לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד׃
Per il leader. Un salmo di David.
Siddur Sefard
In this psalm, David sings the praises of the Torah. The Kuzari notes that even though the skies “proclaim God's glory” and the Psalmist describes the sun so glowingly, David nevertheless concludes that in comparison to the Torah they are insignificant.
To the Chief Musician, a Psalm of David. The skies recount the glory of the Almighty, and His handiwork is related by the firmament.33 שָׁמַיִם , skies, refers to the heavenly regions beyond earth’s atmosphere, where the stars and planets orbit. רָקִיעַ , firmament, refers to the earth’s atmosphere where clouds form, and precipitation takes place. The verb לְסַפֵּר means to recount something which occurred in the past. Thus the stars and planets in the שָׁמַיִם recount the fact that long ago God created a glorious universe. The רָקִיעַ , on the other hand, relates that God’s handiwork is evidenced in the constant formation of clouds and in the precipitation of rain. The firmament enables man to recognize the constant renewal of God’s providence.— Malbim Day to day makes speech flow,34Daily renewal of the activities of creation, beginning with sunrise, stir mankind to proclaim God’s praises.—Rashi and night to night expresses wisdom.35Night after night the sun sets beneath the horizon only to rise and set again the following day. This unchanging pattern is evidence of the Divine wisdom implanted in God’s creation.—Rashi There is no speech, and there are no words; their voice is never heard.36Though the heavens have no means of verbal communication, the soul of man, with its sensitivity and perception, can understand their message clearly.—Ibn Ezra Throughout the earth, their line extends, and to the edge of the inhabited world their words, for the sun He has set a tent in their midst.37God provided the sun a permanent residence in the heavens. David describes this point to which the sun returns daily as its ‘tent’—its residence in the sky.—Metsudas Yehoshua And it [the sun] is like a groom departing his bridal chamber,38When the groom steps out of the bridal chamber, everyone rushes to greet him with great joy. Analogously, when the sun rises each day, all of creation rejoices.—Radak happy as a warrior to run on course.39A warrior is happy for the opportunity to go into battle because he has confidence in his skill and strength. Similarly, the sun rejoices knowing it will serve its Creator’s goals by running its course.—Metsudas Dovid. From one end of the skies is its rising and its circuit is to their [other] end; there is no escaping its heat. The Torah of Adonoy, is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of Adonoy, is trustworthy, making wise the simple [man]. The precepts of Adonoy, are upright, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of Adonoy, is lucid, enlightening the eyes.40Every command of God is flawless, lighting the way for those who walk in His way. Those who ignore His commands stumble in darkness.— Radak The fear of Adonoy, is pure, it endures forever; the judgments of Adonoy, are true, they are righteous in unison.41They are all in total harmony. There is no contradiction between them.—Ibn Ezra More desirable than gold, even more than quantities of fine gold;42 פָּז is the purest form of refined gold. and sweeter than honey, or the drippings of honeycombs. Even Your servant is careful of them, since they guard43Because the Divine reward is contingent on fulfilling God’s commands, they are ‘guardians’ of that reward.—Metsudas Yehoshua great reward. Errors—who can comprehend? From hidden [faults], cleanse me. Also from willful [sins] spare Your servant, let them not rule me,44David’s request is paraphrased in the concluding blessing of the בִּרְכוֹת הַשַּׁחַר , וְאַל יִשְׁלֹט בָּנוּ יֵצֶר הָרַע , “Let us not be ruled by the Evil Inclinaation,” David knows full well that God does not interffere with man’s free choise; he only asks for DDivine help to keep him from becoming a prisoneerr evil.—Gaon of Vilna then I will be strong and will be cleansed of gross transgression. May they be acceptable— the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart before You, Adonoy, my Rock and my Redeemer.
To the Chief Musician, a Psalm of David. The skies recount the glory of the Almighty, and His handiwork is related by the firmament.33 שָׁמַיִם , skies, refers to the heavenly regions beyond earth’s atmosphere, where the stars and planets orbit. רָקִיעַ , firmament, refers to the earth’s atmosphere where clouds form, and precipitation takes place. The verb לְסַפֵּר means to recount something which occurred in the past. Thus the stars and planets in the שָׁמַיִם recount the fact that long ago God created a glorious universe. The רָקִיעַ , on the other hand, relates that God’s handiwork is evidenced in the constant formation of clouds and in the precipitation of rain. The firmament enables man to recognize the constant renewal of God’s providence.— Malbim Day to day makes speech flow,34Daily renewal of the activities of creation, beginning with sunrise, stir mankind to proclaim God’s praises.—Rashi and night to night expresses wisdom.35Night after night the sun sets beneath the horizon only to rise and set again the following day. This unchanging pattern is evidence of the Divine wisdom implanted in God’s creation.—Rashi There is no speech, and there are no words; their voice is never heard.36Though the heavens have no means of verbal communication, the soul of man, with its sensitivity and perception, can understand their message clearly.—Ibn Ezra Throughout the earth, their line extends, and to the edge of the inhabited world their words, for the sun He has set a tent in their midst.37God provided the sun a permanent residence in the heavens. David describes this point to which the sun returns daily as its ‘tent’—its residence in the sky.—Metsudas Yehoshua And it [the sun] is like a groom departing his bridal chamber,38When the groom steps out of the bridal chamber, everyone rushes to greet him with great joy. Analogously, when the sun rises each day, all of creation rejoices.—Radak happy as a warrior to run on course.39A warrior is happy for the opportunity to go into battle because he has confidence in his skill and strength. Similarly, the sun rejoices knowing it will serve its Creator’s goals by running its course.—Metsudas Dovid. From one end of the skies is its rising and its circuit is to their [other] end; there is no escaping its heat. The Torah of Adonoy, is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of Adonoy, is trustworthy, making wise the simple [man]. The precepts of Adonoy, are upright, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of Adonoy, is lucid, enlightening the eyes.40Every command of God is flawless, lighting the way for those who walk in His way. Those who ignore His commands stumble in darkness.— Radak The fear of Adonoy, is pure, it endures forever; the judgments of Adonoy, are true, they are righteous in unison.41They are all in total harmony. There is no contradiction between them.—Ibn Ezra More desirable than gold, even more than quantities of fine gold;42 פָּז is the purest form of refined gold. and sweeter than honey, or the drippings of honeycombs. Even Your servant is careful of them, since they guard43Because the Divine reward is contingent on fulfilling God’s commands, they are ‘guardians’ of that reward.—Metsudas Yehoshua great reward. Errors—who can comprehend? From hidden [faults], cleanse me. Also from willful [sins] spare Your servant, let them not rule me,44David’s request is paraphrased in the concluding blessing of the בִּרְכוֹת הַשַּׁחַר , וְאַל יִשְׁלֹט בָּנוּ יֵצֶר הָרַע , “Let us not be ruled by the Evil Inclinaation,” David knows full well that God does not interffere with man’s free choise; he only asks for DDivine help to keep him from becoming a prisoneerr evil.—Gaon of Vilna then I will be strong and will be cleansed of gross transgression. May they be acceptable— the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart before You, Adonoy, my Rock and my Redeemer.