Rabbi Roodyn

(ה) כִּי יִצְפְּנֵנִי בְּסֻכֹּה בְּיוֹם רָעָה יַסְתִּרֵנִי בְּסֵתֶר אָהֳלוֹ בְּצוּר יְרוֹמְמֵנִי:

(ו) וְעַתָּה יָרוּם רֹאשִׁי עַל אֹיְבַי סְבִיבוֹתַי וְאֶזְבְּחָה בְאָהֳלוֹ זִבְחֵי תְרוּעָה אָשִׁירָה וַאֲזַמְּרָה לה’:

That He will hide me in His tabernacle on the day of calamity; He will conceal me in the secrecy of His tent; He will lift me up on a rock.

And now, my head will be raised over my enemies around me, and I will sacrifice in His tent sacrifices with joyous song; I will sing and chant praise to Hashem.

David Hamelech continues and says. Once I have expressed my deepest desire to dwell in the House of Hashem, this becomes a source of tremendous security for me.

Hashem will be my shade and my fortress so that no enemy can attack me.

Moreover, since I have developed a sense of confidence in Hashem’s protection, I will raise up my head above my enemies that surround me.

And like one who has vanquished his enemies, I will offer up זבחי תרועה, thanksgiving offerings to Hashem.

Since I have such confidence in Hashem’s protection, my dwelling in His tent is considered to be as if I have both fought and emerged victorious.

And because of this I sing to Hashem.

The very existence of the Jewish nation as Hashem’s people is testimony to Hashem’s presence and providence in this world. Rav Yaakov Emden famously writes that the survival of the Jewish people throughout this long and difficult exile is a miracle greater than the Exodus from Egypt.

Although like David Hamelech, we realise that there is most certainly a time to wage war to protect ourselves , we have never prided ourselves on being a nations of warriors. rather as the prophet says לא בחיל ולא בכח כי אם ברוחי, Not by military force and not by physical strength, but by My spirit,’ says the L-rd of Hosts.

This greatness of spirit is palpable during the days of the Yamim Noraim. Observant Jews deepen their connection and performance of Torah and Mitzvos and even those who are ostensibly less observant up their game at this time.

This is the greatness of spirit of those who spend time in the בית ה׳  during this time of year.

This is the true source of our security.