Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Psalms, dives deep into this verse, taking us on a journey through moments of profound transformation and connection with the Divine. It’s a fascinating exploration of how facing adversity can actually elevate us.
The Midrash begins by referencing the Song of Songs, that beautiful and sensual poem, with the line: "How beautiful and pleasant you are, love." The connection might seem obscure at first, but think about it: what is true beauty? Isn’t it something that emerges even, or especially, in moments of vulnerability?
The Midrash then brings us to the splitting of the Red Sea. Picture this: the Israelites, trapped between the pursuing Egyptian army and the vast, unforgiving sea. Fear. Panic. Utter desperation. But then, a miracle. The sea parts. The Israelites walk through on dry land, witnessing the awesome power and glory of God. And according to the Midrash, in that moment, they became "upright." As Proverbs 2:7 tells us, "He stores up sound wisdom for the upright." It's as if the very act of witnessing such a profound miracle straightened their spines, both physically and spiritually.
And it doesn't stop there. Psalm 125:4 says, "Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts." The Midrash connects this to another pivotal moment: the giving of the Torah. Standing at the foot of Mount Sinai, receiving God's law, they were transformed again. They became "righteous." The act of entering the Ohel Moed, the Tent of Meeting, symbolized this renewed righteousness. And as Psalm 33:1 proclaims, "Shout with joy, you righteous ones, before the Lord!"
But here’s where it gets really interesting. The Midrash connects all of this back to the opening verse of Psalm 69, "To the conductor, upon shoshanim." Shoshanim, meaning "lilies" or "roses." When did the Israelites become roses? According to the Midrash, it was when they saw God on the sea – specifically, when the waters had come up to their necks. It wasn't when things were easy. It wasn't when they were comfortable. It was in the moment of greatest peril, when they were literally drowning, that they transformed into something beautiful, something precious. The image of the rose, often associated with love, beauty, and even sacrifice, becomes a powerful symbol of resilience and faith.
So, what's the takeaway? Maybe it's this: it's easy to be upright when things are going well. It’s easy to be righteous when life is smooth sailing. But true transformation, true beauty, often blossoms in the face of adversity. It's in those moments when the waters are rising, when we feel like we're drowning, that we have the opportunity to connect with something greater than ourselves, to become something truly extraordinary.