תהלים, פרק ל׳, פסוק ו׳

The relationship between humanity and God experiences constant shifts, yet divine kindness ultimately overpowers moments of hardship. The primary approach among commentators is that God's anger and the resulting punishment are fleeting, lasting only a brief moment. In contrast, when a person regains God's favor, He grants them a long and good life [רש״י, אבן עזרא, רד״ק]. A different perspective focuses on the suddenness of these transitions. In a single moment of divine anger, a person's life and success can vanish entirely, but just as quickly, God's favor can restore them [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. On a deeper level, even during times of anger, God's true intention is never to destroy, but rather to sustain life. Suffering serves to cleanse a person of their sins, ultimately benefiting them [מלבי״ם] by ensuring their full reward and preparing them for the World to Come [מאירי].

The rapid transition from sorrow to joy is vividly reflected in the passage of time from night to day. On a practical level, the evening and the dark night are periods when illness and distress naturally intensify, causing a person to go to sleep in tears and suffering. However, when a person turns away from destructive paths, the morning brings immediate healing, help, and song [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת דוד]. This cycle also serves as a powerful allegory, where the dark evening represents periods of grief and divine punishment, while the bright morning symbolizes salvation and the hopeful message of forgiveness [רד״ק]. Beyond a single day or event, these times of day represent the entirety of human existence. The evening mirrors the current world, a night-like reality where the righteous endure hardship and shed tears. The morning, however, represents the World to Come, a time when they will experience eternal salvation and endless joy [רד״ק, מאירי].