To the holy ones who are in the earth – The form of expression is like (that of לאישׁ in): "To a man (לאישׁ) as thou art thy wickedness (may reach)" (Job 35:8). And because I love Thee I love those who are holy, and I do good to them.

And excellent ones all my delight is in them – To those who are most excellent of heart among all the children of men, and better than they – my delight is in them to do them good, because they keep and do Thy commandments. And for this reason he calls them holy and excellent. And, according to the former interpretation, they interpret for the holy ones (לקדושׁים) thus: "I am not worthy of Thy goodness, but for the holy ones Thy goodness is worthy.⁠" In my opinion the words to the holy ones depend upon Thou hast said to the Lord, meaning, after thou hast said to the Lord that He is thy Sovereign Lord, thou shouldest say also to the holy ones which are in the earth that thou wilt humble thyself before them, and yield them superiority over thyself, and learn from their works; and all is with a view to perfection, that thou shouldest learn the love of God. And in this way our sages of blessed memory have said (Bavli Pesahim 22 b): "'Thou shall fear the Lord thy God' (Deut. 6:13) – i.e. to multiply the disciples of the wise.⁠" And he says, which are in the earth, meaning, Walk in the steps of the holy ones whom thou shalt find in thy way, and learn from their works. In my opinion וְאַדִּירֵי (excellent ones) is not construct, for similar examples are to be found, as חַלּוֹנֵי שׁקופים (windows narrow), (1 Kings 6:4); נטעי נעמנים (pleasant plants) (Is. 17:10); and such like. And the meaning of holy ones and excellent in whom is all my delight is that one should love them and walk in their ways – viz. of the holy ones which are in the earth; the way of the holy ones, the servants of God, I love, but the way of the others, who serve another god, I hate; and I say: