קָרָאתִי (karati) Moves for the Soul

מִן הַמֵּצַר קָרָאתִי יָהּ. עָנָנִי בַּמֶּרְחַב יָהּ

“From a confined space I have called [to] Hashem; [and] Hashem answered in expansiveness.”

Below is an idea that was inspired by Michal Streicher:

Rabbeinu Bachya holds the word קרא, to call out, is a language of kavod, of honoring one’s soul. Therefore מִן הַמֵּצַר קָרָאתִי יָהּ “from a confined spaced I have called [to] Hashem” is when I hold onto my highest self in times of distress. קָרָאתִי (karati), is a tool I can use to fight the yetzer hara when it backs me into a corner against my will. In other words, I can hold onto my goodness by calling out to Hashem and acknowledging He is in control, that way I don’t get stuck in a place of smallness chas v’shalom. May Hashem bless us with proper קָרָאתִי and answer us so we continue to be expansive.