1)

What is the meaning of "Al Mus"?

1.

Rashi: Some say that it is Al Mes. (Radak - David said this Mizmor when Laben died.) Refer to 9:1:2:1-2, 7-10.

2.

Rashi, from Mesores ha'Gedolah: [Almus] is one word. The Mesores connects this word "v'Hu Yenahagenu Al Mus" (48:15; some say that there, Al Mus is one word). Rashi - I say that Almus is youth. Refer to 9:1:2:4.

3.

Rashi citing Menachem: Almus is the name of a Kli [Shir] - "Al Alamus Shir" (46:1). Refer to 9:1:2:5. Radak - also elsewhere, we find two words that are one - "Pekach Ko'ach" (Yeshayah 61:1 - release the incarceration), Yefe Fiyah (Yirmeyah 46:20), "li'G'ei Yonim" (below, 123:4; the haughty afflicters).

2)

Who (or what) is "[Al Mus] Laben"?

1.

Rashi: Some say that it is [the death of] Bno Avshalom 1 .

2.

Rashi: Some say that it is Naval 2 . Radak - Ibn Ezra says that David sang this after Naval died.

3.

Rashi citing Pesikta d'Rav Kahana, Zechor 15: It discusses Amalek and Esav - "Ga'arta Goyim


1

Rashi: This cannot be. If so, it should say ha'Ben, and not Laben! There is no support in this Mizmor for this Perush.

2

Rashi: There is no support for this Perush. There is no justification to switch the letters of "Laben" to Naval. Radak - the Mizmor discusses one who did evil to Yisrael. Naval did not do evil, just he was stingy! The Mizmor implies that it discusses Galyus.

3

Rashi: I disagree.

4

Rashi: I disagree.

5

To identify; Lamed, Beis or Kaf with a Patach is like Hei ha'Yedi'ah. (PF)

3)

Why did David compose this Mizmor?

1.

Malbim: It shows that even though it looks like Laben (refer to 9:1:2:10) fell naturally, it was miraculous Hashgachah. He was snared in the pit that he prepared for David. It is as if Hashem was silent until He judged him, when he fought David. Then He returned his deeds on Laben's head, also for the nations and cities that he destroyed. At the end, David prays that when Hashem wants to punish the nations, it will not be via a man who will say that 'I did so with my hand's strength', rather, Hashem Himself should punish them. This way, all will recognize that Hashem rules over all, and people will cease to be brazen opposite Hashem. David complained in Mizmor 10 about the success of people who destroy lands, that Hashem delays His anger, and via this people deny His Hashgachah and this weakens Torah and Mishpat is not done.

Sefer: Perek: Pasuk:

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