יְֽהוָ֗ה בְּעָזְּךָ֥ יִשְׂמַח־מֶ֑לֶךְ וּ֝בִישׁ֥וּעָתְךָ֗ מַה־יגיל [יָּ֥גֶל] מְאֹֽד׃
여호와여 왕이 주의 힘을 인하여 기뻐하며 주의 구원을 인하여 크게 즐거워하리이다
Kli Yakar
“My strength and song is God, and He has become my salvation.” He teaches in these verses that the righteous transform the attribute of judgment into mercy, while the wicked transform the attribute of mercy into judgment. This is what is meant by my strength — strength refers to the power and intensity of the attribute of judgment, as it is said O Lord, in Your strength the king rejoices (Psalms 21:2), meaning that even in the attribute of judgment, which is called strength, nevertheless the righteous rejoice in it, for “it is joy for the righteous to do the true judgments of God.” And in Your salvation, referring to the attribute of mercy, “how greatly he exults.”
And song [zimrat] is related to cutting, as in you shall not prune [tizmor] your vineyard, which also indicates the attribute of judgment. Also, the name Yah indicates the attribute of judgment, as explained by Rabbeinu Bachya on the verse For the hand is on the throne of Yah, God will be at war with Amalek (Exodus 17:16). Yet all these elements associated with the attribute of judgment nevertheless became for me salvation — they were transformed for me into mercy and salvation. This is precisely indicated by the addition of the letter vav in vayehi [and He became]. In judgment, the Holy One, blessed be He, shows me kindness — this is measure for measure, because I also bless God for the bad just as I bless Him for the good. And although the Egyptians harmed us and our ancestors, nevertheless I exalt His blessed name above all.
This is what is meant by This is my God and I will glorify Him; the God of my father, and I will exalt Him. My God [Eli] and “God [El]” hint at the attribute of judgment, for “El” is a term of strength and power. Although Rashi explained in Parashat Ki Tisa (34:6) that “El” refers to the attribute of mercy, citing as evidence the verse My God, my God, why have You forsaken me (Psalms 22:2), this proof is not conclusive, for the righteous transform judgment into mercy, therefore he asked that even “El” not forsake him. The primary meaning of the term is one of capability, as in and the mighty [eilei] of the land he took away (Ezekiel 17:13). This is why it says, This is my God — even though He conducts Himself with me according to the attribute of judgment, nevertheless I will glorify Him — I will tell of His beauty and praise. And similarly, the God of my father — though the Egyptians also harmed our ancestors, nevertheless I will exalt Him for this.
And song [zimrat] is related to cutting, as in you shall not prune [tizmor] your vineyard, which also indicates the attribute of judgment. Also, the name Yah indicates the attribute of judgment, as explained by Rabbeinu Bachya on the verse For the hand is on the throne of Yah, God will be at war with Amalek (Exodus 17:16). Yet all these elements associated with the attribute of judgment nevertheless became for me salvation — they were transformed for me into mercy and salvation. This is precisely indicated by the addition of the letter vav in vayehi [and He became]. In judgment, the Holy One, blessed be He, shows me kindness — this is measure for measure, because I also bless God for the bad just as I bless Him for the good. And although the Egyptians harmed us and our ancestors, nevertheless I exalt His blessed name above all.
This is what is meant by This is my God and I will glorify Him; the God of my father, and I will exalt Him. My God [Eli] and “God [El]” hint at the attribute of judgment, for “El” is a term of strength and power. Although Rashi explained in Parashat Ki Tisa (34:6) that “El” refers to the attribute of mercy, citing as evidence the verse My God, my God, why have You forsaken me (Psalms 22:2), this proof is not conclusive, for the righteous transform judgment into mercy, therefore he asked that even “El” not forsake him. The primary meaning of the term is one of capability, as in and the mighty [eilei] of the land he took away (Ezekiel 17:13). This is why it says, This is my God — even though He conducts Himself with me according to the attribute of judgment, nevertheless I will glorify Him — I will tell of His beauty and praise. And similarly, the God of my father — though the Egyptians also harmed our ancestors, nevertheless I will exalt Him for this.