The Shepherd God and the Fourfold Acronym of Nachita

Another interpretation: Why "like sheep" (Psalms 78:52)? Rather, just as the shepherd is watchful over his flock by day because of the heat, and by night because of the wolves, so was the Holy One, blessed be He, watchful over Israel, as it is said, "And there shall be a booth for shade by day" and so forth (Isaiah 4:6); and it says, "The pillar of cloud did not depart" and so forth (Exodus 13:22); and it says, "You led Your people like a flock" and so forth (Psalms 77:21). What is the meaning of "You led" (nachita)? Rather, "You led" is a notarikon (acronym): "N—Awesome things (nora'ot) You showed in Egypt; Ch—Your wrath (charonkha) You poured out upon them; Y—Your right hand (yeminkha) swallowed them; T—the deep (tehom) You covered over them." Rabbi Yehoshua says: "N—Wonders (nifla'ot) You did for us; Ch—Freedom (cherut) You gave to us; Y—A sea (yam) You split for us; T—Torah You gave to us." Rabbi Elazar of Modi'im said: "N—Miracles (nissim) You did for us; Ch—Life (chayyim) You gave to us; Y—Your hand (yadkha) You showed to us; T—An uplifted head (tiluy rosh) You gave to us." And the Sages say: "N—Prophets (nevi'im) You raised up from among us; Ch—Pious ones (chasidim) You raised up from among us; Y—Upright ones (yesharim); T—Blameless ones (temimim) You raised up from among us." And all of these were in the merit of Moses; therefore it is said, "And Moses had Israel set out" (Exodus 15:22).