Komentarz do Psalmów 45:19

on shoshannim They founded this psalm in honor of the Torah scholars, who are as tender as roses and as beautiful as roses, and perform good deeds as fresh as roses.

a maskil Through an interpreter.

a song of loves Heb. שיר ידידות, a song of loves, a song of praise for them [the Torah scholars] to endear them to the people and to endear their Torah to them [the people].

My heart is astir In this manner, the Psalmist commenced his song: My heart caused a good theme to swarm within me in your praise, O Torah scholar.

is astir Heb. רחש, an expression of moving, and so is every expression of swarming and crawling.

I say, “My works are for a king” This song, which I have founded and composed, I say to one who is fit to be a king, as it is stated (Prov. 8:15): “Kings reign with me.”

my tongue is as poetic as the pen of an expert scribe. I saw in the commentary of Rabbi Moses the Preacher: מָהִיר in Arabic means expert.

You are more handsome than [other] men who engage in the work of transitory life. Why? Because charm is poured into your lips to instruct according to the halachah. הוּצַק means “poured,” as (Exod. 38:27): “to cast (לצקת)”; (Gen. 28:18), “and he poured (ויצק) oil.”

Therefore...blessed you as it is stated (below 29:11): “The Lord shall grant strength to His people.” And what is their reward? “The Lord shall bless His people with peace.”

Gird a sword on your thigh to wage the war of Torah, and that is your majesty and that is your glory.

for the sake of truth To instruct according to the law and to behave with righteous humility.

and it shall instruct you The Torah and the matter of truth in which you shall engage shall teach you tactics of war so that your right should perform awesome things. Since he mentions the study of Torah in an expression of war, the expression of the right hand, prepared to fight, is appropriate (i.e., it is customary to fight with the right hand).

Your arrows are sharpened, etc., in the heart of the king’s enemies Heb. שְּׁנוּנִים, is aiguises in French, sharpened. This is a transposed verse. We find that the disciples are called arrows, as it is stated (above 127:4): “As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.” And Torah scholars who argue with each other about halachah are called enemies to each other for the time, as it is stated: “they will not be ashamed when they speak with the enemies in the gate.”

nations shall fall under you As a reward for Torah, nations shall fall under Israel.

Your throne, O judge Your throne, O prince and judge, shall exist forever and ever, as the matter that is stated (Exod. 7:1): “I have made you a judge (נתתיך אלהים) over Pharaoh.” And why? Because “a scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom,” that your judgments are true, and you are fit to govern.

anointed you...with oil of joy Every expression of greatness is depicted by the anointment of oil, as is the custom of the kings.

Myrrh and aloes and cassia Heb. קדה (Exod. 30:24) is translated קציעתא, cassia.

all your garments All your garments smell with the fragrance of spices. Its midrashic interpretation is: All your betrayals (בגידותיך) and sins are expiated and smell of a fragrant scent.

more than ivory palaces, those that are Mine will cause you to rejoice More than the best ivory palaces, are the palaces that are prepared for you in Paradise to cause you to rejoice with them. שֵּׁן is ivoire in French, ivory.

those that are Mine will cause you to rejoice The palaces that are Mine they will make you rejoice, those that give you your reward.

The daughters of kings will visit you, as the matter that is stated (Isa. 49:23): “and their princesses your wet nurses.”

will visit you lit. your visitors. Heb. ביקרותיך. The “kaph” is punctuated with a “dagesh” because it is an expression of visiting, although it is preceded by a “yud.” I saw in Rav Saadia’s punctuation that this word is arranged with (Isa. 42:24), “Who subjected Jacob to plunder (למשיסה),” which is written with a “yud” although the “sammech” is punctuated with a “dagesh.” Menachem, however, associated it as an expression of value, as (Job 28:16): “with precious (יקר) onyx.

the queen Heb. שגל, the queen, as (Neh. 2:6): “and the queen (השגל) was sitting beside him”; (Dan. 5:2), “and they shall drink with them, the king and his nobles, his queen (שגלתה) and his concubines.” Your wife will stand at your right.

with golden jewelry from Ophir with a collection of golden ornaments that comes from Ophir.

Hearken, daughter, and see Hearken, O nation of Israel, and see the good way.

and incline your ear to the Torah.

and forget your people The nations among whom you were raised.

and your father’s house The idolatry that your fathers worshipped on the other side of the river.

And the King shall desire your beauty And if you do this, the King, the Holy One, blessed be He, will desire the beauty of your deeds.

And the daughter of Tyre shall seek your presence with tribute Heb. יחלו, as (Exod. 32: 11): “And Moses prayed (ויחל).” And as reward for this, you will merit that those who are now the richest of the people will bring you tribute and gifts.

All honor [awaits] the King’s daughter who is within, etc. Those who deserve all honor, and they are the nation of the King, who behaved with modesty now their garments will be more esteemed than the settings of gold of the High Priests. משבצוֹת is chatons in French, settings.

With embroidered garments, she will be brought to the King In embroidered garments, they will bring her as a gift to the King of all the earth. רקמוֹת is a broderies in French. This is what is stated (Isa. 66:20): “And they shall bring all your brethren from all the nations as a tribute, etc.”

virgins in her train who are her companions Some of the idolatrous nations will follow them, as the matter that is stated (Zech. 8:23): “shall take hold of the skirt of a Jewish man, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’ “

will be brought to You The Psalmist addresses the Holy One, blessed be He.

Instead of your forefathers, etc. He addresses each Israelite.

I will mention Your name The Psalmist addresses the Holy One, blessed be He.