FINDING HASHEM EVERYWHERE
Rebbi Nachman of Breslov reveals a beautiful truth in a passuk from Tehillim 139: “אם אסק שמים שם אתה ואציעה שאול הנך.”
If I ascend to Heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in the lowest depths, behold, You are there. Dovid Hamelech proclaims that no matter where life takes us—our highest highs or our lowest lows—Hashem is always with us.
Let’s unpack this. When we’re “ascending to the Heavens,” experiencing spiritual growth or moments of clarity and connection, it’s easy to feel Hashem’s presence. Those moments when everything seems to click—when the davening flows, the Torah learning feels alive, or we sense a deep gratitude for life—they remind us how close we are to Hashem. It’s inspiring and uplifting. But the deeper message here is about what happens when we’re not in that place.
Dovid Hamelech says, “And if I descend to the depths, You are there.” That’s the game-changer. It’s easy to think that when we’re struggling—whether it’s with faith, motivation, or life itself—we’re somehow disconnected. We might feel distant, lost, or even unworthy of Hashem’s attention. But this passuk reminds us that Hashem is right there with us, even in the darkness.
Rebbi Nachman takes it a step further. He teaches that the very moment we recognize Hashem’s presence, no matter how far we’ve fallen, we’ve already reconnected. That’s huge. You don’t need to climb out of the pit before you can turn to Hashem. The turning itself is the connection. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being real.
Think about what this means in everyday life. We all have ups and downs. There are days we feel inspired, and there are days we’re just trying to get through. Some days, it feels like we’re doing everything right; other days, it feels like we’re stumbling at every turn. This passuk is telling us that Hashem is with us in all of it. Whether we’re flying high or barely holding on, He’s there, waiting for us to acknowledge Him.
And here’s the most empowering part: there’s no such thing as being “too far gone.” Hashem doesn’t write anyone off. The moment you remember He’s with you—even if it’s just for a split second—you’ve already bridged the gap. That recognition is the start of something incredible.
This idea isn’t just comforting; it’s freeing. It means that no matter what’s going on in your life, you’re never truly alone, and it’s never too late to turn things around. Whether you’re celebrating a victory or picking up the pieces after a setback, Hashem is there. And the second you invite Him into the moment, you’ve already transformed it.
Dovid Hamelech’s words are a reminder that connection with Hashem isn’t limited to perfect circumstances or to perfect people. It’s available to us everywhere—on the mountaintop and in the valley. The secret is simple: just recognize that He’s there. In that instant, you’ve already done the seemingly impossible. You’ve reconnected.
SONG NAME: Shom Shom – שם שם
SINGER NAME: DJ Farbreng | Feat. Izzy
LYRICS:
אם אסק שמים שם אתה
ואציעה שאול הנך,
No matter how high,
No matter how low,
No matter how high or low I go,
I’m never on my own.
This article was found in Nekuda Tova Issue 24.