“You are fairer [yafyafita] than sons of man; grace flows…” (Psalms 45:3) – [this refers to Abraham]. You are fair13The word yafyafita, with a doubling of the syllable yaf, indicates two kinds of beauty. among the heavenly, as it is stated: “The angels cried outside” (Isaiah 33:7).14The angels cried for Abraham at the binding of Isaac (see Bereshit Rabba 56:5). You are fair among the earthly – “you are a prince of God in our midst” (Genesis 23:6).
“Therefore, God has blessed you forever” (Psalms 45:3) – “the Lord blessed Abraham with everything.” “Who will ascend the mountain of the Lord?” (Psalms 24:3). This refers to Abraham, [who experienced spiritual elevation atop Mount Moriah, where God told him:] “Now I know that you are God fearing” (Genesis 22:12). “Who will stand [yakum] in His holy place?” (Psalms 24:3) – this refers to Abraham, as it is stated: “Abraham arose [vayakom] early in the morning, to go to the place” (Genesis 19:27).
“Clean of hands and pure of heart” (Psalms 24:4) – “[Abram said to the king of Sodom: I have raised my hand to the Lord…] that neither a thread nor a shoelace [nor anything of yours shall I take]” (Genesis 14:22–23); “and pure of heart” – [for he said to God:] “Far be it from You to do something like this, [to put the righteous to death along with the wicked]” (Genesis 18:25). “Who has not taken a soul in vain” (Psalms 24:4) – this refers to Nimrod’s soul;15Abraham slew Nimrod, but it was not without justification, because Nimrod was pursuing him to kill him. “nor taken an oath deceitfully” (Psalms 24:4) – “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High” (Genesis 14:22).
“He will receive the blessing of the Lord, and righteousness [from the God of his salvation]” (Psalms 24:5) – “Abraham was old…and the Lord blessed Abraham with everything.” Abraham was the source of blessing for everyone, as it is stated: “[All the families of the earth] shall be blessed in you” (Genesis 12:3). Who was the source of blessing for Abraham? The Holy One blessed be He was his source of blessing – “the Lord blessed Abraham with everything.”
Moses was the source of miracles for Israel, as it is written: “With all the signs and the wonders…that Moses performed” (Deuteronomy 34:11–12). Who was the source of miracles for Moses? It was the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “Moses built an altar and called its name; The Lord Is My Miracle” (Exodus 17:15). David was Israel’s shepherd, as it is stated: “You will shepherd My people Israel” (I Chronicles 11:2).
Who was David’s shepherd? It was the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalms 23:1). Jerusalem is the source of light for the world, as it is stated: “Nations will walk by your light” (Isaiah 60:3). Who is the source of light for Jerusalem? It is the Holy One blessed be He, as it is written: “The Lord will be an eternal light for you” (Isaiah 60:19).