That feeling, that ache of being unseen… it’s a very human experience, and it resonates deeply within Jewish tradition.
Our journey today takes us into Midrash Tehillim, specifically Psalm 70. Midrash, meaning "interpretation" or "exposition," is a method of interpreting biblical texts, and Tehillim is the Hebrew name for the Book of Psalms. This particular midrash unlocks layers of meaning within the psalm, revealing profound insights about remembrance, prayer, and even the dangers of envy.
The passage opens with a simple, yet powerful statement: "And I pray to You, Lord, in an acceptable time." Rabbi Yosei bar Ḥalaftha adds that "There are times for prayer in the psalm above this one." It’s a gentle reminder that prayer isn't a one-size-fits-all activity. There are opportune moments, specific times when our connection to the Divine feels especially potent.
Then comes the plea from Psalm 69:15, "Rescue me from the mire, and do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me and from the deep waters." It's a cry for help, a desperate grasp for salvation from overwhelming adversity. It bleeds into Psalm 70, "To the conductor, a psalm of David to remember. God, save me."
But what does it mean, "to remember?" What are we supposed to be recalling? The midrash delves into this question, drawing a parallel between the Jewish people scattered among the nations and a forgotten shepherd. It references Zechariah 10:9, "I will sow them among the peoples," suggesting that the scattering of the Jewish people across the world is like a sowing of seeds. But it also promises remembrance. "And in reward for remembering me, I will remember them every time you remember me."
The midrash then offers a poignant analogy. Imagine a king who, angered by his flock, drives them away, dismisses their shepherd, and leaves their pasture open. Eventually, the sheep return, rebuild the pasture, but the shepherd? He’s not remembered. Can you feel the shepherd’s pain? He laments, "Behold, the sheep are gathered, and the pasture is built, but I am not remembered."
David, the shepherd-king, feels this same way. He sees the people returning to Zion, as Psalm 69:36 states, "For God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah, and they shall dwell there and possess it. The descendants of His servants shall inherit it, and those who love His name shall dwell in it." But David feels overlooked, hence his plea, "to the conductor, a psalm of David, to remember. God, save me." He wants to be remembered for his role in guiding and protecting his people.
This feeling of being forgotten, the midrash suggests, can lead to destructive emotions. "Woe to the wicked who do not die in the world to come but from envy and anger," the text warns, citing Job 5:2, "For wrath kills a foolish man, and envy slays a simple one." Anger and envy are destructive forces, as Psalm 35:4 echoes, "Let them be ashamed and disgraced, those who seek after my life. Let them be turned back and confounded, those who desire my hurt." This is a warning against letting bitterness consume us when we feel unappreciated.
The midrash contrasts remembering with the destructive forces of envy and anger. According to 1 Chronicles 16:4, those appointed before the Ark of the Lord were "to invoke and thank" and to "Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth." Remembering God's goodness is a way to combat those negative emotions.
So, what are we left with? A powerful reminder that remembrance is a vital act. It's about acknowledging the contributions of others, about appreciating the good in our lives, and about connecting to something larger than ourselves. It's also a cautionary tale about the corrosive nature of envy and anger. Perhaps the key is to shift our focus from what we feel we lack to what we already have and to remember the blessings in our lives. As we remember, we are, in turn, remembered. And in that connection, we find solace and strength.