Who is the “Conductor” in the Psalms?

Question:

Many psalms start with the phrase “For the Conductor.” Is that a reference to G‑d? If not, what does it refer to?

Answer:

The two basic explanations are:

1. Rabbi David Kimchi, known as the Radak, writes in his commentary to Psalms1 that the minatzeach (מנצח) was the conductor who directed the Levites who sang and played musical instruments in the Holy Temple.
2. According to the commentator Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, known as Rashi, the term refers to all the Levites, as stated in the book of Ezra (3:8), “They stationed the Levites from twenty years old and above to conduct the work of the House of the L‑rd.” Additionally, such service demands strenuous effort and self-mastery, which can be considered forms of victory. The Hebrew word used, “lamnatzeach” (למנצח) is related to the Hebrew word “nitzachon” (ניצחון), victory.

The Talmud2 explains that the Conductor is referring to G‑d. The commentaries3 explain that the the way the word is written in Hebrew,4 it implies that G‑d causes others to be victorious, and rejoices when He is defeated. This in contrast to the mortal beings rejoice only for their victory.

This is a reference to another verse in Psalms (106:23): “He intended to destroy them [the Nation of Israel], were it not that Moses, His chosen one, stood before Him in the breech to return His wrath from destroying.” Even when we sin, G‑d does not desire to punish us, and is joyous when we allay His anger through prayer and good deeds.

The word “lamnatzeach” also hints to the fact that G‑d orchestrates the world eternally (lanetzach, לנצח).