The Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Psalms, delves into Psalm 7, which begins "A shigayyon of David." Now, a shigayyon is often understood as a psalm of lament or perhaps even error. But what exactly was David lamenting?
The Midrash connects this psalm to a fascinating idea: the power of words, even whispered ones. It quotes Ecclesiastes 10:20: "Even among those you know, do not curse the king... for the bird of heaven will bring the voice... and the winged one will tell the matter." This isn't just folksy wisdom about loose lips sinking ships. Rabbi Yirmiyah interprets "the bird of heaven" as "the raven and the knowledge of augury," suggesting a deeper, almost mystical level of communication. Some say the walls have ears.
But the Midrash takes it a step further. It suggests that "the winged one" could even refer to angels, carrying our words straight to the Holy Blessed One. Can you imagine? Every complaint, every muttered frustration, potentially making its way to the highest authority?
This brings us to the heart of the matter. According to the Midrash, God confronts David: "Why are you cursing My anointed one?" Who is this "anointed one?" None other than Saul, the very king David would eventually succeed.
Now, David had plenty of reasons to feel conflicted about Saul. Their relationship was… complicated, to say the least. But David, in his wisdom, recognized the gravity of speaking ill of someone chosen by God. He understood the principle of malkhut, of divinely ordained authority.
David's response is powerful. He pleads, "Master of the universe, do not hold mistakes [shegagot] against me like brazen deeds!" He acknowledges his unintentional sins, his shegiy'ot, crying out, "Mistakes, who can understand?" He knows he’s not perfect, that errors are inevitable, but he begs for understanding and forgiveness. As it is written in Psalm 19:13, "Who can discern his own errors?"
The Zohar, that foundational text of Jewish mysticism, often emphasizes the importance of intention. Did David intend to undermine Saul's authority? Probably not. Was he simply venting, wrestling with his own ambitions and frustrations? Perhaps.
So what’s the takeaway? It’s not just about avoiding gossip or censoring our thoughts. It's about recognizing the power of our words, the potential impact they have, and striving for mindful speech. It's about acknowledging our own imperfections and asking for understanding, both from God and from those around us. And maybe, just maybe, it’s about remembering that even a king, a leader, a tzadik (righteous person), is still… human. We all make mistakes. The key, perhaps, is to learn from them, and to ask for forgiveness when we stumble.