I hate branches. As it says in Proverbs 8:13, "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil." So the Lord hates those who hate the way of life and walk in the way of evil. David said to him, "Whatever you hate, I hate."
Therefore it is said, "branches, etc." And what are branches? Anyone who departs from the ways of the Lord. And so it says in Ezekiel 31:6, "All the birds of the heavens made their nests in his boughs; under his branches all the beasts of the field gave birth to their young; and under his shadow lived all great nations." This means branches.
And so Elijah said in 1 Kings 18:21, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." I hate branches, that is, people who think they fear God because of their sufferings and not out of love, and also those who depart from the ways of God and follow the ways of men. David said, "I did not do them out of compulsion or fear, but out of love, as it says, 'I love your law.'"
I hate what you hate and love what you love. Flesh and blood carry out His decree, and everyone does them, even though they do them out of fear. I, on the other hand, do them out of love for the Torah. And so it says, "What I love, etc." Because I love it, do not leave me, but be my hiding place and shield.
Another verse says, "You are my shield and my savior, etc." This is what you said to Abraham in Genesis 15:1, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, etc." And so it says in 2 Samuel 22:36, "You have given me the shield of your salvation." Not for myself, but for anyone who trusts in you. And so it says in the same chapter, "He is a shield for all who take refuge in him."
Therefore it is said, "Be far from me, you evildoers, etc." This refers to Doeg and Ahithophel, who said to them, "Why do you push me away? Let me sit for a moment and study the Torah." And so it says to Saul in 1 Samuel 26:19, "Now let my lord listen to his servant's words, etc." I broke [the oath] that I would fulfill the Torah and live, and I will do the Torah without shame. Support me and save me, etc. Thus David said, "Support me so that I may have the strength to endure the suffering that You bring upon me, in order that You may save me."
I went to study Chapter One [of the Torah], and I had no strength to support me. Support me and save me if I come to a commandment and cannot fulfill it. Thus it is said (Psalms 18:36), "You support me with Your right hand." From here you learn that the Holy One, blessed be He, saves Israel only because they occupy themselves with the Torah.
Therefore it is said, "Support me and save me." "You have cleared away all who stray from Your statutes, etc." What is meant by "You have cleared away all who stray"? It refers to those who study the Torah but do not fulfill it, and you rejected them. Ahithophel came, learned the Torah but did not fulfill it, and you rejected him.
Why were they compared to a storehouse full of straw? After a while, the owner of the storehouse came and plastered it with mud, and even though he plastered it with mud, the straw was still pouring out of the holes. So, too, these [people] came and learned all the details of the Torah, but their hearts were full of foolishness. Therefore it is said, "You have cleared away all who stray."
"For their falsehood, You will destroy them." What is meant by "For their falsehood, You will destroy them"? When they came and learned the Torah with lies and deception, they learned it falsely. Therefore it is said, "For their falsehood, You will destroy them."
"You have silenced all the wicked of the earth." What is meant by "You have silenced all the wicked"? This bundle of grapes, as long as it has grapes on it, is in the hands of man. After he eats the grapes, he makes raisins, and what is left he throws to the ground.
So, too, these [people], all were bundled together, and they were all destroyed together. Therefore it is said, "You have silenced all the wicked." "My flesh trembles for fear of You." Fear of Gehenna.
Thus it is said (Isaiah 33:14), "The sinners in Zion are afraid." God said to him, "You are afraid? Blessed are you!" As it is said (Proverbs 28:14), "Happy is the man who is always afraid."