Provérbios 15:24 Midrash: Vayikra Rabbah & Midrash Tehillim

Rabbi Berekhya began in the name of Rabbi Yirmeya: “The path of life goes upward for the intelligent” (Proverbs 15:24). “The path of life” is nothing other than Torah, just as it says: “It is a tree of life for those who grasp it” (Proverbs 3:18). Alternatively, “The path of life goes upward for the intelligent,” just as it says: “Rebukes of admonition are the path of life,” (Proverbs 6:23). “Upward for the intelligent,” this is to one who looks at the mitzvot of the Torah. What is written before this matter?¹¹Literally, what is written above this matter, meaning before the verse: ”In the seventh month, on the first of the month.” “You shall not reap the corner of your field” (Leviticus 23:22).

"To David, the intelligent one, fortunate is the one who is forgiven of sin. This is what the verse says (Proverbs 15:24), 'The path of life leads upward for the wise.' One who looks upward, what is written about him is that the path of life leads upward for the wise. The sons of Korach who looked upward were saved, as it says (Psalm 34:6), 'Look to Him and be radiant.' But their father, who did not look upward, went down below, as it says (Numbers 16:33), 'They went down alive into Sheol.' Similarly, with David, who looked upward, he was saved, as it says, 'To David, the intelligent one.' You also find this with Nebuchadnezzar, as it says (Daniel 4:34), 'I raised my eyes to heaven.' What about the wicked who are obligated to God? When they look upward, God forgives them. For Israel, who are the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, if they look up even more so. David said, 'I look upward,' as it says, 'To David, the intelligent one.' And one who looks upward is covered for sin. It also says (1 Samuel 18:14), 'David had success in all his endeavors, for the Lord was with him.' And it says (1 Samuel 18:15), 'Saul saw that he was very successful, and he was afraid of him.' Because he was successful, he was covered for sin, as he would desist from his actions and confess before God. As it says (Psalm 32:5), 'I acknowledged my sin to You, and I did not conceal my iniquity.'"...

To the conductor, for the sons of Korah. This is what the verse (Proverbs 15:24) means: "The path of life is above for the wise." In this psalm, "like a deer that longs for streams of water" - the word "deer" is used instead of "doe," in the masculine form, to indicate remembrance and not female. This deer, when sitting by the water, is distressed and yearns for the Lord, who answers her. The sons of Korah called out to the Lord in distress, and He answered them. Therefore, it is said, "like a deer that longs." Why "for streams of water"? This deer is a pious animal and, when the animals are thirsty, it longs for the Lord. This is also mentioned in Psalm 42. Another explanation: Just as the deer yearns for the Lord, so does Esther say (Psalm 22:20), "My strength, come quickly to help me." My soul is thirsty. And what is my soul thirsty for? She said to him, "I am not thirsty for food or drink, but my soul is thirsty for you. To see your face, I say to my heart, 'Seek His face.'" Therefore, it is said, "My soul thirsts for you."...