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While it may seem less reassuring, our ancestors over the millennia regularly experienced times when all they had was hope. It could be easy to reflect upon our history as a people and only mention tragedies, which is what Tisha B’av is about. But that is not what Judaism is about. We are about joy, experiencing it personally and sharing it with others. Just as news reports solely concentrate on negatives to the exclusion of any uplift, so too it is easy for us to become caught up in the momentum and be downcast on a daily basis. The Yiddish expression Shver tzu zayn a Yid comes to mind: it is difficult to be a Jew. Whether it is the latest news coming from the Middle East, declarations from European countries, antisemitic words and deeds across the globe, the Yiddish expression seems appropriate. Where is the joy? It is more “oy” than “joy”.

Then comes the beginning of the month of Elul next week, the last month of the lunar calendar. One of the significant changes to our daily worship is the addition of Psalm 27 both morning and night. King David experienced quite a bit in his day in his multiple roles as warrior/king/poet, and the power of the Psalms is that he shared his feelings with us in them. There are Psalms that declare the majesty and glory of God. There are Psalms that reveal great sadness. There are Psalms that express continued faith in God, and Psalm 27 is one of them. Perhaps its timing is perfect for us when we wonder where our hope can come from.

It would be easy to cherry-pick phrases or verses of this Psalm, but instead I encourage you to join us for services and participate in the reading of this Psalm, for it offers just the answer to our longings. King David begins it by expressing complete confidence in God as his protector and savior and asks only one thing of God: to dwell in God’s house all the days of his life. He beseeches God to hear his prayer and answer him. He reminds God (not that God needs reminding) that God has always been with him and seeks that comfort again. 

We don’t know what the exact underpinnings of this Psalm were, at what moment in his life David crafted it, but what is clear is that he was troubled, and sought God’s Divine embrace to comfort and uplift him. Throughout his life, particularly as expressed in the Psalms, David demonstrates his faith in God. Considering all the challenges that he faced, his steadfastness is a model for all of us to emulate. 

David’s conclusion speaks loudly to us today:

Do not abandon me to the will of my foes, for false witnesses have risen against me, purveyors of malice and lies.

Yet I have faith that I shall surely see Adonai’s goodness in the land of the living.

Hope in Adonai. Be strong, take courage, and hope in Adonai. 

He is saying precisely what we are feeling right now, and in times of trouble, we turn our thoughts to the Divine to support us and sustain us. King David’s words continue to resonate with us 3,000 years later.