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4 ‎[1] **As for the works of men, by the word of Thy lips** – -in what Thou hast commanded and forbidden-
‎[2] **I have observed the ways of the violent:** – meaning, I have done according to the work of the wicked and the violent. The learned Rabbi Abraham ben Ezra expounds: "Let my sentence come forth from Thy presence so that Thou punish me if Thine eyes regard not the right !" But all this seems to me far-fetched, and to me it seems more probable that it should be taken as (ibid. 9:5) "For Thou hast maintained my right and my cause" of which the interpretation is: Thou shalt exact judgment for me from my enemies; and so, from Thy presence let my judgment come forth may mean that Thou wilt exact judgment for me from mine enemies. Thine eyes regard right: Thou seest that with me is right and with them wickedness and violence. And so the greater part of the Psalm has reference to (his) enemies, as he says (infra, 7), "From those that rise up against Thy right hand." And he says (also) (ibid. 9): "From the wicked that spoil me." You see that the Psalm speaks of his enemies, and it was on account of them he was seeking mercy; and he says that God will look upon the uprightness of his deeds and see that his enemies hate him without cause. He says also, Thou hast proved my heart, for Thou dost prove hearts, and knowest if my words are (those of) truth. Thou hast visited me in the night: and in the night – i.e. at a time when a man thinks of so many matters, when he is free from the business of the world and has no work to do – at night and at the time when he is awake and thinks – and Thou hast visited my heart and my thoughts, and hast tried me and found in me only good. And from my thoughts no word has proceeded save only according to the tenor of my heart, as he says: out of no feigned lips; and this is the meaning of I have resolved that my mouth shall not offend. And as I am strict with myself, so I warn others of what I see. This is the meaning of what he says: As for the works of man, by the word of Thy lips: in (the light of) what Thou hast commanded and warned, I am considering the works of man and keeping from them transgressions. And this is the meaning of: I have marked the paths of the violent: I have prevented a man from walking in the paths of the violent and wicked. And similarly, (שמר is used in the verse) "to keep (guard) the way of the tree of life" (Gen. 3:24), "so that one should not walk in it"; so also "the keeper of the park" (Neh. 2:8). After setting forth before God the uprightness of his mouth and heart and deeds, he supplicates God to support his steps lest they stumble before his enemies, and says:
Version: R. David Kimhi on the first book of Psalms, Translated by R.G. Finch, London, 1919
Source: https://www.nli.org.il/he/books/NNL_ALEPH002055445
License: Public Domain