“For this, let every pious man pray [at the time of searching]” (Psalms 32:6) – Zavdi ben Levi, Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi, and Rabbi Yosei bar Patron, the three of them recited [some of] the following verses when they died. One of them recited: “For this, let every pious man pray”; “for our heart rejoices in Him” (Psalms 33:21). Another said: “You prepare a table before me” (Psalms 23:5); “But let all who put their trust in You rejoice…” (Psalms 5:12).
Another said: “For one day in Your courtyard is better” (Psalms 84:11); “for Your kindness is better than life” (Psalms 63:4). Some say: “How great is your goodness” (Psalms 31:20). Rabbi Pinḥas said in the name of Rabbi Hoshaya: The Holy One blessed be He,, took the legs of our patriarch Jacob and stood them on the sea and said to him: ‘See the miracles that I am performing with your descendants.’
That is what is written: “When Israel departed from Egypt” (Psalms 114:1) – Israel the elder. Rabbi Huna said in the name of Rav Aḥa: He stood the feet of the patriarchs, too, on the sea. That is what is written: “He performed wonders before their fathers” (Psalms 78:12). “At the time of searching [le’et metzo]” (Psalms 32:6) – at the time of completion [mitzui] of the day; at the time of completion of the judgment; at the time of completion of the soul; at the time of completion of the accounting.
When our forefather Jacob saw that the accounting had been completed,6When he saw that he had done all he could to prepare his sons for their encounter with the Egyptian viceroy (Matnot Kehuna; cf. Etz Yosef). he began to pour forth supplications; “And may God Almighty grant you mercy…”