We continue our series on explaining the Pesukim (verses) of Tehillim (Psalms). Today we will be discussing a Pasuk (verse) in Perek (chapter) Lamed Gimel (33), Pasuk Vav (6). David HaMelech (King David) says, “Bidvar Adonai Shamayim Na'asu, U'veruach Piv Kol Tzva'am.” Which means, “Bidvar Adonai Shamayim Na'asu”—with the words of Hashem, the heavens were made and with the strength with the wind that came out of the mouth of Hashem all the creations of the world were created.
David HaMelech in this Pasuk is reminding us of how Hashem created this world. The Pesukim clearly tell us in the beginning of the Torah and Parashat Bereshit (Genesis) how Hashem created this entire beautiful world with words. Like it says in the Pesukim multiple times: “Vayomer Elohim Yehi Or.” And Hashem said, “Let there be light.” “Vayomer Elohim Tadshe Ha'aretz.” And Hashem said, “Let the earth sprout.” “Vayomer Elohim Yehi Me'orot.” And Hashem said, “Let there be luminaries.” And Hashem said, “Let the water bring about its creations.”
If you look at the Pesukim, you will see that this entire world was created with the words of Hashem. And this is what David HaMelech is telling us. The entire heavens and all its creations were created with the Devar Adonai, with the word of Hashem. And with the strength, with the wind that came out of Hashem's mouth, all the creations of the world were created.
And this is what the rabbis tell us in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers). This entire world was created with ten utterances of HaKadosh Baruch Hu (the Holy One, Blessed be He). Hashem created this world by speaking words ten times. There are ten utterances that we find in the Pesukim on how Hashem created this world. And the question that needs to be addressed is the following: Why is that? Why is it that Hashem created this world with words?
And the rabbis tell us that the reason Hashem created this entire world with words is to show us the power of words. A positive word has the ability to create an entire world. But on the other hand, a negative word has the ability to destroy an entire world. That is the power and the strength of words. That is the power of speech. HaKadosh Baruch Hu gave us words to use them to build worlds, to build people with them, to give people the encouragement and the chizuk (encouragement) that they need, to give people compliments, to uplift them. Not chas veshalom (God forbid) to use our words to hurt people or to destroy people.
And this is why HaKadosh Baruch Hu created this entire world with mere words, so that when we walk in the street and we look at the sky, we look at the heavens, we look at the sun, we look at the moon, we look at the beautiful trees, we look at all the creations of this world, and we tell ourselves, “How did this come about? How did Hashem create this?” And we remind ourselves that Hashem created this entire world with the power of words. Look at how powerful words are. Words can be constructive and words can be destructive. And therefore, a person has to be careful how he uses his words and how he speaks to others.
Sometimes all it takes is just one word to build another person. You see, a person is going through a tough time, he's going through a difficult time, and you approach that person and you give him a kind word, you give him an uplifting word, you could change his entire day, you could change his entire life with only one word. You are able to create an entire world. But on the other hand, a person must be careful how he uses his words, not to hurt others. You see, once a word is said, that word can only be forgiven, but it is not forgotten. When a person is told something hurtful, it is very hard to forget it. It is very hard to uproot it. It constantly plays in his mind. So yes, something that is said may be forgiven, but it will never be forgotten.
So a person has to be very careful with what he says, what words come out of his mouth. And this is why HaKadosh Baruch Hu created this entire world with the power of words, to teach his creations, to teach mankind. Look at the power of a word. One word has the ability to create an entire world. So be careful what you say. Be careful how you speak. Be careful what you tell your husband. Be careful what you tell your wife. Be careful what you tell your children. Be careful what you tell your students, because words, yes, maybe they can be forgiven, but words can never be forgotten. So let us remember that a word is so powerful that yes, even one word has the ability to create an entire world. Have a wonderful day.