Tehillim 77
Your way, O G-d, is holy.
Who is so great a G-d as our G-d?
You are the G-d that does wonders; you have declared your strength among the people.
With your arm you have redeemed your people, the sons of Yaakov and Yosef. Selah.
The waters saw you, O G-d, the waters saw you; they were afraid; the depths also trembled.
The clouds poured out water; the skies sent out a sound; your arrows flashed on every side.
The voice of your thunder was in the whirlwind; the lightnings lightened the world; the earth trembled and shook.
Your way was through the sea, and your path through the great waters; and your footsteps were not known.
You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moshe and Aharon.
In the Torah, Parashat Beshalach marks a pivotal moment in the history of the Jewish people—the miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage through the splitting of the Yam Suf (Red Sea). This event is so significant that it becomes a central theme in the Jewish understanding of G-d’s relationship with His people. Tehillim 77:14-21 reflects this moment of Divine intervention, while also inviting us to draw deeper spiritual lessons from it.
"Your way, O G-d, is holy. Who is so great a G-d as our G-d?" These opening words of the psalm echo the reverence of the Benei Yisrael as they stood by the Yam Suf, witnessing the miracle of their salvation. The moment the waters parted, the Benei Yisrael saw firsthand G-d's greatness, a greatness that defies human understanding. The splendor and might of this miracle left them in awe, recognizing G-d’s incomparable holiness. The people had experienced a physical and spiritual liberation, one that transcended the limitations of the natural world.
In the context of Parashat Beshalach, this verse also reflects a deeper spiritual truth: G-d’s ways are beyond comprehension, but they are always for the good of His people. We may not always see the full picture in our lives, but just as G-d led the Benei Yisrael through the Yam Suf to freedom, He continues to guide us, even when His path is not immediately visible. The Beshalach narrative challenges us to trust in G-d’s unseen hand, even when it seems like we are walking through waters unknown.
"You are the G-d that does wonders; you have declared your strength among the people." The miraculous acts of G-d, especially the parting of the Red Sea, were not only signs of His power but also acts of His compassion for the Jewish people. G-d’s miracles in Beshalach were not arbitrary; they were meant to declare His relationship with the Benei Yisrael—to show that He is not just a distant G-d, but one who is intimately involved in the fate of His people. In our own lives, we might not experience such grand miracles, but we are encouraged to recognize the "wonders" that G-d performs in our daily existence. The beauty of a sunrise, the unexpected kindness of a stranger, or even moments of personal breakthrough can all be seen as expressions of G-d's ongoing love and involvement in our lives.
"The waters saw you, O G-d, the waters saw you; they were afraid; the depths also trembled." This striking imagery brings to mind the moment when the sea parted, an act of Divine Power that terrified the very waters of the deep. In Beshalach, the sea becomes a barrier for the Benei Yisrael, a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, but it is through G-d’s intervention that the waters recede, making way for the people to cross. The sea trembles in the face of G-d’s will, a reminder that no matter how overwhelming our obstacles may seem, G-d has the power to overcome them.
"The clouds poured out water; the skies sent out a sound; your arrows flashed on every side." Here, we are reminded of the thunder and lightning that accompanied the miraculous events in Beshalach. The psalmist evokes the natural phenomenon of the storm, reflecting the power of G-d's Presence in the world. These manifestations of Divine Power are not just physical signs; they also symbolize the emotional and spiritual upheavals that often accompany moments of great transformation. Just as the Benei Yisrael's passage through the Yam Suf was a transformative experience, our own spiritual journeys are often marked by turbulence and change. But through it all, G-d’s Presence guides us forward.
In the context of Parashat Beshalach, this verse also reflects a deeper spiritual truth: G-d’s ways are beyond comprehension, but they are always for the good of His people. We may not always see the full picture in our lives, but just as G-d led the Benei Yisrael through the Yam Suf to freedom, He continues to guide us, even when His path is not immediately visible. The Beshalach narrative challenges us to trust in G-d’s unseen hand, even when it seems like we are walking through waters unknown.
"You are the G-d that does wonders; you have declared your strength among the people." The miraculous acts of G-d, especially the parting of the Red Sea, were not only signs of His power but also acts of His compassion for the Jewish people. G-d’s miracles in Beshalach were not arbitrary; they were meant to declare His relationship with the Benei Yisrael—to show that He is not just a distant G-d, but one who is intimately involved in the fate of His people. In our own lives, we might not experience such grand miracles, but we are encouraged to recognize the "wonders" that G-d performs in our daily existence. The beauty of a sunrise, the unexpected kindness of a stranger, or even moments of personal breakthrough can all be seen as expressions of G-d's ongoing love and involvement in our lives.
"The waters saw you, O G-d, the waters saw you; they were afraid; the depths also trembled." This striking imagery brings to mind the moment when the sea parted, an act of Divine Power that terrified the very waters of the deep. In Beshalach, the sea becomes a barrier for the Benei Yisrael, a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, but it is through G-d’s intervention that the waters recede, making way for the people to cross. The sea trembles in the face of G-d’s will, a reminder that no matter how overwhelming our obstacles may seem, G-d has the power to overcome them.
"The clouds poured out water; the skies sent out a sound; your arrows flashed on every side." Here, we are reminded of the thunder and lightning that accompanied the miraculous events in Beshalach. The psalmist evokes the natural phenomenon of the storm, reflecting the power of G-d's Presence in the world. These manifestations of Divine Power are not just physical signs; they also symbolize the emotional and spiritual upheavals that often accompany moments of great transformation. Just as the Benei Yisrael's passage through the Yam Suf was a transformative experience, our own spiritual journeys are often marked by turbulence and change. But through it all, G-d’s Presence guides us forward.
"Your way was through the sea, and your path through the great waters; and your footsteps were not known." These words capture the essence of the Beshalach story: G-d’s path through the sea was mysterious and beyond understanding. The Benei Yisrael had no idea how G-d would deliver them from the Egyptian army, and yet, through the miraculous parting of the waters, He led them to safety. This teaches us an essential lesson: while G-d’s ways may not always be clear to us in the moment, they are always leading us toward a higher purpose, even when we do not immediately see it.
"You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moshe and Aharon." In Parashat Beshalach, Moshe and Aharon were the instruments through which G-d guided His people. But it was ultimately G-d’s hand that led the Benei Yisrael through the wilderness, protecting them and providing for their needs. Moshe and Aharon were conduits of Divine Leadership, but they were not the source of the Benei Yisrael’s salvation. This teaches us that spiritual leaders, whether rabbis, teachers, or mentors, are important, but ultimately it is G-d who leads us on our path. We must learn to recognize His hand in all things and trust in His guidance, even when the road ahead is unclear.
As we read these verses from Tehillim in the context of Parashat Beshalach, we are reminded of the boundless power of G-d to deliver us from hardship. Just as G-d led the Benei Yisrael through the Yam Suf, He can guide us through our own struggles. The challenge is to trust in His timing and His plan, even when it is hidden from view. Like the Benei Yisrael, we may face moments of uncertainty and fear, but through our faith in G-d, we can move forward, trusting that He is with us, leading us toward redemption.
B"H, in times of personal or communal struggle, let us take solace in the words of the psalmist. G-d’s way is holy, and His wonders are ever-present. The same G-d who parted the Yam Suf and led His people through the wilderness is the same G-d who is with us today. His power, holiness, and guidance are available to us in every moment, inviting us to place our trust in Him and walk through the challenges of life with faith and courage.
(Tehillim 77:14-21; Beshalach - Shemot 14:21-22; Shemot 6:6, Devarim 26:8)
"You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moshe and Aharon." In Parashat Beshalach, Moshe and Aharon were the instruments through which G-d guided His people. But it was ultimately G-d’s hand that led the Benei Yisrael through the wilderness, protecting them and providing for their needs. Moshe and Aharon were conduits of Divine Leadership, but they were not the source of the Benei Yisrael’s salvation. This teaches us that spiritual leaders, whether rabbis, teachers, or mentors, are important, but ultimately it is G-d who leads us on our path. We must learn to recognize His hand in all things and trust in His guidance, even when the road ahead is unclear.
As we read these verses from Tehillim in the context of Parashat Beshalach, we are reminded of the boundless power of G-d to deliver us from hardship. Just as G-d led the Benei Yisrael through the Yam Suf, He can guide us through our own struggles. The challenge is to trust in His timing and His plan, even when it is hidden from view. Like the Benei Yisrael, we may face moments of uncertainty and fear, but through our faith in G-d, we can move forward, trusting that He is with us, leading us toward redemption.
B"H, in times of personal or communal struggle, let us take solace in the words of the psalmist. G-d’s way is holy, and His wonders are ever-present. The same G-d who parted the Yam Suf and led His people through the wilderness is the same G-d who is with us today. His power, holiness, and guidance are available to us in every moment, inviting us to place our trust in Him and walk through the challenges of life with faith and courage.
(Tehillim 77:14-21; Beshalach - Shemot 14:21-22; Shemot 6:6, Devarim 26:8)
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