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Ach Tzadikim

Indeed, the righteous will extol Your Name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.¹²³

This verse concludes a very moving Psalm of David (FOOTNOTE Psalm 140), in which King David prays for the deliverance from the wicked and declares that "G-d is the strength of my salvation." Indeed, it is a fitting conclusion for each of our daily prayers.

The Marhashal writes that one should say the verse. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi teaches that one should not rush out after prayer. Instead, he should learn a portion from Tanach.

Rashi states: "G-d will fulfill our request to erase the wicked from the earth, then the righteous will praise him."

The M'sudas Dovid explains the righteous will praise You for they dwell in Your presence. The wicked however, will be wiped out.

The Ibn Ezra explains: "the reason that it states, "Indeed the righteous..." is because only the righteous praise Your Name, the wicked do not offer any praise."

The Radak says when G-d metes out punishment to only the wicked, the righteous will give thanks to G-d's name.

The Tefillos Dovid states: "only the righteous are on the level to extol Your Name. The upright will dwell in Your presence, for there will be a time when they, too, will feel the glory of G-d."

The Me'am Lo'ez explains the righteous know that slight is their praise and thanksgiving, compared to how much it is possible to praise G-d. This is unlike the deliverance in the time of Mordechai and Esther. During the reign of Ahassuerus they could not recite Hallel, for they remained in bondage under him. In the times of the Messiah, the righteous will merit to recite the Hallel hymn.

We the Jewish people, of whom the prophet Isaiah said, "And Your people will all be righteous...,"¹²⁴ shall always give thanks to G-d, especially when the exile will come to an end, and we shall dwell in G-d's manifest presence.

The Sforno describes the upright as those who have perfected their character through assiduous Torah study. Every fiber of their being is permeated with Torah and the pursuit of Mitzvos wholeheartedly. These men will be among those who are inscribed for life in Jerusalem, when Moshiach comes and they will be prepared to greet the redeemer, may he come speedily in our days.

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