One that echoes even in the ancient words of Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic commentaries on the Book of Psalms. Specifically, we're looking at interpretations of Psalm 119.
The verse we're focusing on starts with a simple yet profound statement: "You have done well with your servant, O Lord, according to your word." This isn't just a passive acknowledgement of divine goodness. It’s an active recognition that God is tov, good, and does good. Not just in this world, but in the olam ha-ba, the world to come. The Midrash emphasizes that this goodness is a legacy, passed down from God to our ancestors, and continuing to their descendants. "You were good to the fathers and do good to their children after them. Therefore it is said, 'You are good and do good.'"
But then, the tone shifts. "They multiply lies upon me, O arrogant ones, but I will keep your precepts with my whole heart." Who are "they"? What are these lies? The Midrash doesn’t leave us hanging. It connects this feeling of being surrounded by falsehood to a specific moment in our history: the enslavement in Egypt.
The Midrash then draws a direct line to the Book of Exodus. Remember the fear and paranoia of Pharaoh? "Come, let us deal wisely with him," he says in Exodus 1:10, referring to the growing Israelite population. This "dealing wisely" wasn't about justice or fairness, was it? It was about control, achieved through deception and oppression. The Midrash sees Pharaoh's words as the very embodiment of those multiplying lies.
And it doesn't stop there. The commentary continues, referencing the even more chilling decree in Exodus 1:16: "And he said, 'When you help the Hebrew women give birth, observe them on the birthstool; if it is a son, kill him, but if it is a daughter, she shall live.'" This is Pharaoh's attempt at systematic infanticide, cloaked in the guise of control. It’s a horrifying example of how lies can be used to justify the most unspeakable acts.
But even in the face of such adversity, there's a defiant response. "I will keep your precepts with my whole heart." Even "when they afflict me, I will abound." It's a testament to the enduring strength of faith, a refusal to be broken by the lies and oppression. Even in the darkest moments, even when surrounded by deceit, the commitment to God's word remains.
The Midrash isn't just recounting a historical event; it's offering a timeless lesson. It's reminding us that lies and oppression are nothing new. They've been with us for generations. But so too has the strength to resist them, to hold fast to our values, and to keep our hearts focused on what is right, even when everything around us feels wrong.
So, the next time you feel like you're being bombarded by falsehoods, remember the words of Midrash Tehillim. Remember the Israelites in Egypt. Remember the power of unwavering faith in the face of adversity. And remember that even in the midst of lies, truth can still prevail.