Torah 208 · תורה ר״ח

“The wicked man tzopheh (watches) for the tzaddik and seeks to kill him. But God will not abandon him into his hand.” (Psalms 37:32, 33)

An explanation: That the wicked afflict the righteous and pursue <them> is brought about by God in order that the tzaddik should consider and examine his deeds. Thus it is that the wicked man is like a watchman, like the guard of the city, who is called a tzopheh. So too, the wicked man guards the tzaddik from succumbing to physicality.

Another explanation: Some of the opposition that tzaddikim face is for their benefit. This is because opposition is like a cover, keeping them from being discovered and becoming famous more than is necessary. This is the explanation of:

The wicked man tzopheh for the tzaddik—TZoPheh connotes a covering, as in (Exodus 25:11), “v’TZiPita (you shall overlay) it with gold.” Yet, these wicked ones increase the opposition <and> increase the covering to such an extent, that the tzaddikim are unable to bear the opposition and hatred of the wicked. And this is:

and seeks to kill him—like people who cover someone from head to toe until he is unable to breathe. Likewise, the wicked man covers <the tzaddik> and increases the veils <and> the opposition, seeking to kill him. Nevertheless, “But God will not abandon him into [the wicked man’s] hand.”