The Importance of the Simplest Jew:

The concept that asking Hashem to return us to Him is a merit that leads to our purification and full teshuva is linked to the mitzvah of milah. Sefer Divrei Bina (Parshas Lech Lecha) notes that the literal translation of the word "milah" is "a word". This indicates that just like a bris milah sanctifies a person for life, so too if one says one proper word to Hashem, he can merit sanctification for life. Furthermore, even a good word said in an offhand manner or accidentally is beloved by Hashem and can help change a person for the better. This is seen from a story involving a villager who would often travel to Rav Elimelech of Lizhensk zy"a. The Rebbe would praise him and say, "His heart burns with love of Hashem." One Shabbos, Rav Elimelech honored him with davening Pesukei D'Zimrah for the amud. When he reached the chapter of "Shir Hamaalos", when he was supposed to say "Hala'ag Hasha'ananim habuz l'gai yonim" (Tehillim 123:4: "With the ridicule of the complacent, the contempt to the valley of doves”), he instead said, “Halaʼag hasha'agagim." Rav Elimelech announced that the entire Heavenly host rejoiced over this sweet mistake.