Rabbi Roodyn

י) אִמְרוּ בַגּוֹיִם ה’ מָלָךְ אַף תִּכּוֹן תֵּבֵל בַּל תִּמּוֹט יָדִין עַמִּים בְּמֵישָׁרִים:

Say among the nations, “Hashem has reigned.” Also the inhabited world will be established so that it will not falter; He will judge peoples with equity.

The Malbim explains that is pasuk is informing us of our responsibility to inform the nations of the world that Hashem’s reign over the world means that He has not delegated His control to any other force or power.

At this point they will come to the recognition that all that we call nature, is in fact one long series of hidden miracles, directed by Hashem’s providential Hand. As such, the laws of nature are not set in stone and are actually a tool of Divine Providence, hashgacha.

The idea contained within this pasuk is the basic theme of the second paragraph of the Shema. The notion of reward and punishment in the Shema is not that plentiful rainfall and bountiful harvests are the reward for mitzvos. Mitzvos connect us to the Infinite, and as such the reward or result of their performance is far greater than anything that could possibly be contained within this finite world. However the consequence of our observance of the mitzvos is that Hashem will create an environment more conducive for us to perform even more mitzvos.

Put simply, Hashem’s hashgacha is His response to our bechira, free choice. The Malbim therefore connects the two parts of the pasuk. Hashem’s judgment i.e. hashgacha will work alongside the laws of nature and circumvent them if need be. Nature will be directed by the Creator to serve those who serve Him and to work against those who do not.