A deep, exclusive connection between a person and God serves as the firmest anchor for hope and security, even during times of crisis and exile. This inner recognition comes from the soul, which speaks directly to the individual [אבן עזרא], declaring that God is its only portion. This realization is one of absolute uniqueness and exclusivity. Unlike other nations that worship forces of nature and systems of stars, the Israelites declare God's oneness twice every day, testifying that they have no inheritance other than the Creator alone [תורה תמימה]. This profound awareness does not happen on its own; rather, it is the result of God actively strengthening a person's faith until their soul can make this declaration with total clarity [פלגי מים].
There is a profound element of choice embedded in this relationship. The soul willingly chooses to be with God [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This voluntary decision has an enormous impact on the covenant between God and the Israelites. Because the people freely chose God, He cannot push them away, and this knowledge alone provides a powerful source of comfort [אלון בכות]. Furthermore, while other nations are governed by higher celestial ministers and fall when those representative powers fall, the Israelites exist directly under God's domain. Because God lives forever, the people of Israel will never cease to exist, having secured an eternal destiny [נחל אשכול].
Understanding that God is their exclusive portion leads to a natural and logical conclusion. The primary approach among commentators is that basic justice dictates it is proper to wait and place all hope entirely in Him. This hope exists on different levels. Some hope for salvation merely to gain material benefits in this physical world. The highest level of hope, however, is a pure anticipation for God's name and for the honor of His Divine Presence, which currently shares in the exile, a longing that stems directly from the soul. God brings goodness to all who place their hope in Him, responding to each person according to their specific level and intention. Yet, the virtue of hope is so powerful that even if the Israelites possess no other merits, the simple act of waiting and hoping for God is worthy and sufficient to bring about the final redemption [נחל אשכול].