The Midrash Tehillim, a collection of homiletic interpretations of the Book of Psalms, offers a fascinating perspective on these qualities, especially in relation to God, and how they trickle down to us.

It starts with a striking contrast: human strength and beauty are often mutually exclusive. Think about it. Someone physically imposing might lack grace, while someone beautiful might lack inner fortitude. But the Kadosh Baruch Hu, The Holy One, Blessed be He, possesses both glory and splendor. He doesn’t just have one or the other. He is both, simultaneously.

And it doesn't stop there. God shares these qualities. The Midrash goes on to illustrate how God bestowed glory upon Moses. Remember when God tells Moses in Numbers 27:20, "You shall invest him with some of your splendor”? And then splendor was given to Joshua, described in Deuteronomy 33:17 as having "majesty.” And then there's Solomon, who, according to 1 Chronicles 29:25, was made "exceedingly great…and bestowed upon him royal majesty.”

These weren't just random gifts; they were deliberate acts of divine empowerment.

But here's where it gets really interesting. The Midrash suggests that the bestowing of glory and splendor isn't limited to these monumental figures. God, it says, will give both glory and splendor to the King Messiah, as alluded to in Psalm 21:4: "For You set on his head a crown of fine gold."

But it still doesn't end there! According to the Midrash Tehillim, it’s not just for the Messiah. Anyone who "toils in Torah" – anyone who dedicates themselves to studying and understanding God’s teachings – can also partake in this divine gift. Think about that.

What kind of "works" are being discussed? Well, the Midrash points to the Tablets of the Law themselves! Exodus 32:16 tells us, "The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved upon the tablets." These aren't just any works; they are the very embodiment of divine wisdom, and those who engage with them are promised a reward.

That reward? "Splendor and majesty are His work, and His righteousness endures forever," as Psalm 111:3 says.

So, what's the takeaway? It’s more than just a nice story about God handing out prizes. It suggests that by engaging with Torah, by wrestling with its complexities and finding joy in its teachings, we, too, can be "clothed in glory and splendor." It's not about ego or outward show, but about reflecting the divine light within ourselves through righteous action and dedicated study.