We left off last week with Tehilim chapter 62 pasuk 9, and today we will discuss the first few words of this pasuk.
בִּטְחוּ בוֹ בְכׇל־עֵת
Rely on Hashem in all times
We will quote beautiful words on this, from many Rishonim.
Rabbenu Yonah, an early Rishon, says that a person has to know that, “Rely on Hashem at all times,” means even in the darkest of times. And a person has to know that Hashim is רב להושיע -He is tremendously capable of saving. And,
ישועתו כחרף עין His salvation can come in the blink of an eye. Therefore, a person must hope for his salvation. As the Gemarah says, “Even if a sword is on your neck, continue to hope to Him,” based on the pasuk in Iyov, “They are about to kill me, but I still hope to Him.”
He says that this is what בכל עת/at all times means.
Even when the challenge or problem is very close and the person doesn’t see a way out, David HaMelech is telling us to rely, בכל עת In ALL times. There are no exceptions to the rule.
The Derashot HaRan, another Rishon (who came a little after Rabbenu Yonah), quotes this Rabbenu Yonah , and adds, “Even in tremendous times of fear, with tremendous dangers, still rely on Hashem, as it says, בכל עת- in all times; even in a case where it seems that all the gates of salvation are closed. Rely on Hashem. He can save you, because your situation is not dependent on the way of the world; It’s dependent on Hashem’s supervision, and Hashem’s supervision is dependent on two things:
1- The good beliefs we have, which we put steadfast in our soul
2- The Mitzvot that we do.
When a person is in trouble, those are these two things that he has to work on:
Adding zecuhuyot/merits, and strengthening his Emunah
This is one of those good beliefs: that Hashem can save us from all situations.
The Sefer Menorat Hamaneor
(another early sefer) says that if you want to have an defense attorney that always works- that is Bitachon in Hashem, as it says- ( quoting this pasuk(- בטחו בו בכל עת
Rely on Him in all situations. This defense attorney works in all situations.
Some lawyers are good for marriage cases, some are only good in business law, and others are good in medical malpractice. But if you want a defense attorney who works in all situations, Have Bitachon in Hashem. בטחו בכל עת
He created the heavens and the earth. And just like God made the heavens and the earth, and made a boundary for the sea, and kept everything as is and didn’t change it, so too, whoever relies on Hashem, God’s help is never removed.
That is the power of Bitachon- In all situations, at all times. No matter how dark or bleak it seems, we have David HaMelech’s directive, בטחו בכל עת rely on Hashem in all situations, with no exceptions.
We should all spend time contemplating this point, and keep it at the forefront of our minds.