This week’s Tehillim looks prophetically ahead to the destruction of the Beit Hamikdash and the its eventual restoration in the times of Mashiach. The psalm begins with the words ‘Lamnatzeach al machalas- for the conductor on the machalas.’  A machalas was a musical instrument, which was used in the Beit Hamikdash.

Alternatively, according to Rashi it can also be a reference to the affliction that would befall the Jews when the Beit Hamikdash was eventually destroyed. People often lose heart over the fact that there are so many corrupt and wicked people in the world who go around acting despicably but appear to go unpunished.

However the Psalmist assures us that nothing goes unnoticed in heaven, and that even though G-d is infinitely exalted, He does indeed thoroughly examine the ways of Man. ‘Do they not realize those doers of evil, who devour my people  as they would devour bread, that G-d will call them?’

Hashem will always look after the righteous people in the world and ultimately we will merit to see the last verse of this Psalm be fulfilled, where we return to the Beit Hamikdash and Jacob will exalt, Amen.