Midrash su Salmi 9:21

R. Illai b. Barachia said: "Were it not for the prayer of David all Israel would have been cheap peddlers, as it is said (Ps. 9, 21) Place, O Lord, fear over them; let nations know that they are but mortals, Selah." R. Illai b. Barachia said further: "Were it not for the prayer of Chabakuk the prophet, two scholars would have been compelled to cover themselves with one cloak and study the Torah, as it is written (Hab. 3, 2) O Lord, I have heard Thy fame and was afraid; O Lord, my work — in the midst of the years of sorrow revive Thou it. Do not read in the midst of the years, but in the midst of two.'" R. Illai b. Barachia said further: "Two scholars who walk on the road without discussing the words of the Torah deserve to be burned, as it is said (II Kings 2, 11) And it came to pass, as they went on speaking, as they were going, that behold, there came a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by storm and wind to heaven, etc. The reason for their not being burnt is because they were going and speaking, hence if they would not have been speaking they would have been burned." R. Illai b. Baracha said further: "Two scholars who live in one town and are not fond of discussing Halacha one will die and the other will be exiled, as it is said (Deut. 4, 42) That thither might flee the man-slayer, who should kill his neighbor without knowledge, and the word unawares applies to nothing else but the Torah, as it is said (Hos. 4, 6) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." R. Juda, the son of R. Chiya said: 'Whoever studies the Torah while in state of poverty, his prayers will be answered, as it is said (Is. 30; 19) For all people of Zion that shall dwell in Jerusalem! Thou shalt indeed not weep; He will be surely gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry, etc. Immediately after this, it is written, And the Lord will give you bread in adversity, and water in oppression." R. Acha b. Chanina says: "For such a man even the court of Heaven is not shut up, as it is said in the above passage. And thy teachers shall not have to hide themselves in a corner any more." R. Abahu said: "Such an action will even be rewarded to receive the Divine presence, as it is said in the same passage, But thy eyes shall see thy teachers."

(Exod. 9:13–14:) THEN THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES: GO EARLY IN THE MORNING TO PRESENT YOURSELF BEFORE PHARAOH; <AND SAY UNTO HIM: THUS SAYS THE LORD,>… < LET MY PEOPLE GO TO WORSHIP ME.> FOR THIS TIME <I WILL SEND ALL MY PLAGUES UPON YOUR HEART>….⁸⁹There is some confusion whether this section began with 8:16 or 9:13. The verses are almost identical. See Jacob Mann, The Bible as Read and Preached in the Old Synagogue, Vol. I (Ktav, 1971), pp. 396–398. This text is related (to Ps. 9:21 [20]): PUT MORAH INTO THEM, O LORD; <LET THE NATIONS KNOW THAT THEY ARE ONLY HUMAN. SELAH>. Turn their faces red. What is the meaning of MORAH? He caused the spirit of folly to enter them.⁹⁰The midrash understands MORAH as coming from the Greek moros, which does mean fool. In Hebrew MORAH usually means “teaching authority”, “fear,” or “razor.” Another interpretation (of Ps. 9:21 [20]): PUT MORAH INTO THEM, O LORD. Because they are acquiring lordship (mariyyut) for themselves, make known to them that you are Lord (Adon) over all of them. PUT MORAH INTO THEM, O LORD; LET THE NATIONS KNOW THAT THEY ARE ONLY HUMAN.⁹¹The Hebrew wording here differs slightly from the Masoretic Text, perhaps to bring out its meaning more clearly. Now they were making themselves into deities. Hiram king of Tyre made himself into a deity, as stated (in Ezek. 28:2): BECAUSE YOUR HEART IS PROUD, YOU HAVE SAID: I AM A GOD.⁹²Mekhilta de Rabbi Ishmael, Shirata 1; Gen. R. 9:5; 96:5; Exod. R. 8:2. The Holy One informed him that he was mortal, as stated (in Ezek. 28:17): I HAVE CAST YOU UNTO THE GROUND; I HAVE SET YOU BEFORE KINGS FOR THEM TO STARE AT YOU. The Holy One informed him that he was flesh and blood. Ergo (in Ps. 9:21 [20]): LET THE NATIONS KNOW THAT THEY ARE ONLY HUMAN. SELAH.

Joash also made himself into a deity, as stated (in II Chron. 24:17): [NOW] AFTER THE DEATH OF JEHOIADA {THE PRIEST}, <THE PRINCES OF JUDAH CAME AND BOWED LOW TO THE KING.>. They said to him: You are a deity. Were you not a deity, you would not have spent six years in the Holy of Holies (II Chron. 22:12). The High Priest would only enter there one time (each year), and everyone would pray for him to enter in peace. Now you have remained there six years. Were you not a deity, you would not have lived. At that time he accepted < this ascription> from them, as stated (in II Chron. 24:17, cont.): THEN THE KING HEARKENED UNTO THEM. Immediately the Holy One informed him that he was flesh and blood. What is written (in vs. 24)? SO THEY INFLICTED JUDGMENTS ON JOASH. Ergo (in Ps. 9:21 [20]): LET THE NATIONS KNOW THAT THEY ARE ONLY HUMAN. SELAH.