Tehillim 30 – Mordechai’s Prayer with Esther and 22,000 Students
Tehillim 30 – Mordechai’s Prayer with Esther and 22,000 Students
When Haman came to Mordechai with garments and a horse and declared, “This is what is done for the man whom the king wishes to honor,” the first thing Mordechai did was begin reciting Psalm 30.
Mordechai recited the psalm of David that David HaMelech had composed when he prepared the funds for the building of the Temple. As the Midrash says, he foresaw that these funds would protect the Jewish people from the calamity financed by Haman’s money.
To thwart Haman’s plan—he had given 10,000 talents of silver to the treasury of Achashverosh—David reminded the Almighty of another 10,000 talents of silver, which the leaders of the Jewish people had donated at his call for the needs of the future Temple in Yerushalayim. The Holy Spirit inspired David HaMelech with the words of this psalm, and later inspired Mordechai and Esther as well.
The verses of this psalm were recited in turn by Mordechai, Esther, Mordechai’s 22,000 students, and Haman:
1. When Mordechai mounted the horse, he recited:
- “I will exalt You, O L-rd, for You have raised me up and have not allowed my enemies to rejoice over me. O L-rd, my G-d! I cried out to You, and You healed me. O L-rd, You brought my soul up from the grave; You preserved me in life, that I should not descend into the pit.” (Tehillim 30:2–4)
2. Esther recited:
- “To You, O L-rd, I called, and to the L-rd I pleaded. What gain is there in my blood if I descend to the grave? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth?” (Tehillim 30:9–11)
3. The children (Mordechai’s 22,000 students) recited:
- “Sing to the L-rd, His pious ones, and give thanks to His holy Name, for His anger lasts but a moment, while life comes through His favor; weeping may linger for the evening, but joy comes in the morning.” (Tehillim 30:5–6)
4. Haman ha-rasha recited:
- “As for me, I said in my tranquility, ‘I shall never falter.’ O L-rd, through Your favor You established my mountain as a stronghold. You concealed Your face; I became terrified.” (Tehillim 30:7–8)
5. The community of Israel then recited:
- “Hear, O L-rd, and be gracious to me. [O L-rd, be my helper.] You have transformed my mourning into dancing; [You have loosened my sackcloth and girded me with joy].” (Tehillim 30:11–13)
6. The Holy Spirit said:
- “So that my glory may sing to You and not be silent! O L-rd, my G-d, I will thank You forever.” (Tehillim 30:13)
(from the book “Midrash Rabbah,” “Esther Rabbah,” 10:5)
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Tags: The Hidden Meaning of Tehillim, Tehillim 30, Tehillim 30 on the Fast of Esther, Jewish Holidays, Mordechai's Prayer
