For the source text click/tap here: Sotah 35
To download, click/tap here: PDF
Dovid ha'Melech was punished for calling Divrei Torah "Zemiros," songs (Tehilim 119:54). Hashem said to him, "Divrei Torah can be forgotten in the blink of an eye (Mishlei 23:5), and you are calling them 'Zemiros' (that are treated lightly, without concentration)!" Hashem caused him to forget an explicit verse as punishment for treating Divrei Torah like Zemiros.
The Marsha suggests that Dovid ha'Melech was criticized for calling Divrei Torah "Zemiros," because calling the Torah "song" implies that the Torah flows easily from the lips without concentration and constant effort. In order to truly acquire Divrei Torah, a person must put great effort into learning Torah.
For one who does not learn Torah Lishmah, but merely in order to reach a particular goal, the Torah indeed is comparable to "Zemiros" and it does not become a part of the person.
We explore various topics including Uzza’s death and my essay on Dovid Hamelech.