What do we learn from "Ashrei Adam Mefached Tamid [u'Maksheh Libo Yipol b'Ra'ah]"?
Gitin 55b: Yerushalayim was destroyed through the enmity between Kamtza and Bar Kamtza. Tur Malka was destroyed due to a rooster and a hen. Beitar was destroyed due to a carriage wheel. (People were adamant, and did not fear the consequences.)
Rashi: One should fear punishment, and distance from sin.
Sha'arei Teshuvah 1:20: Even if one is "Modeh v'Ozev" (13), he should always worry, lest he did not complete the obligation of Teshuvah. He should invigorate himself every day to reach new levels, and fear lest his Yetzer ha'Ra be renewed against him, and guard from it constantly. He should pray to Hashem to help him to repent and save him from his Yetzer.
Orchos Tzadikim (Sha'ar ha'De'agah DH veha'Mashal): Even if now one is a total Tzadik, he should worry lest he come to sin.
Mesilas Yesharim (Perakim 4, 24): The end of Midas Zehirus is Yir'as Chet, which is among the most praiseworthy Midos. He is constantly worried lashed he has a sin that blocks him from perfection. Even when he does not see the stumbling block, he must fear lest it is hidden for his feet [to trip on], and he will not beware of it.
Malbim: Refer to 28:14:3:3.
Who is "u'Maksheh Libo Yipol b'Ra'ah"?
Sha'arei Teshuvah 1:20: He says in his heart 'I completed the obligation of Teshuvah!' I need not strive to reach new levels of Teshuvah and increase fear in my Nefesh. He will be punished; he will fall in the hand of his Yetzer ha'Ra.
Malbim: He hardens his heart. He sees that he is afflicted, and there is what to fear, yet he hardens his heart, like Pharaoh. He will fall in evil, and not rise.
Here it says "Ashrei Adam Mefached Tamid." It says also "Pachadu v'Tziyon Chata'im" and "Ki Fachad Pachadti va'Ye'esayeni va'Asher Yagorti Yavo Li"!
Brachos 60a: One should fear only about Divrei Torah (lest he forget).
R. Yonah (3:26): We find that Tzadikim feared sin - "va'Yira Yakov Me'od va'Yetzer Lo" (Bereishis 32:8), "Eich Elech v'Shama Sha'ul va'Haragani 1 " (Shmuel I, 16:2)! Know that Bitachon is not mixing in Safek. E.g. a worker who trusts in the king and toils with all his strength in Simchah, amidst trust in the king. He knows that he will pay the full wage. One who trusts in Hashem, even if he finds many great afflictions. he invigorates himself in Avodas Hashem. He trusts that Hashem will choose the good for him. If Hashem rebukes him in this world, this is good for him, to remove his sin and bring him close to Hashem, and to greaten his share in the world of recompense 2 .
Malbim: Poched (simple conjugation, a real fear) is a sign that he sins. Mefached (Pi'el conjugation) is when there is nothing to fear, just he makes himself afraid. Even though his heart is sure that he did not sin, he makes himself fear for the future, lest he sin. Via this, he guards from sin and weighs his ways.
These verses seem to discuss fearing people. Below, R. Yonah explains that Yakov really feared sin [and the same applies to Shmuel]. (PF)
R. Yonah: Serenity of this world is not important. Man's days are like a fleeting shadow. At the end, it is as if it was not. "Va'Ani Amarti l'Rik Yagati" (Yeshayah 49:4) - I said about the many afflictions, I toiled for nothing; sins outweighed merits. However, it is not so. Afflictions are for my good, and wages for my work will be complete - "Hine Secharo Ito u'Fe'ulaso Lefanav" (ibid., 40:10). His reward is guarded; he hopes for also Peros in this world. Also hope is called Bitachon - "Mi Asher Yechubar El Kol ha'Chayim Yesh Bitachon" (Koheles 9:4). I.e. there is hope to improve his deeds, for he knows and trusts that the living can choose the good path, therefore there is hope while he is alive. There is hope from Bitachon in Sechar of Avodah - this coin is for Tzedakah, in order that my son will live (Pesachim 8a-b), tithe in order to get rich (Shabbos 119a). However, the reward is guaranteed for the world to come. There is no guarantee in this world - "va'Yira Yakov Me'od." There is also hope from Bitachon in His Gevurah - "Ulai Ya'aseh Hashem Osanu k'Chol Nifle'osav" (Yirmeyah 21:2).
