“Cain departed [vayetze] from the presence of the Lord, and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden” (Genesis 4:16). “Cain departed from the presence of the Lord” – from where did he depart?57God’s presence is everywhere. Rabbi Yudan said in the name of Rabbi Aivu: He cast the words58God’s rebuke. behind him and departed, as though deceiving the Most High. Rabbi Berekhya said in the name of Rabbi Elazar ben Rabbi Shimon: He departed as one who shows a split hoof,59The pig seeks to create the impression that it is kosher because it has split hooves, even though it lacks the other, hidden, requirement of kashrut, as it does not chew its cud.
So, Cain pretended to be humbled, but remained arrogant. and as one who deceives his Creator. Rabbi Ḥama said in the name of Rabbi Ḥanina bar Rabbi Yitzḥak: He departed joyfully, just as it says: “Here he is going out [yotze] to meet you [and he will see you and he will rejoice in his heart]” (Exodus 4:14). Adam the first man encountered him. He said to him: ‘What became of your sentence?’
He said to him: ‘I repented and reached a settlement.’ Adam the first man began beating himself on the face, saying: ‘Such is the power of repentance, and I did not know.’ Immediately, Adam the first man stood and said: “A psalm, a song for the Shabbat day…” (Psalms 92:1). Rabbi Levi said: Adam the first man said this Psalm, but it was forgotten from his generation, and Moses came and reintroduced it in his own name:60Psalms 90–100 are attributed to Moses (Bava Batra 14b and Rashi).
Moreover, the first letters of the words of the verse: Mizmor shir leyom haShabbat – mem, shin, lamed, heh – can be combined to create leMoshe – to Moses. “A psalm, a song for the Shabbat61Shabbat is expounded in the sense of repentance [teshuva]. day. It is good to give thanks [lehodot]62Lehodot is expounded in the sense of confession [vidui]. to the Lord…” (Psalms 92:1–2).