הלכה אויף תהילים 86:11

Even on this very subject do the righteous and the prophets supplicate and pray that the Lord may help them to discover the truth. As David said: "Teach me Thy way, O Lord, that I may walk in Thy truth" (Ps. 86.11), as if saying: "let not my sins withold the way of truth, by which I may discover Thy way, and the Oneness of thy Name". Likewise, this Verse: "Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and let a free spirit uphold me" (Ibid. 51.14), is as if saying: "Grant leave to my spirit to do Thy will, and let not my sins be a cause to withold repentance from me; but let the power be in my hand until I will turn, and understand and know the true way". And, in such way all other like verses are interpreted.

If you were put to a test and you kept yourself from sinning, do not boast of it saying, “I withstood the test.”¹Midrash Rabbah, ed. Horeb, Genesis, Chapter LII, p. 110. Perhaps your forefathers came to the same test and did not sin and they asked of the Holy One, blessed be He, that when their sons come to the same test they be given the power to keep from sinning,²Midrash Rabbah, ed. Horeb, Leviticus, Chapter XXXII, p. 88. for it is said, “God will provide Himself the lamb for a burnt offering my son etc.… and Abraham called the name of that place Adonaijireh”³See Perush. (Gen. 22:8-15). His children will be slaughtered in Sanctification of the Name and burnt like Isaac.⁴And do not sin. You should bless the Holy One because he strengthened you over your inclination, and gave you a heart to be victorious over your evil inclination,⁵Kiddushin 30b. for it is said, “God left him to try him” (II Chron. 32:31). “Left him,” from this it is apparent that all is in His hand. For this reason David entreated Him, for it is said, “Make one my heart to fear Thy name” (Ps. 86:11), and it is written, “And renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Ps. 51:12).