Ashrei 25
Summary - Part 2
ועזוז נוראותיך יאמרו, וגדולתך אספרנה
Most of the world’s population will speak of Hashem’s awesome power – ועזוז נוראותיך יאמרו. However, David HaMelech says, I will speak of the great chesed of Hashem – וגדולתך אספרנה – since these awesome acts were performed for the benefit of those who love Him.
זכר רב טובך יביעו, וצדקתך ירננו
Through hearing David HaMelech speak in this manner, the general world population will come to understand that awesome punishments were for their benefit. They will then express the great good that Hashem performed for them when He brought these awesome punishments for the benefit of those who love His Name.
On a personal level, David HaMelech says, I will praise and thank Hashem in the midst of the dark period, because I know – right now – at this dark moment – that it is for my best.
חנון ורחום ה’, ארך אפים וגדל חסד
רחום refers to Hashem’s compassion towards us in not punishing us through strict judgment, and saving us from tzaros. חנון can mean favor or a free, undeserved gift (from חנם). When we plead to Hashem, recognizing that we are completely undeserving, that brings us closer to Him.
Hashem, in His mercy, delays His anger (ארך אפים). He does not punish us immediately, but rather allows even the wicked time to return to Him.
וגדל חסד refers to Hashem’s constant chesed, which goes beyond that which we deserve.
טוב ה’ לכל, ורחמיו על כל מעשיו
Hashem extends His goodness to all (לכל).
We should do our best to fulfill the mitzvah of following in Hashem’s path. Just as Hashem has רחמים for all of His creations, let us have רחמים for all of His creations and for Hashem.
יודוך ה’ כל מעשיך, וחסידיך יברכוכה
Some interpret מעשיך to include man, but only those who are not involved in Torah, while וחסידיך refers to those involved in Torah who have the merit to be able to make formal brachos, or to just the chasidim within klal Yisrael who constantly spend time contemplating Hashem’s creations and all the good Hashem bestows upon us. Each time we make a brachah, we recognize that Hashem is the source of all blessings and goodness.
כבוד מלכותך יאמרו, וגבורתך ידברו
להודיע לבני האדם גבורתיו, וכבוד הדר מלכותו
The chasidim like David HaMelech, and those he spoke about at the end of the previous pasuk, see all of nature and everything that happens in the world and in their personal lives as coming directly from Hashem.
They will speak (יאמרו) about כבוד מלכותך, which represents Hashem’s control over nature and all that happens that appears to us as ordinary. וגבורתך ידברו means that they will speak to others about Hashem’s actions that are extraordinary – “להודיע לבני האדם גבורתיו.” Recognizing Hashem through His power in causing miracles and extraordinary events, the people who are not on the level of chasidim will now understand that the natural events – “וכבוד הדר מלכותו” – and all that happens constantly is from Hashem as well.
מלכותך מלכות כל עולמים, וממשלתך בכל דור ודור
מלכות refers to a kingship that is desired by the people, while ממשלה refers to one who rules even against the desire of the people. This difference ofמלך vs. מושל will cease in the future when all the world will recognize Hashem willingly as King.
The term כל עולמים is used when referring to מלכותך, since both in the present (for us) and in the future (for all), Hashem is The King who is willingly accepted and desired. Conversely, right now until Mashiach, Hashem is a “ruler-not-desired” over the nations. Since this is a temporary state, David HaMelech says בכל דור ודור, which refers to the generations until Mashiach comes.