Musar su Salmi 25:1

Now let us discuss prayer. It is well known that Dovid HaMelech was known as the “singer of pleasant songs” and that he was a master of prayer. Therefore, as the Zohar teaches in Parashas Balak (195a), we must derive the proper order and content of our prayers from him. We find that Dovid sometimes counts himself among the “servants,” as it is written, “Look, as the eyes of servants look towards the hand of their master, etc.” (Tehillim 123:2). Sometimes among the poor, as it is written, “Hashem, incline Your ear and answer me, for I am poor and needy” (Tehillim 86:1). Sometimes among the pious, as it is written, “Of Dovid, guard my soul for I am pious” (ibid. 2). And sometimes he identifies himself with the holy ones who sacrifice their lives for the sanctification of Hashem’s name, as it is written, “Of Dovid; to You, Hashem, I lift up my soul, etc.” (Tehillim 25:1).

Come see what is stated in the Zohar, Parashas Lech Lecha (86b-88a): Rabbi Elazar went to visit his father-in-law, accompanied by Rabbi Chiya, Rabbi Yose and Rabbi Chizkiyah. Rabbi Elazar said, “I see that there is never an arousal from above without an arousal from below.” What he meant was that they must begin by engrossing themselves in the commandments with affection and then the Shechinah would come and spread its wings over them. Therefore they immersed themselves in a discussion of Torah. While they were walking they encountered Rabbi Yeisa, accompanied by another Jew. The Jew began a discourse, “It is stated, ‘Of David, to You, Hashem, I lift up my soul’ (Tehillim 25:1). Why is it not stated, ‘A song of David’? It is because he was actually referring to the spiritual level known as ‘David.’ His intention was to elevate his soul to the place of supernal holiness that is its source.” Rabbi Elazar said to Rabbi Yeisa, “I see that you have come accompanied by the Shechinah…” Rabbi Elazar asked the Jew, “What is you name?” “Yo’ezer,” he replied. “The names ‘Yo’ezer’ and ‘Elazar’ have the same meaning,” Rabbi Elazar observed. They sat down together beside a boulder and the fellow named Yo’ezer revealed to them a number of Torah insights. Then Rabbi Elazar said, “What is your trade?” “I was a teacher of children in my town, but now Rabbi Yeisa from the village of Chanan has come to my town and they took the youths away from me and seated them with him. The people of my town continued to give me my salary just as in the time that the children were with me but I reflected that it was not fitting for me to recei‘ve this benefit for nothing. So I hired myself out to accompany this scholar.”