David’s Song - Our Journey

The Festival of Lights is upon us. The year: 5785. There is an ongoing war in Israel. A silent holocaust rages in America. The hurly burly’s not yet done; the battles are fought, not yet won. Yet King David would have us rejoice! For Am Yisrael Hai! Psalm 30 is sung after the kindling of the candles on each night of Hanukkah; and on each night, we can revisit David’s secret message to all generations of Jews: Hashem can change the course of history in the blink of an eye! Indeed, we can find renewal and redemption in our attempt to connect with Hashem, in our opening an avenue of communication with Borei Olam. And he will lift us from the deepest depths of despair. 

David knew many years of hardship. His life was fraught with trials and rejection. When he slipped with Batsheva, he faced numerous scoffers; worst of all, he feared he lost a soul-connection with the Almighty. When composing Psalm 30—the song of the Inauguration of the Temple—David penned a most unusual mizmor: Instead of praising Hashem for the glory of the Temple, he composed a personal reflection on how Hashem saved him from ignominy and disgrace; Hashem’s fury was not long-lasting, but rather momentary; Hashem lifted him; in a heartbeat David was accepted by Hashem once more. His spirit was renewed. It was David Hamelech’s desire to impart on each Jew an important message: approach the Temple (the inner sanctuary within, and the holy Temple without) with the understanding that Hashem desires a connection with them, and if they so much as repent and rejoice knowing G-d Almighty is a compassionate and caring Lord, Hashem will spread his grace upon them. 

And so, the rabbis deemed Psalm 30 most fitting for recitation during the festival of lights—for it reminds each Jewish soul that, like in the time of the Seleucid Greeks and the Hellenistic Jews, they can re-instate their personal sanctuary and rededicate their spirits to Hashem and cleanse themselves. We can learn to find a miraculous jug of purified oil beating in our collective unconscious, our joint endeavor as emissaries of Hashem. We can rejoice that Hashem has not forsaken us, even though we have lost our way time and again. 

On Hanukkah we regained access to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. It was David’s greatest dream to build a sanctuary for Hashem in the earthly realms. But he had spilled too much blood. Yet his entire life was dedicated to purifying his heart in the service of Hashem. He lived the life of a penitent, thus serving as the archetypal everyman who yearns to reconnect with his Source—Hashem. As the composer of Psalm 30, David left us all with a clear message: the Temple is a place for igniting your soul. 

Today, we do not visit Hashem’s abode. It is still in the hands of foreigners. But we have our homes, hearths, hearts, and souls. Our inner sanctuary can be illuminated—with the spark of Torah, with the help of David’s prayers, we can learn to open an avenue of abundance, of spiritual connection with our Creator in Heaven, bringing the Third Temple closer and closer to its final resting place.

Psalm 30

A psalm, a song of dedication of the House, by David.

I exalt You, Lord, for You have uplifted me, and did not allow my enemies to rejoice over me.

Lord, my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.

Lord, You have brought up my soul from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not descend to the pit.

When one retires at night weeping, joy will come in the morning. Sing to the Lord, you His pious ones, and praise His holy Name.

For His wrath endures but for a moment, when He is conciliated there is [long] life; 

In my security I thought, "I shall never falter.”

Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; when You concealed Your countenance I was alarmed.

I called to You, O Lord, and I made supplication to my Lord:

What profit is there in my death, in my going down to the grave? Can dust praise You? Can it proclaim Your truth?

Lord, hear and be gracious to me; Lord, be a help to me.

You have turned my mourning into dancing; You have undone my sackcloth and girded me with joy.

Therefore my soul shall sing to You, and not be silent; Lord my God, I will praise You forever.