Tehillim 119:2 Ashrei notzrei edotav bechol-lev yidreshuhu
Happy are they who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart.
Two conditions are required for the proper performance of the mitzvot. One must actually perform any given mitzvah, and do so with the proper conscious intent. One without the other amounts to nothing. Thus the Scripture says here, "Happy are they who keep His testimonies" in fact, and "who seek Him with the whole heart."
"Seek Him with the whole heart." Our Sages have expounded similarly, "Drink thirstily their words." One must keep probing in the Torah ever deeper, and also exile oneself to a place of Torah study.
It is further indicated that one "whose way is integrity" (v119:1) merits to possess wisdom, and he expounds the Torah "with the whole heart." It is otherwise for the one who is not of upright heart. Thus the present verse in effect explains the previous verse, in that only those are "happy" (ibid. "who seek Him with the whole heart."
The Midrash says, "Happy are they who keep His testimonies." If you keep the Torah, then the Torah keeps (guards) you. This it says, "Love her, and she will keep you" (Mishlei 4:6); and it says, "When you walk, she will lead you" (ibid. 6:22)
Tehillim 119:1
- MeAm Lo'ez
- Chazal
