King David knew that feeling.
Midrash Tehillim, an ancient collection of interpretations on the Book of Psalms, offers a glimpse into David's heart, revealing a profound sense of humility. The Midrash tells us that David saw himself as a mere "blot," an insignificant mark.
But what did he mean? The Midrash uses a parable to illustrate David's sentiment. Imagine a traveler with just two coins in his hand. He passes a tavern offering both fish and meat, and he's faced with a dilemma. He knows that ordering food will bring a whole tray, more than his coins can cover. So, he approaches the tavern keeper and simply asks for food that matches his budget. "Give me food for two coins," he says. The tavern keeper asks, understandably, "What can I give you for two coins?" The traveler responds with a proverb: "Dance according to your coins!"
David saw himself in a similar light. He understood his limitations. He couldn't sit amongst the giants of the past, the patriarchs and prophets. He couldn't claim a place of honor beside Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Aaron.
Instead, he declared, "I cannot sit with the great ones, I wait with the little ones." He imagined Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob safely tucked away "in the pocket," and Moses and Aaron, those towering figures of leadership, carefully "in the lining." Where does that leave David? "I will be at the threshold," he says, referencing Psalms 131:1.
He chooses humility. "I have chosen to be humbled in the house of God," he proclaims. And even if there isn't a seat for him at the threshold, even if he's relegated to the very edge, he won't leave. "If I do not have a place to sit at the threshold, then I will not leave the tavern." He'll stay within the walls of Jerusalem, praising God – "hallelujah."
This isn't about self-deprecation. It's about recognizing your place, understanding your strengths and weaknesses, and finding contentment within those boundaries. It’s about serving God with the resources you have, however limited they may seem. It’s "dancing according to your coins."
So, the next time you feel like you’re on the fringe, remember David. Remember his humility, his acceptance, and his unwavering devotion. Maybe, just maybe, the threshold is exactly where you need to be. And within the walls of your own Jerusalem, whatever that may be, there is always room for "hallelujah."