Tehillim 147:11 – Who Does Hashem Truly Desire?
“רוצה ה’ את יראיו, את המייחלים לחסדו”
“Hashem desires those who fear Him, those who wait for His kindness.”
This verse in Tehillim 147:11 speaks volumes about who truly merits Divine favor. When we explore the explanations of the Malbim and Ibn Ezra, we discover something uncomfortable but necessary: Hashem doesn’t “want” the strong, the wealthy, or the most accomplished. He desires those who wait. Who rely. Who surrender. Who hope with nothing in hand.
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A Tale of Two Men
Let’s examine two individuals who both fear Hashem and keep His mitzvot. Outwardly, they are equal. But their internal world of emunah separates them.
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留 Man A – A humble, God-fearing Jew with no money
(Set in Courier New or visibly styled as simple/blue)
Must marry off a child but has zero savings.
His only recourse is prayer, trust, and hope in Hashem.
He does not manipulate or demand. He waits.
His emunah is not a philosophy — it’s his only option.
This is the person the pasuk directly refers to: “המייחלים לחסדו.”
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Man B – A wealthy, respected, and generous giver, God- fearing
(Styled in Georgia or visibly marked as sophisticated/red)
Gives 20%/50% plus even more to tzedakah an Amazing supporter of correct Shulcha Oruch plus Tzadakah. BUT does he fit above into this posuk??!!
Supports many relatives, yeshivas, communal institutions.
Has a large household and real financial overhead.
Keeps a substantial reserve: “I can’t go to zero.”
Says: “If everyone comes to me, I’ll have nothing left.”
He fears depletion more than he trusts replenishment.
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易 Malbim: The One Who Waits in Powerlessness
The Malbim explains that Hashem desires those who do not rely on effort, calculation, or self-sufficiency — only those who wait for His kindness. Man A fits this exactly. He lives in a space of total dependence, humility, and yearning.
Man B, though faithful and generous, has built a “safe zone.” He gives, but never past the red line. That red line is the wall between him and true bitachon.
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Ibn Ezra: Not Because of Strength
Ibn Ezra adds that Hashem gives sustenance not due to merit or strength, but due to need. Hashem feeds the helpless baby raven — not because it earns it, but because it has no one else.
Man A is that raven. Powerless, but blessed. Man B is not unloved — but he is not waiting for chesed. He’s preloaded with it. That’s not the kind of person this pasuk is praising.
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⚖️ The Rich Man’s Greater Test
Man A is tested by deprivation. Man B is tested by abundance.
And Man B’s test is greater.
He’s not being asked to survive — he’s being asked to imitate Hashem. To give, not just from comfort, but from courage. To risk depletion, trusting Hashem will refill the well.
If he clutches his reserve, saying “What if too many come to me?” — then he may be good, but he is not great. That hesitation is the ceiling on his spiritual growth.
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Summary Table
Man A – Needy Jew
Has nothing, trusts fully
Waits and hopes without strategy
Perfect fit for “המייחלים לחסדו”
Man B – Wealthy Giver
Gives generously but holds back
Fears depletion
Trusts Hashem — but only up to a point
May miss the pasuk’s category unless he dares to fully trust
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What Hashem Truly Wants
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