A Psalm,

a song for the inauguration of the Temple,

by Dovid.¹

footnotes: ¹ Since it was Shlomo who built the Temple, why is its inauguration attributed to Dovid? Rashi explains: Dovid composed the song which would be sung at the inauguration later, in Shlomo’s days.

I will exalt You, Adonoy,

for You have upheld me,²

footnotes: ² Radak writes that the Hebrew word דִלִיתָנִי is an expression used to describe either a downtrodden or an uplifted state. The downtrodden state of the Jewish people is actually part of their uplifting says the Sfas Emes, as it is said, “when I was brought low, He delivered me” (Tehillim 116:6). “My downtrodden state was the cause of my salvation,” proclaims Dovid, just as when one lowers a bucket (דְלִי) into a well in order to bring up the water.

and not let my foes rejoice over me.

Adonoy, my God,

I cried out to You, and You healed me.

Adonoy, You have raised

my soul from the lower world.

You have kept me alive,

lest I descend to the Pit.

Sing to Adonoy, [you,] His pious ones,

and give thanks to His Holy Name.³

footnotes: ³ The literal translation of זֵכֶר קָדְשׁו is His ‘holy remembrance,’ but it refers to His Name; for the titles we bestow upon Him are our means of remembering Him.—Radak

For His anger lasts only a moment,⁴

footnotes: ⁴ A moment is a measure of time. Hashem’s anger is limited to time (be it long or short) but Hashem’s favor is unlimited.—Sfas Emes

but there is [long] life, in His conciliation.

In the evening, one retires weeping,

but in the morning there is [a cry of] joy!

I said, in my serenity,

I would never be moved.

[But,] Adonoy, it was Your will [alone]

that established my mountain

as a stronghold.

When You concealed Your Presence,

I was terrified.

To You, Adonoy, I called,

and my Master I beseeched.

What gain is there

in [the shedding of] my blood?

In my going down to destruction?

Will the dust acknowledge You?

Will it proclaim Your truth?

Hear [me] Adonoy, and be gracious to me,

Adonoy, be a help to me.

You have turned my mourning into dancing,

You have loosened my sackcloth

and supported me with joy.

In order that my soul⁵ might sing to You

footnotes: ⁵ The literal translation of כָבוד is glory. Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz explained that the soul is called כָבוד because its only function is to give glory to Hashem.

and not be stilled,

Adonoy, my God, forever will I thank You.