Think about that for a moment. David, millennia later, giving voice to the unspoken gratitude of humanity's dawn.

Rabbi Samuel, whose teaching is recorded in the Midrash, identifies four specific Psalms.

First, Psalm 24:1: "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." Why did David need to say this? Because, the Midrash explains, the world was created in its fullness for Adam. It was his inheritance, a gift beyond measure. David, recognizing this original bounty, echoes the sentiment that Adam, in his perfect innocence, perhaps took for granted.

Then there's Psalm 19:2: "The heavens declare the glory of God." Imagine being the first to gaze upon the stars, the sun, the sheer vastness of the cosmos. According to the Midrash, David sang this because he “saw them first.” He saw the divine handiwork in a way no one else ever could, and David, in his Psalm, gives voice to that primal awe.

Next, Psalm 92:1: "A Psalm, a song for the Sabbath day." The Sabbath, Shabbat, is the day of rest, a sanctuary in time. The Midrash tells us that the Sabbath exempted Adam from judgment. It offered him respite, a moment of peace in the Garden. So David, understanding the profound significance of this day, sings the song Adam should have sung in gratitude for that divine gift.

Finally, Psalm 16:5: "Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust." The Midrash says David sang this because Adam inherited the world in the beginning. It was an expression of total reliance on the Almighty.

It’s fascinating to consider the idea that David, a shepherd, a king, a warrior, could tap into the primeval consciousness of Adam. It suggests a deep connection between all human souls, a shared understanding of our place in the universe and our relationship with the Divine.

What does it mean that these Psalms, meant to be sung by Adam, were instead sung by David? Perhaps it's a reminder that expressing gratitude, recognizing the beauty of creation, and seeking divine protection are timeless human needs. Maybe it's a call to each of us to find our own "Psalms" – our own ways of acknowledging the gifts we've been given, both large and small. What songs are we meant to sing?