We continue our series on explaining the Pesukim (verses) of Tehillim. Today we will be discussing three Pesukim in Perek (chapter) Heh (five), Pasuk (verse) Aleph (one), Beit (two), and Gimel (three). David HaMelech (David the King) says, which means: “A psalm by David for the conductor who is playing on an instrument called the Nechilot. Understand and perceive my thoughts. Hakshiva lekol shav'i: Listen to the sound of my cries. Malki ve'elohai: my King, my God. Ki elecha etpalel: For to you I pray.”
David HaMelech in these Pesukim of Tehillim is obviously talking about the power of tefillah, of praying to Hashem. I’d like to share with you a Chiddush (insight) on these Pesukim from the Malbim, who explains these Pesukim. The Malbim tells us that David HaMelech discusses four different aspects of prayer in these Pesukim. All four aspects are very much needed and significant for tefillah to be accepted.
He says the following: Imrai ha'azina. First, David HaMelech speaks about Imrai, my words: “Hashem, listen to my words.” Then David HaMelech talks about Bina hagigi: “Hashem, please understand and perceive my thoughts.” The third aspect David HaMelech speaks about is the sound of his voice, as he says, “Hashem, please hear the sounds of my crying voice.” In the fourth aspect, David HaMelech says, “I pray to you, Hashem.” The Malbim says that David the King is teaching us here that every Tefillah needs these four important aspects in order to be accepted by HaKadosh Baruch Hu (the Holy One, blessed be He).
Number one is Imrai, my words. Every Tefillah needs to be articulated in the right way, so that your words express what you are trying to ask from Hashem. A person should use the correct words: words that really bring out your feelings and are able to express your deep feelings about what you are asking HaKadosh Baruch Hu. So the first is Imrai: a person's words in his tefillah need to be clear in what he is asking from Hashem.
But then, says the Malbim, David HaMelech tells us there is a second important aspect, and that is Bina hagigi. Hagigi means my thoughts. The Malbim says this implies that one's mind must be totally focused on the words he is saying. A person has to have Kavanah. It's not just about Imrai. It's not just about words. It's about Bina hagigi: “Hashem, please understand my thoughts and perceive them.” So the second thing David HaMelech says is needed here is Kavanah, where a person is paying attention and he is focusing on the words that are being said.
Then, says the Malbim, the third thing David HaMelech mentions is Shav'i, the sound of my cries. That emphasizes to us that a prayer has to be real and needs to feel urgent and sincere. A person needs to pray to HaKadosh Baruch Hu in a way where Borei Olam (Creator of the world) sees sincerity. Borei Olam sees urgency. Borei Olam sees that this is something a person really, really wants. Hakshiva lekol shav'i, says the Malbim, is the third aspect of succeeding in Tefillah. That is to show HaKadosh Baruch Hu that our Tefillah is from the heart. Our Tefillah is sincere.
And then, says the Malbim, the final aspect, number four, is... And that, says the Malbim, means that a person needs to tell HaKadosh Baruch Hu, “Borei Olam, you are the only one who can help me.” This highlights the need to place one's full trust only in Hashem, and in no one else and in nothing else. And this, says the Malbim, is a very, very important aspect of Tefillah. When we pray to Hashem, Borei Olam sees that we feel He is the only one who can help us.
So the Malbim has taught us here four important aspects when it comes to a successful prayer. Number one is Imrai, my words. Let your words be clear. Express your feelings to Hashem. Talk to Borei Olam. Talk to Hashem as if He is standing in front of you, because yes, indeed, He is standing right there in front of you. Talk to Hashem. Articulate your words. Express your feelings to HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
The second aspect, says the Malbim, is Hagigi, my thoughts. Allow your thoughts to be connected to the words you are saying. Focus on the words you are praying to Hashem. Have Kavanah. Have the right thoughts.
The third aspect, says the Malbim, is Hakshiva lekol shav'i. It should be a sincere prayer. It should be a prayer from the heart. It should be a prayer where a person shows HaKadosh Baruch Hu that this is urgent and, “Borei Olam, I really need you to answer me, Hashem.”
And then the fourth and final aspect, which the Malbim says is very, very important, is Ki elecha etpalel: “Hashem, you are the only one who can help me.” When a person shows Hashem that Borei Olam is the only one who can help, that is when HaKadosh Baruch Hu will answer his Tefillot, and Borei Olam will say, “If I am the only one who can help him, then I want to be there for him to help him, because I am the only one he trusts in.” Borei Olam will accept our Tefillot, and Borei Olam will show us the Yeshu'ot (deliverances) that we need.
Have a wonderful day.