Midras Yesaya 38:14: Midrash Tehillim

Another thing is what the scripture says (Proverbs 12:1): "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge." There are four who were punished. One was punished and kicked. This was Job, who was punished and kicked. Likewise, it says (Job 10:2): "Let me know why You contend with me. Is it right for You to oppress me?" I know that You have the power, and You do as You please. (Job 34:30) "That the godless man should not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people." This was punished and kicked. The second was punished and played with. This was Abraham, as it says (Genesis 17:17) "Then Abraham fell upon his face and laughed, and said in his heart, 'Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?'" And why was Abraham similar to a king who swore to hit his son and said to him, "My son, I have sworn to hit you"? The son replied, "The power is in your hand." He hit him and thought that his son would say "Enough," but once he hit him, the father said, "Enough, I have hit him." Similarly, (Genesis 17:1) "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, 'I am El Shaddai; walk before Me and be blameless.'" I have hit him enough. The third was punished and asked his beloved not to hit him. This was Hezekiah, as it says (Isaiah 38:2) "Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, and said..." Rabbi Nathan said: He was also punished and kicked, as it says (Isaiah 14:31) "Wail, O gate! Cry, O city! Melt away, O Philistia, all of you! For smoke comes out of the north, and there is no straggler in his ranks." This tells us that his blows were as severe as those of Job. In Job it is written (Job 19:20) "My bones cling to my skin and to my flesh, and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth." And in Hezekiah, it is written (Isaiah 38:13) "I composed my soul as a weaned child. Like a weaned child on its mother's lap, so is my soul within me." This tells us that even the skin of his teeth was taken away. The fourth said, "Why is the strap hanging? Direct me with it." This was David, as it says to David, "Judge me, O LORD." And likewise, Solomon says (Proverbs 12:1) "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge." And David also says (Psalm 94:12) "Blessed is the man whom You discipline, O LORD."

“For the conductor, a psalm of David, a song. Silence is praise to You, O God in Zion…” (Psalms 65:1-2) This is what Scripture says “I was silent from time immemorial; I am still, I restrain Myself. Like a travailing woman will I cry…” (Isaiah 42:14) And it says “Concerning these will You restrain Yourself, oh Lord…”(Isaiah 64:11) He said to them “I have no wrath…” the aspect of judgment dictates that I stay silent, “…would that I were thorns and brier in war!” (Isaiah 27:4) Thus said the Holy One: I am able to act, but the aspect of judgment constrains Me to silence. This is why it says ‘silence is praise to You’. You are able to hold silent and everyone praises You for being silent for that which was done to You in Zion and for the voice that was raised against Your Sanctuary, as it says “…they raised a clamor in the House of the Lord, as on a day of a festival.” (Lamentations 2:7) What voice did they raise? They said “Our hand was triumphant!” (Deuteronomy 32:27) and “Then He will say, "Where is their deity, the rock in which they trusted.” (Deuteronomy 32:37) This is ‘silence is praise to You’. You are silent and I am silent, as it says “Sit silent for the Lord and hope for Him…” (Psalms 37:7)

"I have done justice and righteousness; do not leave me to my oppressors." Isaiah said, "Zion shall be redeemed with justice." The Lord said, "If Israel does justice and righteousness, they shall be redeemed immediately." Furthermore, I will punish their enemies, as it is written, "Zion shall be redeemed with justice." What is written after that? "But transgressors and sinners shall be destroyed." David also said, "They shall be redeemed with justice." And he also said, "Keep justice and do righteousness." Thus, Israel said, "We did not act as our forefather Abraham did with his guarantee, as it is written, 'For I have known him, that he will command his children.'" We made our guarantee, so you should make yours. Guarantee the welfare of your servant. What is the guarantee of your servant? That I will not descend into Gehenna (Hell); if you do not guarantee me, who will guarantee me?" Likewise, Hezekiah said (Isaiah 38:14), "Like a twittering swallow, like a crane, so I chirp; I moan like a dove; my eyes are raised on high." And Job also said (Job 17:3), "Please put up collateral for me with yourself; who is there that will shake hands with me?" Job meant that if it were money, silver, gold, or shoes, he would put them up as collateral, but who can put up their soul as collateral, or who would give their soul for the sake of their friend? Who can put up collateral for me if I have no one to do so? Therefore it is said, "Pledge Yourself on behalf of Your servant for good" (Psalms 119:122), meaning that I will do Your will and You will bring me good and not let the wicked oppress me. "My eyes fail from looking for Your salvation" (Psalms 119:82). To which statement did You say to Israel, "When you walk through fire, you shall not be scorched" (Isaiah 43:2)? Why? "For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior" (Isaiah 43:3). And it is written, "I will save My flock" (Ezekiel 34:22). Save us as You have promised (Psalms 119:82). Perhaps You desire good deeds from us? We have no merit or good deeds of our own. You have done kindness with us, as it is said, "Do with Your servant according to Your kindness" (Psalms 119:124). The first ones whom You redeemed were not redeemed through their own deeds but You did kindness with them and redeemed them. And so it is written, "You have led with Your kindness" (Exodus 15:13). Just as You did with the first ones, do with us. Therefore it is said, "Do with Your servant according to Your kindness."