מדרש אויף תהילים 121:2

Chapter 36: Writings [1] song of ascents. I lift my eyes to the mountains, etc. (Psalms 121:1). "Until the day breathes and the shadows flee" (Song of Songs 2:17). Since Israel is subjected to kingdoms, they say "Master of the Universe, until when will the nations rule over us?" as it is written, "How long will I harbor counsel within my soul, agony in my heart all day?" (Psalms 13:3) And the Holy One, blessed be He, says to them, "Until the dawn breaks forth," as it is said, "Until the day breathes and the shadows flee" (Song of Songs 2:17). The shadows refer to the kingdoms, as it is said, "Woe to us, for the day is turning, for the shadows of evening lengthen" (Jeremiah 6:4), and so too, Moses says, "Remove the veil from their faces" (Numbers 14:9). At that hour, Israel sits in peace and says, "Your heart will meditate on fear" (Isaiah 33:18). This fear is the kingdom of Babylon, and "four living creatures of terror and strength" (Daniel 7:7) are its measure. "Where is the scribe, where are the weighers" (Isaiah 33:18), where are the tax collectors who would weigh out their taxes? The Holy One, blessed be He, says to them, "Do not fear, you will not see a fierce people" (Isaiah 33:19). And the shades will flee, missing two things, and returning two things, as it says, "And the redeemed of the Lord will return and come to Zion with singing, and everlasting joy will be upon their heads" (Isaiah 51:11). Here are two things. "And sorrow and sighing will flee away" (Isaiah 35:10), here are two more things. Therefore it says, "Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away" (Song of Songs 4:6). In the merit of whom? In the merit of he who said, "I will go to the mountain of myrrh" (Song of Songs 4:6), this is Abraham. Just as myrrh is the head of spices, so too Abraham is the head of the righteous. "And to the hill of frankincense" (Song of Songs 4:6), this is Isaac, who was bound on the altar like frankincense, as it says, "And he laid him on the altar" (Genesis 22:9). [God] said to him, "Do not lay your hand on the boy" (Genesis 22:12). Isaac began to cry out, "I lift up my eyes to the mountains" (Psalms 121:1), but he did not do anything, except that "he saw, and behold a ram" (Genesis 22:13). At that moment he said, "My help comes from the Lord" (Psalms 121:2).

Chapter (47) 48: Writings [1]"A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1-2). This is similar to "And your eyes shall see" (Malachi 1:5). What do you gain from seeing the downfall of Edom? Look to what is written above it: "For Esau says, 'We have been ravaged, but we will rebuild the ruins.'" (Malachi 1:5). The downfall of Edom is not what I am seeking from you, but rather praise and glory, as it is written: "And you will say, 'Great is the Lord!'" (Malachi 1:5). The prince of Edom is difficult, and so Zechariah says: "Then I looked up - and there before me were four chariots coming out from between two mountains - mountains of bronze!" (Zechariah 6:1). The people of Israel said, "Where will my help come from? From which kingdom will we be saved, and which kingdom will restore your kingdom?" And it is written, "In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established" (Isaiah 2:2). Similarly, Daniel says: "I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, 'My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?'" (Daniel 12:8). And the Lord said to him, "The prophet has already preceded you and said, 'In the last days, it shall come to pass'" (Isaiah 2:2). And the nations will go (Isaiah 2:3). At that time, my help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:2)

Chapter (56) 57: Writings [1] A song of ascents. I will lift up my eyes (Psalms 121:1). The verse "And the spirit clothed Amasai, the chief of the captains, and he said" (1 Chronicles 12:19) - Rabbi Berachiah said: It refers to the prince of Edom, as Zechariah saw him, as it is said, "I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse...and he said" (Zechariah 1:8). He sought to imitate those who are called stars, as it is said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars...so shall thy seed be" (Genesis 15:5), referring to Israel, who are established in a fortress. Similarly, it is written, "Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down" (Obadiah 1:4), referring to Edom, who sought to imitate the stars, as it is said, "Look now toward heaven." After this, "red horses, which walked among the myrtle trees" (Zechariah 1:8), these are the kings who stood against him. [They are called] Edom, who loves gold; "sorrel horses," who trample on the vineyards of Israel and take their money; "white horses," to atone for the sins of Israel. He then saw horns, as it is said, "And I lifted up mine eyes and saw, and behold four horns" (Zechariah 2:1). These are the four kingdoms. He said to him, as long as these horns are visible, the horn of Israel does not rise, as it is said, "These are the horns which scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head" (Zechariah 1:21). When will Israel lift up their heads? When I cut off the horns, as it is said, "All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted" (Psalms 75:11). "The righteous" refers to Israel, as it is said, "And all thy people shall be righteous" (Isaiah 60:21). At that time, "I will lift up my eyes" (Psalms 121:1), "My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth." (Psalms 121:2)