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Song of the Day, Night and the Legions of Heaven

G-d proclaims that all of Creation is for His glory, "Everyone who is called by My Name and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have fashioned, even perfected" (Yeshyahu 43:7)

יוֹם אוֹמֵר - Day Says:

Tehillim 19:3

יוֹם לְיוֹם יַבִּיעַ אֹמֶר וְלַיְלָה לְּלַיְלָה יְחַוֶּה-דָּעַת

Yom leyom yabia omer velaila lelaila yechave-daat

Day to day utters speech and night to night expresses knowledge.

The works of Creation are renewed day by day.  In the evening the sun sets and in the morning it rises, which inspires men to words of praise.  It is as if by teaching man to utter songs of acclaim and thanksgiving, the days and nights themselves "utter speech."

Renewal of Creation every day makes it plain that this pattern cannot be due to chance, and every man perceives this manifestation of G-d's might.

This chapter in Tehillim continues by comparing the rising of the sun with a groom who emerges from his chamber in the morning. The Midrash Tehillim 19 explains the comparison. Just as a groom enters in purity and emerges impure so too the sun goes from purity to impurity. The physical in relation to the spiritual realms is called impure because it cannot exist without the spiritual much like a body is dead without the soul. Each day G-d renews the workings of the Creation and draws new life from the source of life to all the creations. In this context purity represents life that comes from the source of life whereas impurity is the physical Creation without the spiritual.

מַעְיָנוֹת אוֹמְרִים - Streams Say:

Tehillim 87:7

וְשָׁרִים כְּחֹלְלִים כָּל-מַעְיָנַי בָּךְ

vesharim kechollim kal-mayanai bach

And singers and dancers; all My fountains (thoughts) are in you (You).

Included among the excellent features of Tziyon is that it has many "singers and dancers."  For this reason, "all My thoughts" and providence "are in you" - in Tziyon.

Another interpretation says: "All My fountains" of wisdom "are in you."  All the fountains of wisdom that I draw from, are found "in you" - in Tziyon.  Similarly it says, "Therefore with joy will you draw water out of the wells of deliverance" (Yeshayahu 12:3).

In Tziyon are to be found people of many talents, among them singers and dancers.  A related reading says: Even as they dance, they compose songs.

What will both the dancers and singers chant?  They will sing, "All My fountains are in you."  They will declare that I have sealed off all My fountains to prevent their waters from spreading to the gentiles.  Everything should be only "in you."

This also alludes to, "A garden locked is my sister, O bride, a fountain locked, a spring sealed up" (Shir HaShirim 4:12).  The Jewish people have fenced themselves off from becoming assimilated among the nations.

Not only do we acclaim Tziyon, but so do the singers and musicians, and the flute players, who proclaim to everyone that G-d said, "All My" providence and directed "thoughts are in you."  As it says, "A land which HaShem your G-d cares for; the eyes of HaShem your G-d are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year" (Devarim 11:12).

The Midrash says: Said Rabbi Yehudah bar Simon in the name of Rabbi Meir:  Just as the wellspring brings forth new waters every moment, so the people of Yisrael chant songs every moment.  Thus it says, "And singers and dancers; all my fountains are in You."  The Chachamim say: Just as the men chant songs, so do the women chant songs.

A person has to check to see whether or not he is connected to HaShem. “And singers and dancers alike shall say, All my interest is in You.” (Tehillim 87:7) Divine service is attachment to G-d. 

Rashi and Radak both note that "wellsprings" (fountains) represent the outpouring of the inner dimension. Wellsprings bubble with fresh water all day and night. Yisrael, too, never ceases to praise G-d for His goodness and for giving us the privilege of serving Him. Our music is the wellspring embodied in Torah and good deeds.

נְהָרוֹת אוֹמְרִים - Rivers Say:

Tehillim 98:8

נְהָרוֹת יִמְחֲאוּ-כָף יַחַד הָרִים יְרַנֵּנוּ

neharot yimchau-chaf yachad harim yeranenu

Let the floods (rivers) clap hands; let mountains rejoice in song together.

The Scripture refers here to the Messianic Age, of which it says, "May he have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth" (v72:8).  At that time, the sea will "roar" out of much gladness, and so will "the world, and they who dwell therein."

"Let the rivers clap hands." Those who dwell by the rivers will clap hands out of great happiness.  Similarly, the Scripture says, "They clapped their hands, and said: 'Long live the king!'" (Melachim Bet 11:12).

"Let the mountains rejoice in song together."  If until now some trees were barren and only the fruit-bearing trees rejoiced in song (cf. v96:12), at the time of the Redemption all trees will bear fruit.  Even barren trees on the "mountains" will "rejoice in song together" with other trees.

It says, "The earth is HaShem's, and the fullness thereof, the world and they who dwell in it.  For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers" (v24:1,2).  Hence the Scripture says here, "Let the seas roar, and its fullness; the world, and they who dwell in it.  Let the rivers clap hands; let mountains rejoice in song together."  This corresponds to, "He sends forth springs into the valleys; they run between the mountains" (v104:10).

The rivers symbolize the multitudes and the mountains are their leaders.  When the people and their leaders are united in serving G-d, they justly clap their hands and sing for joy, for they serve the world and their Creator.