תהלים, פרק י״ז, פסוק ט״ו

A deep personal prayer reveals a sharp contrast between the worldly ambitions of the wicked and a profound spiritual yearning. While the wicked find their satisfaction in fulfilling their physical needs in this world, the true desire is for closeness to God and a spiritual fulfillment that goes far beyond material reality. The primary approach among commentators is that acts of charity, justice, and fair judgment serve as the key that grants one the privilege to experience God's presence [רש״י, רד״ק, מצודת דוד, אלשיך]. There is a striking difference between a human king and the Creator: while gaining an audience with an earthly ruler is difficult even when offering a lavish gift, a person can be welcomed into God's presence through an act as simple as giving a single coin to the poor [תורה תמימה]. Alternatively, this approach to God is understood simply as happening in truth or with absolute certainty [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The hope to look upon God and grasp His presence is not about physical sight. Instead, it describes a state where the human intellect connects to God and clings to Him without any barrier [מאירי]. It is a deep, intellectual understanding of God's glory and the profound wisdom behind His actions [רד״ק, אבן עזרא]. Another perspective suggests that the image being perceived is actually the person's own divine soul. Because the soul was created in God's image, it serves as a direct reflection of His wisdom [רש״י, מלבי״ם]. The resulting satisfaction stands in direct opposition to the physical fullness chased by the wicked. Rather than temporary worldly pleasure, this is a spiritual satisfaction offering eternal delight [רד״ק, אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם].

As for when and how this profound revelation takes place, the concept of awakening sparks three distinct views. The first suggests this happens during a person's lifetime in this world. The spiritual and prophetic understanding is achieved in a clear, waking state of mind, rather than through a dream [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The second approach views the awakening as a metaphor for the moment of death, when the soul departs from the body. Throughout a person's life, the powers of the divine soul are essentially asleep, trapped within the material body. Only when a person passes away and the soul separates from the physical form does it truly wake from its slumber, finally seeing the Divine Presence and finding complete satisfaction in His radiant light [מלבי״ם, רד״ק, אלשיך, מאירי]. The third view interprets the awakening literally as the future resurrection of the dead. According to this understanding, a time will come when the righteous will physically wake from their sleep in the dust, earning the ultimate reward of seeing God and fully satisfying their souls [רש״י, מצודת דוד, אלשיך].