Broken Hearted

“Offerings to God are a broken spirit…” (Psalms 51:19). Rabbi Abba bar Yudan said: Everything that the Holy One blessed be He deemed unfit in an animal He deemed fit in a person. He deemed unfit in an animal: “Blind, broken, maimed, or with a wart” (Leviticus 22:22), but He deemed fit in a person: “A broken and crushed heart” (Psalms 51:19).
Rabbi Alexandri said: The layman, if he uses broken utensils, it is demeaning for him. But the vessels of the Holy One blessed be He are broken, as it is stated: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted” (Psalms 34:19); “He heals the brokenhearted” (Psalms 147:3); “[I dwell in the high and holy place, with] the downtrodden and the humble” (Isaiah 57:15); “Offerings to God are a broken spirit.”

You have taken an account of my numerous places of wandering. Put my tears in Your flask, that is, take note of them and value them. There is a play on words here: The Hebrew word for both “wandering” and “flask” is nod. Indeed, keep them in Your reckoning.

Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death: This phrase apparently refers to a vale that is accessed by a dangerous path, surrounded by pitfalls or perilous cliffs. Even when I traverse such a place, I fear no evil. I walk with confidence, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, instruments used by the shepherd to guide the flock, gently prodding those that stray back to the proper path, they comfort me.

whom I have taken for Myself from the ends of the earth, and from its noblemen I called you, to leave the domain of these other nations; I said to you: You are My servant, I chose you and did not spurn you during the long exile;