תהלים, פרק קי״ט, פסוק קע״ד

A person's deep longing for God's salvation is tightly woven with their love and joy for studying the Torah. This yearning is an intense and powerful desire [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. It reaches a level of complete devotion where the soul almost faints from the sheer force of its longing [אבן עזרא].

This powerful desire for salvation and the delight found in the Torah are deeply connected, though commentators offer two distinct ways to understand their relationship. One perspective views salvation as an ultimate spiritual goal, specifically the salvation of the soul in the World to Come. In this light, the Torah serves as a source of joy because it is the very path that leads a person to achieve eternal salvation [רד״ק, מאירי].

Conversely, another perspective understands salvation as a rescue from the hardships of this world. A person longs to be saved from suffering and the constant distraction of enemies for one clear reason: to be completely free from interruptions. With these worldly burdens lifted, they can fully dedicate themselves to making the Torah their central joy [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. According to this view, salvation is not the final goal itself, but rather the necessary condition that allows a person to happily immerse themselves in study.