The Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic teachings and interpretations of the Book of Psalms, delves into just that feeling, specifically in its exploration of Psalm 119.
It all starts with the simple statement: "I said, 'I will keep Your words, O Lord.'" (Psalm 119). But what does it really mean to keep God's words? The Midrash unpacks this idea, weaving in verses from across the Torah and the Prophets to reveal a powerful and intimate relationship between God and the Jewish people. : Moses, in Deuteronomy 7:6, tells the Israelites, "For you are a holy people to the Lord your God." But the Midrash Tehillim points out a subtle but crucial detail: the verse doesn't say "in you," but rather "in you the Lord your God has chosen." This seemingly small difference speaks volumes.
According to the Midrash, even one single Jew is more beloved before the Holy One, blessed be He, than all the nations of the world. Isaiah 40:17 echoes this sentiment, stating, "All the nations are as nothing before Him." Quite a powerful thought, isn't it? But why?
The answer, the Midrash suggests, lies in a mutual choosing. “He chose you, and you chose Him." Just like it says in Psalm 135:4, "For Jacob, He chose for Himself." God chose Jacob, and Jacob chose Him. This is a relationship, a covenant. It's not just a one-way street.
The Song of Songs (6:3) beautifully captures this reciprocal love: "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine." The Midrash sees this as God saying to us, "You are My portion," and we, in turn, declaring, as it says in Lamentations 3:24, "My portion, O Lord."
So, what does God ask of us in return for this profound connection? Not grand gestures or impossible feats. According to the Midrash, it's something much simpler, much more intimate. God asks us to keep His words in our hearts, to live by them. As Deuteronomy 6:6-7 states, "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart…". Similarly, Deuteronomy 11:18 urges, "Therefore, you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart."
This brings us back to the opening statement: "I said, 'I will keep Your words.'" It's not just about rote memorization or empty promises. It's about internalizing God's teachings, making them a part of who we are, and living a life guided by those principles. It's about the ongoing dialogue, the reciprocal love, the shared portion.
The Midrash Tehillim concludes with a prayer: "I entreat Your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise." This is a reference to Exodus 33:19, where God proclaims, "and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." It's a plea for grace, a recognition of our dependence on God's mercy and love.
So, what does it all mean? Perhaps it's a reminder that we are not just individuals, but part of a larger story, a sacred covenant. A story of mutual choosing, of reciprocal love, and of a God who cherishes each and every one of us. And maybe, just maybe, that’s a story worth keeping close to our hearts.