Rabbi Roodyn

The Malbim continues to explain that an awareness of Hashem and His hashgacha can take place in one of two ways.

Firstly, recognising His specific actions through paying attention to the big picture. Through looking at the universe it is self-evident that existence could not have created itself and that there must be a Creator Who brought it all into existence. Through this one can also look at Hashem’s specific actions and see how all the details of creation are arranged with such incredible wisdom, kindness and mercy for all of His creations.

From this it is clear that not only is Hashem the Creator of the universe, but also that He sustains it on a constant basis. This level of awareness is available to all of humanity, so the psalmist calls on all of mankind לרנן לה’ תחילה to sing praises to Hashem, as the four letter name of Hashem refers to His interaction with all of creation as a Creator. This recognition of Hashem as creator leads one to appreciate His hashgacha and involvement in the world. This is why the pasuk concludes נריעה לצור ישענו, let us call out to the rock of our salvation, which is a clear reference to hashgacha.

This leads on to the next pasuk that starts  נקדמה פניו בתודה’Let us greet His Presence with thanksgiving,’ which is a second level of awareness that is unique to the Jewish people. Only we are able to recognise Hashem’s hashgacha pratis that is an intrinsic part of who we are. Hashem’s constant providence, at times through nature and at other times downright miraculous are a clear sign to us that He is intimately involved in running this world.

Through this hashgacha it is evident that He is the Creator, for who else can break the laws of nature at will? This is why Hashem introduced Himself to us at Mount Sinai by saying ‘I am Hashem your G-d Who took you out of the land of Egypt’. The Kuzari and others point out that He could have said ‘Who created the heavens and the earth,’  which is surely a greater feat than the Exodus. The reason why the Exodus is mentioned is because it is specifically through His providence and miracles that He has become known to us.