שִׁ֗יר הַֽמַּ֫עֲל֥וֹת אֶל־יְ֭הוָה בַּצָּרָ֣תָה לִּ֑י קָ֝רָ֗אתִי וַֽיַּעֲנֵֽנִי׃
Cantique des degrés. Vers l’Éternel j’ai crié dans ma détresse, et il m’a exaucé.
Bamidbar Rabbah
“The Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying” (Numbers 2:1).
“The Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying.” In eighteen places you find Moses and Aaron as equals, corresponding to the eighteen blessings. The three patriarchs, from there you find a fixed obligation that one prays three times daily. Abraham instituted the morning prayer, as it is stated: “Abraham arose early in the morning [to the place where he had stood before the Lord]” (Genesis 19:27). Standing is nothing other than prayer, as it is stated: “Pinḥas stood and prayed” (Psalms 106:30). Isaac instituted the afternoon prayer, as it is stated: “Isaac went out to stroll [lasuaḥ]” (Genesis 24:63). Siḥa is nothing other than prayer, as it is stated: “The prayer of a poor man when he is faint [and pours out his plea [siḥo] before the Lord]” (Psalms 102:1). Jacob instituted the evening prayer, as it is stated: “He encountered [vayifga] the place…” (Genesis 28:11). Pegia is nothing other than prayer, as it is stated: “And you, do not pray on behalf of this people…[and do not plead [tifga] with Me]” (Jeremiah 7:16). In eighteen places Moses and Aaron are paired.
An allusion to the eighteen blessings; they correspond to the eighteen mentions of God’s name that are written in Shema Yisrael and in: “A psalm by David. Give to the Lord, sons of the mighty” (Psalms 29:1). The three patriarchs instituted that one prays three times daily, and Moses and Aaron [are paired in eighteen places], and from these eighteen mentions of God’s name we derived eighteen blessings.
“The Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying.” In eighteen places you find Moses and Aaron as equals, corresponding to the eighteen blessings. The three patriarchs, from there you find a fixed obligation that one prays three times daily. Abraham instituted the morning prayer, as it is stated: “Abraham arose early in the morning [to the place where he had stood before the Lord]” (Genesis 19:27). Standing is nothing other than prayer, as it is stated: “Pinḥas stood and prayed” (Psalms 106:30). Isaac instituted the afternoon prayer, as it is stated: “Isaac went out to stroll [lasuaḥ]” (Genesis 24:63). Siḥa is nothing other than prayer, as it is stated: “The prayer of a poor man when he is faint [and pours out his plea [siḥo] before the Lord]” (Psalms 102:1). Jacob instituted the evening prayer, as it is stated: “He encountered [vayifga] the place…” (Genesis 28:11). Pegia is nothing other than prayer, as it is stated: “And you, do not pray on behalf of this people…[and do not plead [tifga] with Me]” (Jeremiah 7:16). In eighteen places Moses and Aaron are paired.
An allusion to the eighteen blessings; they correspond to the eighteen mentions of God’s name that are written in Shema Yisrael and in: “A psalm by David. Give to the Lord, sons of the mighty” (Psalms 29:1). The three patriarchs instituted that one prays three times daily, and Moses and Aaron [are paired in eighteen places], and from these eighteen mentions of God’s name we derived eighteen blessings.
Midrash Tehillim
Psalm of Ascents to the Lord in its distress. Jeremiah said (Jeremiah 20:13) "Sing to the Lord, praise the Lord". Why and for what reason? Because He saved the soul of the poor from the hands of the wicked. When the Lord redeemed Israel, not only did they give thanks, but everyone gave thanks. First, He redeemed them from Egypt and Jethro praised Him, as it is said (Exodus 18:9-11) "Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness that the Lord had done to Israel, whom He had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians...Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods". Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were rescued from the furnace, and everyone praised Him, as it is said (Daniel 3:28) "Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, 'Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him'". This is true for the past and the future, when they emerge from distress and exile, they say praises, as it is said, "Psalm of Ascents". It is not written here "Psalm of Ascent", but "Psalm of Ascents". When Israel ascends, they do not ascend one ascent, but many ascents. As it is said (Deuteronomy 28:13) "You shall ascend higher and higher". And it is written (Song of Songs 3:6) "Who is this coming up from the wilderness, like columns of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense?". And when they descend, they do not descend one descent, but (Deuteronomy 28:43) "You shall come down lower and lower". And it is said (Lamentations 2:1) "He cast down from heaven to earth". And when they ascend ascents, they ascend in praise, therefore it is said "Psalm of Ascents"....