Les Psaumes 34:4 Midrash : Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition), Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael & Aggadat Bereshit

(Fol. 45a) When three men [over thirteen years of age] dine together [on food which requires previous thereto the washing of the hands], they are bound to say the after-meal grace in Mezuman (in company), etc. (Gemara) whence do we infer this? R. Assi said: "Scripture says (Ps. 34, 4.) Oh, you magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." R. Abuhu said: "We infer from this. (Deu. 32, 3.) When I will proclaim the name of the Lord; ascribe ye greatness to our God." R. Chanan b. Abba said: "Whence do we infer that a man shall not answer Amen louder than the one that says the benedictions? It is said (Ps. 34, 4.) Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." R. Simon b. Pazi said: "Whence do we infer that the Methurgeman (Interpreter) shall not raise his voice louder than the reader? It is said (Ex. 19, 19.) Moses spoke and God answered him with a loud voice; it was not necessary to say with a loud voice, and what is intimated by saying a loud voice? Just as loud as the voice of Moses." We have also a Baraitha to the same effect: "The Methurgeman shall not raise his voice louder than the reader. If the Methurgeman cannot raise his voice equal to that of the reader, then the reader should lower his voice [in order that the Methurgeman should be heard]."

R. Chanina, the son of the brother of R. Yehoshua says: It is written (Devarim 32:3) "When I call upon the name of the L–rd" — the blesser; "give grandeur to our G–d" — the answerers. And what do they answer? "Blessed is the L–rd who is blessed forever." And when he mentions His name, they respond "Blessed is the name of the glory of His kingdom forever." And thus did David say (Psalms 34:4) "Exalt the L–rd with me, and let us extol His name forever."

[3] Another interpretation: "'For the Lord has visited' (Genesis 50:24) refers to Pharaoh the First, as it says, 'And the Lord struck Pharaoh' (Genesis 12:17). 'And I have brought down the high tree' (Ezekiel 17:24) refers to Abraham, who was raised up, as it says, 'Listen to me, my lord' (Genesis 23:8). 'I have dried up the green tree' (Ezekiel 17:24) refers to Abimelech, as it says, 'For the Lord had completely stopped up' (Genesis 20:18). 'I have made the dry tree flourish' (Ezekiel 17:24) refers to Sarah. 'I am the Lord, I have spoken and I will do it' (Ezekiel 17:24). 'And the Lord visited Sarah' (Genesis 21:1). 'And all the trees of the field shall know' (Ezekiel 17:24) refers to Samuel, as it says, 'And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew' (1 Samuel 3:20). 'I have brought down the high tree' (Ezekiel 17:24) refers to the sons of Eli, as it says, 'On the same day both of them died' (1 Samuel 4:17). 'I have made the low tree high' (Ezekiel 17:24) refers to Samuel, as it says, 'And the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord' (1 Samuel 3:1). And it also says, 'And the boy Samuel continued to grow and become better' (1 Samuel 2:26). Concerning him it is said, 'He will find favor and good understanding' (Proverbs 3:4). "Another interpretation is that 'I have made the low tree high' (Ezekiel 17:24) refers to Hannah. 'I have dried up the green tree' (Ezekiel 17:24) refers to Peninah, as it is written, 'But she had no children and was miserable' (1 Samuel 2:5). 'I have made the dry tree flourish' (Ezekiel 17:24) refers to Hannah, as it says, 'For the Lord had visited Hannah' (1 Samuel 2:21). 'And the boy Samuel continued to grow with the Lord' (1 Samuel 2:21). David said, 'Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together' (Psalms 34:4)."