Psalms Pesharim

The Psalms Pesharim

[Interpretations of the Psalms, chiefly of the thirty-seventh, applied to the righteous and the wicked of the last days; preserved in fragments.]

“Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of evildoers, for they will soon wither like the grass.” The interpretation concerns all who return to the law, who do not refuse to turn from their evil; for all who are stubborn in turning from their sin will be cut off.

“The meek shall inherit the land and delight in abundance of peace.” The interpretation concerns the congregation of the poor, who will accept the appointed time of affliction and be delivered from all the snares of Belial; afterward they will delight in all the bounty of the land, and grow fat in everything men desire.

“The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him; the LORD laughs at him, for he sees that his day is coming.” The interpretation concerns the ruthless ones of the covenant in the house of Judah, who plot to destroy those who keep the law in the council of the community; but God will not abandon them into their hand.

“The wicked watches for the righteous and seeks to put him to death; the LORD will not abandon him to his power.” The interpretation concerns the Wicked Priest, who watched for the Teacher of Righteousness and sought to put him to death; but God will repay him, giving him into the hand of the ruthless of the nations to execute judgment upon him. [Text missing]

[Fragment breaks here]