Abraham Becomes the Wellspring of Blessing in His Old Age

"And the life of Sarah was..." (Genesis 23:1). "And Abraham was old, advanced in days" (Genesis 24:1). This is what Scripture says: "For You bless the righteous one, O LORD..." (Psalms 5:13). From the time the world was created until Abraham arose, the Holy One, blessed be He, would bless His world. For when He created Adam and Eve, He blessed them, as it is said, "And God blessed them..." (Genesis 1:28). He blessed Noah and his sons, as it is said, "And God blessed Noah and his sons" (Genesis 9:1). When Abraham arose, He made him a father of all creatures, as it is said, "And be a blessing" (Genesis 12:2). Thus, "For You bless the righteous one, O LORD; with favor as with a shield You encircle him" (Psalms 5:13) — for the Holy One, blessed be He, became for him like this shield, as it is said, "I am a shield to you" (Genesis 15:1). And tzinnah means nothing other than a shield, as it is said, "And the bearer of the shield (tzinnah) went before him" (I Samuel 17:7). What is the meaning of "with favor You encircle him"? That He blessed Abraham in old age, as it is said, "And Abraham was old."