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| Chapter 4 |
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1. To the conductor with melodies, a song of David.
2. When I call, answer me, O God of my righteousness; in my distress You have relieved me, be gracious to me and hearken to my prayer.
3. Sons of man, how long will my honor be disgraced? [How long] will you love futility? [How long] will you constantly seek lies?
4. You shall know that the Lord has set apart the pious man for Himself; the Lord shall hear when I call out to Him.
5. Quake and do not sin; say [this] in your heart on your bed and be forever silent.
6. Offer up sacrifices of righteousness and trust in the Lord.
7. Many say, "Who will show us goodness?" Raise up over us the light of Your countenance, O Lord.
8. You gave joy into my heart from the time that their corn and their wine increased.
9. In peace together, I would lie down and sleep, for You, O Lord, would make me dwell alone in safety.
| Commentry"For the conductor on the neginot, a psalm by David,
my G-d who vindicates me when I call, answer me.
You brought me relief when I was distressed;
be gracious to me and hear my prayer..."
"...I will lie down and sleep in peace and in harmony,
for it is only You Hashem, who enables me to dwell securely."
"B'Shalom yachdav eshk'vah v'iyshan
ki Ata Hashem l'vadad lavetach toshiyveyni."
The psalmist calls to Hashem and knows that Hashem will answer. Hashem who has "brought me relief when I was distressed; be gracious to me and hear my prayer..." .
The Tehillim begins with the awareness that Hashem has been there during the difficult times. He has brought relief. He hears my prayers and answers my prayers. I am called upon to offer sacrifices and put my trust in Hashem. The level of trust and faith increases further as the psalmist then concludes:
"I will lie down and sleep in peace and in harmony, for it is only You, Hashem, who enables me to dwell securely."
What does it mean to "sleep" ?
Sleep has been considered as one-sixtieth death, according to the Talmud, since we are not conscious and aware of our physical surroundings.
Sleep has been compared to the galus (exile), according to the Kabala, since during sleep, as during the exile, we are not able to see Godliness in the world, light is hidden from our eyes.
According to scientific discoveries, the reticular activating system, is responsible for the transition from sleep to wakefulness. However, science does not yet understand what sleep is,why we need it or how it works.
The "spiritual" aspect of sleep is revealed in the Modei Ani prayer recited upon awakening - "I am thankful before You, King of life, who has returned my soul to me." The soul during sleep has loosened its bonds with the body. It is free to dwell in higher realms. Sleep is a miraculous occurrence. It was in a dream state that the ladder was revealed to Yaakov Avinu (Jacob). It was from a dream state that Ezekiel wrote of his visions.
"...for it only You Hashem, who enables me to dwell securely."
The first sentence in the Torah "In the beginning, Hashem creates the heavens and the earth" teaches that Hashem creates the world continually, moment by moment. (according to Baal Shem Tov). Thus we learn that we are enabled to dwell securely in the moment to moment creation of the miraculous world we live in.
When we make the transition from what we see and hear with our physical senses to the mysterious state of sleep, as we "fall into sleep" each evening we are journeying beyond our understanding. Yet with the awareness that Hashem hears and answers my prayers and continually creates the worlds for my body and my soul to dwell, there, like a comfortable pillow, "I will lie down and sleep in peace and in harmony..."
by Rachel Tara bas Tsiporah
www.psalmsonline.org
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