תהלים, פרק ק״א, פסוק ח׳

The pursuit of a just and pure society demands a relentless, daily war against corruption. True justice requires more than a single action; it is a continuous, ongoing effort to cleanse the public and spiritual spaces from all destructive influences. The primary approach among commentators is that this cleansing happens constantly, every single day, with the ultimate goal of completely removing evildoers from Jerusalem, the city of God.

The focus on the morning hours carries several layers of meaning. From a practical standpoint, the morning is the traditional and proper time for holding court and administering justice [אבן עזרא]. It also reflects a sense of urgency and determination to remove the wicked swiftly, ensuring none remain [מצודת דוד]. At the same time, this daily routine can be seen as a gradual process of purification, where the wicked are steadily eliminated day by day [רש״י]. Furthermore, acting early in the day serves a powerful educational purpose. Because this is the time when people leave their homes to go about their business, carrying out public justice ensures maximum visibility. This widespread awareness strikes fear into the hearts of the public and encourages sinners to repent before they face a similar fate [אלשיך].

The scope of this justice is viewed in different ways. Some maintain that the punishment will reach all wicked individuals wherever they are, with a special emphasis on thoroughly purifying Jerusalem [רד״ק]. Others focus more narrowly, suggesting that the target is specifically those among the Israelites whose severe actions warrant the ultimate penalty [רש״י].

Looking through a broader historical and spiritual lens, this daily eradication of evil points toward a future vision. In this view, the dawn does not refer to an ordinary daily sunrise, but rather to the dawn of the Messianic era and the resurrection of the dead. Until that hoped-for time, God shows patience toward the wicked nations of the world. He uses these nations as instruments of punishment to discipline and remove the evildoers from among the Israelites within His city. This process will continue until a spirit of purity rests upon the world from above, and evil is completely destroyed [אלשיך].