Song of the Soul’s Mastery

במדרש שיר השירים.

In the Midrash on the Song of Songs.

The Sefat Emet opens by citing the Midrash as the basis for his teaching.

נשיר למי שעשאנו שרים בעולם

“We will sing to the One who made us princes (or singers) in the world.”

This phrase highlights that God grants humans the capacity and authority to offer song in creation.

עפ"י מה ששמעתי ממו"ר זקני ז"ל ענין פסוקי דזמרה קודם ברכת ק"ש ותפלה שהוא ליתן שיר ושבח ע"ז שזוכין לסדר שבחיו של הקב"ה.

As I heard from my master and grandfather of blessed memory: the purpose of the verses of praise (Pesukei deZimra) before the blessings of the Shema and the Amidah is to offer song and praise for the privilege of arranging the praises of the Holy One.

Praising God before prayer prepares a person to recognize that organizing divine praise is itself a great gift.

וזה שיר השירים שנותן שיר בעבור השירים ולשון שררה ג"כ.

And this is “Song of Songs”: one gives a song for the sake of all songs, and the term also implies rulership.

Human song is both the crown of creation’s music and an expression of spiritual mastery.

כי כפי מה שאדם שליט על כל מעשיו וממשיכן אחר הרב"ה. מעורר בחי' שירה שיש בכל הנבראים.

For according to the degree that a person rules over their actions and draws them after the Creator, they awaken the aspect of song present in all creatures.

Human self‑mastery allows the latent praise embedded in creation to be activated.

וזה ענין האומר פרק שירה בכל יום.

And this is the meaning of one who recites Perek Shirah daily.

Reciting Perek Shirah symbolizes aligning oneself with creation’s hidden song.

כי כל השירים תלוין בו ושיר של האדם נקרא שיר השירים כנ"ל.

For all songs depend upon the human being, and the human song is called the “Song of Songs,” as stated above.

Human praise is the apex that draws forth all other forms of cosmic song.

ולכן זמנו בפסח. זמן חירותנו.

Therefore its time is Passover, the season of our freedom.

Passover is the ideal moment for this teaching, because spiritual freedom enables true song.

שהאדם יוצא בו לחירות ואינו תחת היצה"ר לכן עלינו להטות כל הדברים לשמים.

For a person goes free then and is not under the evil impulse; therefore we must direct all things toward Heaven.

Redemption liberates one from inner bondage, allowing one to reorient all actions toward divine service.

וכ' בצאת ישראל ממצרים כו' ישראל ממשלותיו.

And it is written: “When Israel went out of Egypt… Israel His dominions.”

The departure from Egypt enables Israel to draw forth God’s sovereignty over all creation.

פי' שממשיכין מלכותו ית' וממשלתו על כל הבריאה כנ"ל.

Meaning that they draw down His blessed kingship and rule over all creation, as stated above.

Through their song and spiritual freedom, Israel channels divine kingship into the world.

Summary: Human song is the apex of all creation’s praise. Through self‑mastery and spiritual freedom—especially on Passover—one activates the hidden song within all beings and reveals God’s kingship throughout creation.