תהלים, פרק קי״ט, פסוק ס״ג

Choosing one's social circle is a profound spiritual decision, as a person's companions shape their character and their relationship with the divine. The psalmist makes a conscious choice about his environment, distancing himself from those who do wrong and embracing people of strong moral character. The primary approach among commentators is that he declares a deep love, companionship, and tight bond with anyone who fears God [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. This reflects the actual social circle he belongs to, or at the very least, the community he strives to join [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This connection operates on multiple levels. On a personal level, it highlights his deep humility. Despite being a king, he does not act with royal superiority over those who fear God. Instead, he engages with them as an equal friend, sharing their devotion [מאירי]. On a practical and public level, this companionship goes beyond personal religious observance. It involves active participation. He joins any group performing a commandment and even establishes such groups himself, recognizing that the spiritual value of a commandment multiplies when performed by a community [מלבי״ם].

The nature of these companions can be understood in different ways. Some explain that those who fear God specifically refers to people who are careful to avoid violating negative commandments [אבן עזרא]. Another approach looks at the flow of time, giving the concept of friendship a deep spiritual dimension. Because the psalmist makes a habit of waking at midnight to study, his companionship crosses the boundaries of time and physical space. Through his late-night learning, he bonds deeply with the souls of the righteous in the Garden of Eden who feared God in the past, while simultaneously connecting with the living righteous in the present world who wake up just like him to follow God's instructions [אלשיך].