Be gracious to me, HaShem! Be gracious to me! For my soul takes refuge in You, and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge - until the troubles pass by.

 

In mortal danger, King David cries out to HaShem for deliverance from Saul, his pursuer. Just as a person who is crying out to be saved from a life-threatening danger repeats his plea, i.e., "Help! Help!" - so too, David calls out two times, "Be gracious to me! Be gracious to me!"

 

In addition, his double plea refers to two different heartfelt requests. That is, he begs HaShem, "Let Saul not kill me!" and subsequently he pleads, "Save me from killing Saul!"

 

He realizes that, save the mercy of HaShem, there is no escape from his hapless predicament. Therefore, he states, "for my soul takes refuge in You and in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge."

 

Furthermore, he is crushed by his awesome troubles with an intensity that is beyond the capacity of human nature to endure. Therefore, he places his entire focus on coming close to the mercy of HaShem and His sure protection. In this way, he detaches himself from the unbearable pains that have come upon him. Even more, despite his plight, he is absolutely confident that HaShem will grant him relief and refuge, as implied in his words "until the troubles pass by."

 

When troubles converged on David from every direction, threatening his well-being in this world as well as his share in The World to Come, David bonded himself to HaShem. In light of this, his very troubles propelled him to seek and come closer to HaShem, his only sanctuary.

 

May HaShem bless all of us with a peaceful life. In the event that we do experience stressful times, King David illuminates our path. If we will but turn our hearts to HaShem in sincere prayer, He will protect and rescue us from all of our difficulties.

 

[Based on the commentaries of Rashi and the Radak to Tehillim]

 

 

Copyright © 2008 Rabbi Zvi Miller and the Salant Foundation