Tehillim Tools: The Three Weeks: 119:39

“Turn away my humiliation which I dread, because Your mandates are good (Psalms 119:39).” My greatest humiliation is that I dread or fear anything other than You, especially when Your mandates are so good and life giving (Rishpei Aish #54)

“And among those nations you will not be tranquil, there will be no rest for the sole of your foot; there God will give you a trembling heart, longing of eyes, and suffering of soul. Your life will hang in the balance, and you will be frightened night and day, and you will not be sure of your livelihood. In the morning you will say, “Who can give back last night!” And in the evening you will say, “Who can give back this morning!” For the fright of your heart that you will fear and the sight of your eyes that you will see (Devarim 28:65–67).”

Why? “Because you did not serve God, your Lord, amid gladness and goodness of heart, when everything was abundant (Verse 47).”

This is exactly the issue addressed in the commentary to the verse above: “My greatest humiliation is that I dread or fear anything other than You, especially when Your mandates are so good and life giving.” We can use this verse and the commentary during theThree Weeks to remind ourselves that we can free ourselves of fear by serving God with gladness, goodness of heart, and a sense of abundance.