How Do We Say “L’Dovid Ori” (God Will Protect Me) In a Year When He Didn’t?

Everyday during the month of Elul, the month proceeding the days of Awe, we say the following chapter of psalms that begins with L’dovid Hashem Ori:

Of David, The LORD is my light and my help;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life,
whom should I dread?

When evil men assail me
to devour my flesh—
it is they, my foes and my enemies,
who stumble and fall.

Should an army besiege me,
my heart would have no fear;
should war beset me,
still would I be confident.

One thing I ask of the LORD,
only that do I seek:
to live in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD,
to frequent His temple.

He will shelter me in His pavilion
on an evil day,
grant me the protection of His tent,
raise me high upon a rock.

Now is my head high
over my enemies round about;
I sacrifice in His tent with shouts of joy,
singing and chanting a hymn to the LORD

Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud;
have mercy on me, answer me.

In Your behalf my heart says:
“Seek My face!”
O LORD, I seek Your face.

Do not hide Your face from me;
do not thrust aside Your servant in anger;
You have ever been my help.
Do not forsake me, do not abandon me,
O God, my deliverer.

Though my father and mother abandon me,
the LORD will take me in.

Show me Your way, O LORD,
and lead me on a level path
because of my watchful foes.

Do not subject me to the will of my foes,
for false witnesses and unjust accusers
have appeared against me.

Had I not the assurance
that I would enjoy the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living…

Look to the LORD;
be strong and of good courage!
O look to the LORD!

During an Elul post-October 7, how can these words not hit differently? How can we not wonder where God was on October 7 itself or in the months since then, when our hostages are not back, hundreds more soldiers have fallen in battle, and rockets and terror attacks have claimed more Israeli lives?

Perhaps because there are moments in life when we feel God’s presence, guiding and protecting us, and other times when we wonder, “Where are You?” Sometimes, that sense of Divine protection feels distant. The month of Elul is a time to remind God that we desire a relationship in which His presence is so clear, where we see Him in everything.

In this month we are striving to bring that closeness into reality. This is how prayer works: by speaking it into existence, we align ourselves with that vision and move toward it. Then Hashem moves towards us. L’dovid Hashem Ori reminds us that God is here, all around us, stepping forward to greet us as we invite Him into our lives.

This past year may have left many feeling betrayed or abandoned by God, but for me, while I long for His presence, what I crave most is His comfort—His closeness. And that feeling of closeness and comfort is something I can surround myself with and ground myself no matter what war is raging on outside, no matter what the circumstances of life bring my way. If I merit to be sheltered in Hashem’s pavilion and guarded in His tent, then I can face whatever this year and beyond brings my way.

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