Salmi 94:17 Cabala: Zohar & Reshit Chokhmah

Concerning this David said, "Unless Hashem had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence (Heb. דּוּמָה)" (Ps. 94:17). "Unless Hashem had been my help" that had He not become David's keeper and guarded him David's "soul had almost dwelt with Dumah." Why does he say "had almost?" Because only the smallest distance, as narrow as a thin thread separated him from the Other Side. So "almost dwelt with Dumah." Was just the distance of a thin thread away.

Also regarding one who protects his Brit and the punishment of one who damages it, it says in the Zohar in Lech Lecha: 404. Another continued the discussion with the verse, “Unless Hashem had been my help, my soul had soon dwelt in silence (Heb. Dumah)” (Tehilim 94:17). We have learned why Yisrael are saved from going down to Gehenom, unlike idol-worshipping nations, and are not handed over to the hands of Dumah, WHO IS THE GOVERNOR OF GEHENOM. They have merit because of the sign OF THE COVENANT. 405. Because we have learned that when a person passes from this world, hoards of Klipot fall upon him TO HURT HIM. But when they hold up their eyes and see this sign, which is the sacred covenant, they leave him and he is not handed over to the hands of Dumah to be taken down to Gehenom. Whoever is handed over to his hands shall definitely go down to Gehenom. 406. The upper and lower beings are afraid of this sign and do not inflict evil Judgments on the man who preserves it, because, by doing so, he becomes united with the Name of the Holy One, blessed be He. 407. Because David did not preserve this sign of the covenant as he should have, kingship was taken away from him and he was banished from Jerusalem. He was afraid that he would immediately be brought down to be handed over to Dumah and that he would die in the World of Truth WITHOUT MERITING SPIRITUAL LIFE. Then he was given the good news. As it is written: “Hashem also has commuted your sin, you shall not die” (II Shmuel 12:13). At that very moment he exclaimed, “Unless Hashem had been my help, my soul had soon dwelt in silence (Dumah),” MEANING THAT HE WOULD HAVE BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE ANGEL DUMAH.