעֵינַ֖יִם רָמ֣וֹת תַּשְׁפִּֽיל׃
28
It is You who deliver lowly folk,
but haughty eyes You humble.
28
For Thou dost save the afflicted people; but the haughty eyes Thou dost humble.
כ"ט
כִּֽי־אַ֭תָּה תָּאִ֣יר נֵרִ֑י יְהוָ֥ה אֱ֝לֹהַ֗י יַגִּ֥יהַּ חָשְׁכִּֽי׃
29
It is You who light my lamp;
the LORD, my God, lights up my darkness.
29
For Thou dost light my lamp; the LORD my God doth lighten my darkness.
כִּי אַתָּה תָּאִיר נֵרִי. כְּשֶׁנִּלְחַם בַּלַּיְלָה בִּגְדוּד עֲמָלֵק הַבָּא עַל צִקְלַג, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וַיַּכֵּם דָּוִד מֵהַנֶּשֶׁף וְעַד הָעֶרֶב לְמָחֳרָתָם״ (שמואל א ל:יז):
For You light my lamp when he fought at night with the Amalekite troop that attacked Ziklag, as it is stated (in I Sam. 30:17): “And David smote them from evening until evening to their morrow.”
ל׳
כִּֽי־בְ֭ךָ אָרֻ֣ץ גְּד֑וּד וּ֝בֵֽאלֹהַ֗י אֲדַלֶּג־שֽׁוּר׃
30
With You, I can rush a barrier;
with my God I can scale a wall;
30
For by Thee I run upon a troop; and by my God do I scale a wall.
כִּי בְךָ. בְּמִבְטַחֲךָ:
For by You By Your assurance.
וּבֵאלֹהַי אֲדַלֶּג שׁוּר. כְּשֶׁבָּא לְהִלָּחֵם עַל יְבוּס וְאָמַר: ״כָּל מַכֵּה יְבוּסִי יִהְיֶה לְרֹאשׁ וּלְשַׂר״ (דברי הימים א יא:ו), הֵבִיא יוֹאָב בְּרוֹשׁ רַעֲנָן וּכּפָפוֹ, וְנִתְלָה בּוֹ וְעָלָה עַל הַחוֹמָה. אָמַר דָּוִד: ״יֶהֶלְמֵנִי צַדִּיק וְגוֹמֵר״ (תהלים קמא:ה), קִצֵּר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֶת הַחוֹמָה וְדִלֵּג. בְּמִדְרַשׁ תְּהִלִּים:
and by my God I scale a wall When he came to wage war against Jebus, and he said (in I Chron. 11:6): “Whoever smites the Jebusites, etc. shall be a leader and a prince.” Joab brought a green juniper tree, bent it over, suspended himself on it, and scaled the wall. Said David (in Ps. 141:5): “May a righteous man smite me with loving-kindness,” and the Holy one, blessed be He, lowered the wall, and he scaled it (Mid. Ps. 18:24).
ל"א
הָאֵל֮ תָּמִ֪ים דַּ֫רְכּ֥וֹ אִמְרַֽת־יְהוָ֥ה צְרוּפָ֑ה מָגֵ֥ן ה֝֗וּא לְכֹ֤ל ׀ הַחֹסִ֬ים בּֽוֹ׃
31
the way of God is perfect;
the word of the LORD is pure;
He is a shield to all who seek refuge in Him.
31
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield unto all them that take refuge in Him.
צְרוּפָה. בְּרוּרָה; מַבְטִיחַ וְעוֹשֶׂה:
refined Pure. He promises and He does.
ל"ב
כִּ֤י מִ֣י אֱ֭לוֹהַּ מִבַּלְעֲדֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וּמִ֥י צ֝֗וּר זוּלָתִ֥י אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ׃
32
Truly, who is a god except the LORD,
who is a rock but our God?—
32
For who is God, save the LORD? And who is a Rock, except our God?
ל"ג
הָ֭אֵל הַמְאַזְּרֵ֣נִי חָ֑יִל וַיִּתֵּ֖ן תָּמִ֣ים דַּרְכִּֽי׃
33
the God who girded me with might,
who made my way perfect;
33
The God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way straight;
וַיִּתֵּן תָּמִים דַּרְכִּי. הֵסִיר מִדְּרָכַי כָּל תַּקָּלָה וּמִכְשׁוֹל, עַד שֶׁנַּעֲשָׂה שָׁלֵם וְכָבוּשׁ:
and He makes my way perfect He removed all obstacles from my way until it became perfect and paved.
ל"ד
מְשַׁוֶּ֣ה רַ֭גְלַי כָּאַיָּל֑וֹת וְעַ֥ל בָּ֝מֹתַ֗י יַעֲמִידֵֽנִי׃
34
who made my legs like a deer’s,
and let me stand firm on the heights;
34
Who maketh my feet like hinds', and setteth me upon my high places;
מְשַׁוֶּה רַגְלַי כָּאַיָּלוֹת. רַגְלֵי הַנְּקֵבוֹת עוֹמְדוֹת בְּיֹשֶׁר יוֹתֵר מִשֶּׁל זְכָרִים:
He makes my feet like hinds The feet of the females stand straighter than those of the males.
ל"ה
מְלַמֵּ֣ד יָ֭דַי לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה וְֽנִחֲתָ֥ה קֶֽשֶׁת־נְ֝חוּשָׁ֗ה זְרוֹעֹתָֽי׃
35
who trained my hands for battle;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35
Who traineth my hands for war, so that mine arms do bend a bow of brass.
וְנִחֲתָה קֶשֶׁת נְחוּשָׁה זְרוֹעֹתָי. וְנִחֲתָה לְשׁוֹן דְּרִיכַת קֶשֶׁת, כְּמוֹ ״חִצֶּיךָ נִחֲתוּ בִי״ (תהלים לח:ג), וּפֹעַל שֶׁלּוֹ נָחַת וּכְשֶׁמִּתְפַּעֵל בָּא דָּגֵשׁ וּמְחַסֵּר אֶת הַנּוּ״ן וְנִחֲתָה מִגִּזְרַת נִנְחֲתָה כְּמוֹ ״נִחַר גְּרוֹנִי״ (תהלים סט:ד) מִגִּזְרַת נִנְחַר, כְּמוֹ ״נָחַר מַפֻּחַ״ (ירמיהו ו:כט) נִדַּף מִגִּזְרָה נִנְדַּף, ״עֵינִי נִגְּרָה״ (איכה ג:מט) כְּמוֹ נִנְגְּרָה, נִתְּנָה כְּמוֹ נִנְתְּנָה, נִגַּף מִגִּזְרַת נִנְגַּף. וְאֵין לְפוֹתְרוֹ מִגִּזְרַת חָתָה, שֶׁהָיָה לוֹ לוֹמַר נִחְתְּתָה כְּמוֹ מִן עָשָׂה נֶעֶשְׂתָה מִן עָנָה נַעֲנְתָה. דָּבָר אַחֵר: וְנִחֲתָה קֶשֶׁת נְחוּשָׁה זְרוֹעֹתָי חִיֵּת לְשׁוֹן דְּרִיכַת קֶשֶׁת כְּמוֹ ״חִצֶּיךָ נִחֲתוּ״ (תהלים לח:ג) הַנּוּ״ן אֵינָהּ יְסוֹד בַּתֵּבָה אֶלָּא כְּמוֹ נִחֲלוּ וְנִדְרְכָה קֶשֶׁת נְחוּשָׁה עַל יְדֵי זְרוֹעוֹתַי, קַשָּׁתוֹת שֶׁל נְחֹשֶׁת הָיוּ תְּלוּיוֹת לוֹ לְדָוִד בְּבֵיתוֹ וְרוֹאִין אוֹתָם מַלְכֵי הָאֻמּוֹת וְאוֹמְרִים זֶה לָזֶה אַתָּה סָבוּר שֶׁיֵּשׁ כֹּחַ בְּיַד דָּוִד לְדוֹרְכָן אֵין זֶה אֶלָּא לְיָרְאֵנוּ, וְהוּא הָיָה שׁוֹמֵעַ וְדוֹרְכָן בִּפְנֵיהֶם:
so that a copper bow is bent by my arms Heb. ונחתה, an expression of treading the bow, as (below 38:3): “Your arrows were driven (נחתו) into me.” Its radical [or its active voice] is נחת. When it is used in the passive voice, a dagesh comes and causes the “nun” to drop out. Hence נחתה is derived from ננחתה as (below 69:4): “My throat is dried (נחר),” derived from ננחר as (in Jer. 6:29): “The bellows is heated (נחר)”; נדף, rattling (in Lev. 26:36) is derived from ננדף ; “My eyes stream (נגרה)” (in Lam. 3:49), is like ננגרה ; “was given (נתנה)” (Gen. 38:14) is like ננתנה ; “they were smitten (נגף)” (II Sam. 10:15) is derived from ננגף. We cannot interpret it as being of the radical חתת, for then it would say נחתתה, as [it says] נעשתה, was done, from עשה ; נענתה, was answered, from ענה. Another explanation: and a copper bow is bent by my arms: חית is an expression of treading a bow, as (below 38:3): “Your arrows were driven (נחתו).” The “nun” is not of the radical but it is like נחלו “gave for inheritance” (in Jos. 14:1), and the copper bow was bent by my arms. Copper bows were hanging in David’s house. The kings of the nations would see them and say to each other, “Do you think that David has the strength to bend them? This is only to frighten us.” But he would hear [them] and bend the bows before them.
ל"ו
וַתִּתֶּן־לִי֮ מָגֵ֪ן יִ֫שְׁעֶ֥ךָ וִֽימִינְךָ֥ תִסְעָדֵ֑נִי וְֽעַנְוַתְךָ֥ תַרְבֵּֽנִי׃
36
You have given me the shield of Your protection;
Your right hand has sustained me,
Your care has made me great.
36
Thou hast also given me Thy shield of salvation, and Thy right hand hath holden me up; and Thy condescension hath made me great.
וְעַנְוַתְךָ תַרְבֵּנִי. הִרְבֵּיתָה מִדַּת עֲנָוְתְךָ לְהִתְנַהֵג בָּהּ עִמִּי:
and You have treated me with great humility You have dealt with me with great humility.
ל"ז
תַּרְחִ֣יב צַעֲדִ֣י תַחְתָּ֑י וְלֹ֥א מָ֝עֲד֗וּ קַרְסֻלָּֽי׃
37
You have let me stride on freely;
my feet have not slipped.
37
Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, and my feet have not slipped.
תַּרְחִיב צַעֲדִי תַחְתָּי. הַמַּרְחִיב צְעָדָיו אֵינוֹ נוֹחַ לִיפּוֹל, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר ״בְּלֶכְתְּךָ לֹא יֵצַר צַעֲדֶךָ״ (משלי ד:יב):
You have enlarged my step[s] beneath me One who widens his steps does not fall easily. Similarly, Scripture states (in Prov. 4:12): “When you walk, your steps will not be hampered (יצר) .”
מָעֲדוּ. אִיקְלוֹרְגִירִינְ״ט בְּלַעַ״ז:
slipped Heb. מעדו aluverjert in Old French, to slip.
קַרְסֻלָּי. הֵם הָרַגְלַיִם מִן הָאִסְתּוֹרִין, שֶׁקּוֹרִין קָבִילָ״א בְּלַעַ״ז, וּלְמַטָּה:
my ankles Heb. קרסלי. They are the feet from the ankle which is called keville (cheville) in Old Frenchand below [to the heel].
ל"ח
אֶרְדּ֣וֹף א֭וֹיְבַי וְאַשִּׂיגֵ֑ם וְלֹֽא־אָ֝שׁוּב עַד־כַּלּוֹתָֽם׃
38
I pursued my enemies and overtook them;
I did not turn back till I destroyed them.
38
I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them; neither did I turn back till they were consumed.
ל"ט
אֶ֭מְחָצֵם וְלֹא־יֻ֣כְלוּ ק֑וּם יִ֝פְּל֗וּ תַּ֣חַת רַגְלָֽי׃
39
I struck them down,
and they could rise no more;
they lay fallen at my feet.
39
I have smitten them through, so that they are not able to rise; they are fallen under my feet.
מ׳
וַתְּאַזְּרֵ֣נִי חַ֭יִל לַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה תַּכְרִ֖יעַ קָמַ֣י תַּחְתָּֽי׃
40
You have girded me with strength for battle,
brought my adversaries low before me,
40
For Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle; Thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.
מ"א
וְֽאֹיְבַ֗י נָתַ֣תָּה לִּ֣י עֹ֑רֶף וּ֝מְשַׂנְאַ֗י אַצְמִיתֵֽם׃
41
made my enemies turn tail before me;
I wiped out my foes.
41
Thou hast also made mine enemies turn their backs unto me, and I did cut off them that hate me.
נָתַתָּה לִּי עֹרֶף. פּוֹנִים לִי עָרְפָּם וּבוֹרְחִים:
You have given me the back of their necks They would turn the back of their necks to me and flee.
מ"ב
יְשַׁוְּע֥וּ וְאֵין־מוֹשִׁ֑יעַ עַל־יְ֝הוָ֗ה וְלֹ֣א עָנָֽם׃
42
They cried out, but there was none to deliver;
[cried] to the LORD, but He did not answer them.
42
They cried, but there was none to save; even unto the LORD, but He answered them not.
יְשַׁוְּעוּ. לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה שֶׁלָּהֶם:
They pray to their idols.
וְאֵין מוֹשִׁיעַ. שֶׁאֵין בָּהּ יְכֹלֶת, וְחוֹזְרִים וְקוֹרְאִים אֶל ה׳, וְלֹא עָנָם:
but no one saves them Because it [their prayer] has no power, and they return and call upon the Lord, but He does not answer them.
מ"ג
וְֽאֶשְׁחָקֵ֗ם כְּעָפָ֥ר עַל־פְּנֵי־ר֑וּחַ כְּטִ֖יט חוּצ֣וֹת אֲרִיקֵֽם׃
43
I ground them fine as windswept dust;
I trod them flat as dirt of the streets.
43
Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind; I did cast them out as the mire of the streets.
וְאֶשְׁחָקֵם. לְשׁוֹן כְּתִישָׁה:
Then I ground them Heb. ואשחקם, an expression of crushing.
אֲרִיקֵם. כְּטִיט הַנָּרוּק, שֶׁאֵינוֹ עָב. כְּמוֹ ״הֵם מְרִיקִים שַׂקֵּיהֶם״ (בראשית מב:לה), ״לֹא הוּרַק מִכְּלִי אֶל כֶּלִי״ (ירמיהו מח:יא):
I did pour them like loose mud, which is not thick, as (in Gen. 42:35): “when they emptied (מריקים) their sacks”; (in Jer. 48:11), “has not been poured (הורק) from one vessel to another vessel.”
מ"ד
תְּפַלְּטֵנִי֮ מֵרִ֪יבֵ֫י עָ֥ם תְּ֭שִׂימֵנִי לְרֹ֣אשׁ גּוֹיִ֑ם עַ֖ם לֹא־יָדַ֣עְתִּי יַֽעַבְדֽוּנִי׃
44
You have rescued me from the strife of people;
You have set me at the head of nations;
peoples I knew not must serve me.
44
Thou hast delivered me from the contentions of the people; Thou hast made me the head of the nations; a people whom I have not known serve me.
תְּפַלְּטֵנִי מֵרִיבֵי עָם. שֶׁלֹּא אֵעָנֵשׁ בְּדִין יִשְׂרָאֵל לְהַטּוֹת מִשְׁפָּט, וְלֹא לְשַׁעְבֵּד בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל יוֹתֵר מִן הָרְשׁוּת:
You allowed me to escape from the contenders of the people so that I should not be punished according to Jewish law, for perverting justice or for subjugating an Israelite more than is permitted.
תְּשִׂימֵנִי לְרֹאשׁ גּוֹיִם. שֶׁאֵין עֹנֶשׁ בָּהֶם:
You shall make me the head over nations for whom there is no punishment.
מ"ה
לְשֵׁ֣מַֽע אֹ֭זֶן יִשָּׁ֣מְעוּ לִ֑י בְּנֵֽי־נֵ֝כָ֗ר יְכַחֲשׁוּ־לִֽי׃
45
At the mere report of me they are submissive;
foreign peoples cower before me;
45
As soon as they hear of me, they obey me; The sons of the stranger dwindle away before me.
לְשֵׁמַע אֹזֶן. אֲפִילּוּ שֶׁלֹּא בְּפָנַי, אֶלָּא שֶׁיִּשְׁמְעוּ שְׁלִיחוּתִי:
As soon as they hear Even in my absence, as long as they hear my message.
יִשָּׁמְעוּ לִי. יָסוּרוּ אֶל מִשְׁמַעְתִּי, וְיִהְיוּ נִשְׁמָעִים לִדְבָרַי:
they shall obey me They shall give heed to my bidding and obey my orders.
יְכַחֲשׁוּ לִי. מֵחֲמַת יִרְאָה:
shall lie to me out of fright.
מ"ו
בְּנֵי־נֵכָ֥ר יִבֹּ֑לוּ וְ֝יַחְרְג֗וּ מִֽמִּסְגְּרֽוֹתֵיהֶֽם׃
46
foreign peoples lose courage,
and come trembling out of their strongholds.
46
The sons of the stranger fade away, and come trembling out of their close places.
יִבֹּלוּ. יִלְאוּ, כְּמוֹ ״נָבֹל תִּבֹּל״ (שמות יח:יח), דִּמְתַרְגֵּם ״מִילְאָה תִּילְאָה״. וּמְנַחֵם פֵּירֵשׁ כְּמוֹ ״אַחֲרֵי בְלֹתִי״ (בראשית יח:יב), וְכֵן פֵּירֵשׁ ״נָבֹל תִּבֹּל״:
shall wither Heb. יבלו. They shall become weary, as (in Exod. 18:18): “you shall surely wither (נבל תבל),” which the Targum renders: you shall surely weary. Menachem (Machbereth p. 45) explains it as (in Gen. 18:12): “after I have become old (בלתי),” and he explained נבל תבל in the same manner.
וְיַחְרְגוּ. לְשׁוֹן אֵימָה. ״מֵחֲדָרִים אֵימָה״ (דברים לב:כה) מְתַרְגְּמִינָן: ״חַרְגַּת מוֹתָא״:
and they shall fear Heb. ויחרגו, an expression of fear; (in Deut. 32:25) “and terror from within,” the Targum renders: חרגת, fear of death.
מִמִּסְגְּרוֹתֵיהֶם. מֵחֲמַת יִסּוּרֵי מַסְגְּרוֹת כֶּלֶא שֶׁאֲנִי מַסְגִּירָם שָׁם וּמְיַסְּרָן בָּהֶן. וְיַחְרְגוּ מִמִּסְגְּרוֹתֵיהֶם מְנַחֵם פָּתַר אוֹתוֹ לְשׁוֹן רִפְיוֹן חֲגוֹרָה, וְכֵן פֵּרוּשׁוֹ: וְיִתְרַפּוּ מִמִּסְגְּרוֹתֵיהֶם. וְדוּנָ״שׁ פָּתַר וְיַחְרְגוּ מִמִּסְגְּרוֹתֵיהֶם וְיִפְסְחוּ מִכַּבְלֵיהֶם הַנְּתוּנִים עַל רַגְלֵיהֶם. וּפִתְרוֹן וְיַחְרְגוּ ״וְיִפְסְחוּ״ (ויקרא כא:יח), כְּדִמְתַרְגְּמִינָן ״חֲגִירָא״:
their imprisonments Because of the tortures of the imprisonments in the dungeon where I imprison them and where they torture them. Menachem (p. 94) interprets it as an expression of loosening the girdle, and so he explains it: and they will be loosened of their girdles [meaning they will be frightened or weakened]. Dunash interprets ויחגרו ממסגרותיהם, and they will be lamed from their shackles, which are placed on their feet. The meaning of ויחגרו is: they will become lame, as the Aramaic for a lame person is חגר.
מ"ז
חַי־יְ֭הוָה וּבָר֣וּךְ צוּרִ֑י וְ֝יָר֗וּם אֱלוֹהֵ֥י יִשְׁעִֽי׃
47
The LORD lives! Blessed is my rock!
Exalted be God, my deliverer,
47
The LORD liveth, and blessed be my Rock; and exalted be the God of my salvation;
חַי ה׳. הָעוֹשֶׂה לִי כָּל זֹאת:
The Lord lives He Who does all this for me.
מ"ח
הָאֵ֗ל הַנּוֹתֵ֣ן נְקָמ֣וֹת לִ֑י וַיַּדְבֵּ֖ר עַמִּ֣ים תַּחְתָּֽי׃
48
the God who has vindicated me
and made peoples subject to me,
48
Even the God that executeth vengeance for me, and subdueth peoples under me.
הַנּוֹתֵן נְקָמוֹת לִי. נוֹתֵן בִּי כֹּחַ לְהִנָּקֵם מֵאוֹיְבַי:
Who grants me vengeance Who gives me strength to avenge myself upon my enemies.
וַיַּדְבֵּר. וְיַהֲרֹג, לְשׁוֹן דֶּבֶר. לָשׁוֹן אַחֵר: כְּמוֹ ״וַיִּנְהַג״ (שמות ג:א), דִּמְתַרְגְּמִינַן: ״וּדְבַר״. וְכֵן חִבְּרוֹ מְנַחֵם, וְגַם כֵּן חִבֵּר ״יַדְבֵּר עַמִּים תַּחְתֵּינוּ״ (תהלים מז:ד):
and destroys Heb. וידבר, and He slew, an expression of דבר, pestilence. Another explanation: as (in Exod. 3:1): “and he led (וינהג),” which is translated into Aramaic as וּדְבַר. Menachem (p. 61) too associated it in this manner. Likewise, he associated (below 47:4), “He leads (יַדְבֵּר) peoples under us.”
תַּחְתָּי. בִּמְקוֹמִי וְחִלּוּפִי, כְּעִנְיָן שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וָאֶתֵּן אָדָם תַּחְתֶּיךָ״ (ישעיהו מג:ד) – ״נָתַתִּי כָפְרְךָ מִצְרַיִם״ (ישעיהו מג:ג):
instead of me Heb. תחתי, in my place and in my stead, as the matter is stated (in Isa. 43:4): “and I give men in your stead (תחתיך), (verse 3), “I have given Egypt as your ransom. [Cush and Seba in your stead (תחתיך)].”
מ"ט
מְפַלְּטִ֗י מֵאֹ֫יְבָ֥י אַ֣ף מִן־קָ֭מַי תְּרוֹמְמֵ֑נִי מֵאִ֥ישׁ חָ֝מָ֗ס תַּצִּילֵֽנִי׃
49
who rescued me from my enemies,
who raised me clear of my adversaries,
saved me from lawless men.
49
He delivereth me from mine enemies; yea, Thou liftest me up above them that rise up against me; Thou deliverest me from the violent man.
נ׳
עַל־כֵּ֤ן ׀ אוֹדְךָ֖ בַגּוֹיִ֥ם ׀ יְהוָ֑ה וּלְשִׁמְךָ֥ אֲזַמֵּֽרָה׃
50
For this I sing Your praise among the nations, LORD,
and hymn Your name:
50
Therefore I will give thanks unto Thee, O LORD, among the nations, and will sing praises unto Thy name.
נ"א
מגדל [מַגְדִּיל֮] יְשׁוּע֪וֹת מַ֫לְכּ֥וֹ וְעֹ֤שֶׂה חֶ֨סֶד ׀ לִמְשִׁיח֗וֹ לְדָוִ֥ד וּלְזַרְע֗וֹ עַד־עוֹלָֽם׃
51
He accords great victories to His king,
keeps faith with His anointed,
with David and his offspring forever.
51
Great salvation giveth He to His king; and showeth mercy to His anointed, To David and to his seed, for evermore.