TEHILLIM LIGHT

Commentaries

Mizmor 004, Verse 007

רַבִּ֥ים אֹמְרִים֮ מִֽי־יַרְאֵ֪נ֫וּ ט֥וֹב נְֽסָה־עָ֭לֵינוּ א֨וֹר פָּנֶ֬יךָ יְהוָֽה

rabbiym ʾomeriym miyyarʾeynu tov nesoʿoleynu ʾor poneycho ʾadonoy

Many say, "Who will show us goodness?" Raise up over us the light of Your countenance, O LORD.

RADAK

1.
Many say...
those he has spoken of as sons of men; and he says concerning them, many say of my soul - they say longingly in their rebellion
2.
Who will show us goodness?
that the rebellion of Absalom might succeed, and David perish and his son become king. And my evil is their good, and for it they are longing; but You
3.
Lord, lift up (נסה) the light of Thy countenance upon us:
not according to their purpose. And the word נַסה (is written) with samek (ס) instead of the (usual) sin (שׂ), and is equivalent to נשׂא. And it is possible to explain it according to the sense of and put your trust in the Lord. He says: as for many their thought is only for the prosperity of this world, and they are longing for it and saying Oh that He would show us prosperity ! while I and those with me say, Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us! All our desire is for the light of Your countenance for the world to come.

Rabbi HIRSCH

1.
Many say... ()
Verses 3–6 have first uncovered the source, justification and validity of prayerful mood to those of David's contemporaries who mocked him as he serenely collected his thoughts for prayer even, in such distress as he found himself. This seventh verse now is the beginning of that TAFILAH which he was preparing to utter when he was interrupted by the sneers of his contemporaries.
2.
“Oh that we could see some good!"
They wish to experience some good; they know of only one kind of happiness; namely that which is tangible in superficially happy circumstances.
3.
[אוֹר] (or)
light, in its enlightening, gladdening and exalting power, in connection with of God's countenance - the acts of God and their purpose - denotes all that is blissful, gladdening and exalting in God's sovereignty, in short — Divine favor.

WORDS