And, believe it or not, the Book of Psalms, or Tehillim in Hebrew, tackles this very idea!
Our journey begins with Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Psalms. It opens with a fascinating thought: "Happy is the person..." But happy doing what? That's where Rabbi Nehemiah chimes in, quoting Ecclesiastes (7:19): "Wisdom gives strength to the wise more than ten rulers who are in a city."
Now, who are these ten wise individuals? According to the Midrash, they are all found within the Book of Psalms itself: Adam, Melchizedek, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Asaph, and the three sons of Korah. Quite the lineup, right? They weren't chosen randomly. Rabbi Yochanan explains that they are linked to the judgments they passed and their connection to Israel.
But even amongst these giants, there's a hierarchy. Rabbi Huna, quoting Rabbi Abba, makes a powerful point: even though ten elders are said to be able to "fix something," it was specifically through the hand of King David.
Imagine a choir, all talented singers, ready to sing praises to the King of Kings. The king acknowledges their skill, but chooses one to lead, because their voice is simply more pleasant. This idea is beautifully captured in 2 Samuel 23:1, which describes David as "the sweet psalmist of Israel." While all their songs are pleasant, David's rise above the rest. The Midrash compares the pleasantness of Israel's songs to the greatness of Avinus son of Avinus. And then we are reminded of the poignant ending of Psalms: "The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended" (Psalm 72:20).
This brings us to another fascinating parallel. Just as there are ten individuals, there are also ten types of song: leadership, melody, psalm, song, prayer, praise, blessing, thanksgiving, happiness, and Hallelujah. Now, Hallelujah, a Hebrew word meaning "Praise God," is considered the greatest, because, as the Midrash says, it includes both the name and the praise at once. It’s the ultimate expression of joy and devotion. Rav even states that "All the books that include Hallelujah are holy."
And where does this all lead us? Back to the very beginning: "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked" (Psalm 1:1). It's a reminder that true happiness lies in choosing the path of righteousness, guided by wisdom and devotion, just like the great figures in the Book of Psalms.
So, next time you find yourself in a position to lead, remember the example of David, the sweet psalmist. Strive for wisdom, cultivate your gifts, and always, always, sing your heart out! Because, as the Midrash teaches us, the most beautiful music is the music of a soul connected to something greater than itself.