Small tidbits and Sparks of wisdom

Psalms 33:17–18

> שֶׁקֶר הַסּוּס לִתְשׁוּעָה
וּבְרֹב חֵילוֹ לֹא יְמַלֵּט.
הִנֵּה עֵין יְהוָה אֶל־יְרֵאָיו, לַמְיַחֲלִים לְחַסְדּוֹ.

“Horses are a false hope for deliverance;
for all their great power they provide no escape.
Truly, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
who wait for His faithful care.”

️ A Warning Before the March

Psalm 33 is not describing the failure of a man who already chased power — it’s trying to stop him before he starts. David HaMelech is speaking to the idealistic man at the beginning of his journey, before he enters the battlefield of ego, money, and strength.

He’s warning:

> “Don’t be fooled by power. Hashem does not desire that path. What He wants is your fear of Him, your submission, and your trust — right now, before you build, before you conquer.”

The message is clear:

Don’t base your strategy for success on strength.

Don’t use might as your foundation for security.

Build your life on yiras shamayim and emunah, and let Hashem build the rest.

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 Psalms 147:10–11

> לֹא בִגְבוּרַת הַסּוּס יֶחְפָּץ, לֹא בְשׁוֹקֵי הָאִישׁ יִרְצֶה.
רוֹצֶה יְהוָה אֶת־יְרֵאָיו, אֶת־הַמְיַחֲלִים לְחַסְדּוֹ.

“He does not prize the strength of horses, nor value the fleetness of men.
But the LORD values those who fear Him, those who depend on His faithful care.”

 A Redirection After Success

Psalm 147 is not directed at a man standing at the crossroads. It speaks to the man who already built the empire, already ran the war, already carries the medals. The strong, the wealthy, the successful.

This Psalm comes with a different message:

> “Even now — after all you’ve accomplished — that’s still not what Hashem desires. Your strength is irrelevant unless you realign your heart with yiras shamayim and bitachon.”

This is teshuvah for the merchant, for the man who didn’t listen to Psalm 33, who became something, but now must become someone — someone with soul.

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⚖️ Side-by-Side: Before vs. After

Psalm Timing Condition Divine Message Outcome

Psalm 33 Before building strength Innocent, untested, choosing a path Don’t start with strength. Build with fear of God and trust. Prevention
Psalm 147 After achieving might Wealthy, powerful, perhaps proud Your strength is meaningless unless coupled with fear of God and hope in His kindness. Redirection

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 Conclusion: The Merchant Band

Life often divides people into two bands:

1. Those standing at the gate of ambition — the merchant before the trade, the warrior before the battle.

2. Those who already gained might — the merchant after the profit, the soldier after the campaign.

Psalm 33 speaks to the first:

> “Don’t begin with strength — begin with faith.”

Psalm 147 speaks to the second:

> “Even after all your strength, Hashem still seeks only your awe and your hope in Him.”

Whether you’re just entering the world, or already a titan within it, the message remains the same:

> Hashem desires not your horsepower — but your humility.
Not your fleetness — but your fear.
Not your pride — but your prayer.