A profound crisis of faith often brings deep emotional turmoil. Looking back at a time of intense confusion, a person might recall the painful feelings that took hold when witnessing the success of the wicked, long before finding clarity and understanding God's justice.
The initial emotional reaction to this crisis is a profound sourness within the heart. The primary approach among commentators is that this state reflects deep bitterness, anger, and a complete lack of sweetness, as the mind cannot find a single pleasant thought to calm its confusion [רד״ק, מצודת ציון, אבן עזרא, שטיינזלץ, מצודת דוד]. This bitterness can be so overwhelming that it affects every part of a person's inner life, souring both the good and evil inclinations in the face of the tranquility of the wicked [אלשיך]. Others suggest this feeling conveys a sense of distorted and tortured justice [אבן עזרא בשם ר' משה]. Conversely, a different perspective views this process not as negative bitterness, but as a stage of purity and refinement, where the heart is cleansed and its ideas are purified [מלבי״ם].
As the emotional storm rages, the internal focus shifts to the kidneys, which are understood in biblical thought as the center of human counsel, deep thought, and private introspection [רד״ק, מאירי, שטיינזלץ]. This internal processing is described through imagery of extreme sharpness, like a sword or an arrow, which can be understood in several ways. For some, it represents acute physical and mental pain, a feeling of being pierced and wounded by heavy sorrow and relentless thoughts [רש״י, שטיינזלץ]. Another approach sees this sharpness as a description of intense mental effort. It is an internal debate where the mind is sharpened, searching desperately for the right insight to solve the mystery of God's ways [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, מאירי, מלבי״ם].
This sharp internal focus also takes the form of a spiritual struggle. The inner thoughts act as sharpened arrows fighting against negative urges, working to provide good counsel and prevent a total loss of faith in God's providence [אלשיך]. Ultimately, through this intense internal reflection and mental sharpening, a vital lesson is learned: a deep recognition of human limitations in understanding how God guides the world [מלבי״ם].