I sat not in the assembly of jesters, nor did I make a boast of the presence of thy hand: I sat alone, because thou hast filled me with threats.
לֹֽא־יָשַׁ֥בְתִּי בְסוֹד־מְשַׂחֲקִ֖ים וָֽאֶעְלֹ֑ז מִפְּנֵ֤י יָֽדְךָ֙ בָּדָ֣ד יָשַׁ֔בְתִּי כִּֽי־זַ֖עַם מִלֵּאתָֽנִי׃
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
I did not take my place among their celebrations. This reflects that my responsibilities were fulfilled. While I was suffering, I did not engage in their actions; I did not partake with them. What was to come? For the sake of Your reverence, I bore all things, and yet nothing happened. In a shared meal, none shared in my words; everyone did not have faith; however, nothing dissuaded me from my purpose; I abandoned nothing.
I will refrain from associating with those who revel in falsehood, particularly the deceptive prophets who ridiculed me when I warned of impending disasters and led the masses astray with empty promises of peace and calm. Yet I tremble at the presence of Your power; I sit in solitude, weighed down by grief. I did not follow the ways or actions of the deceitful prophets and the populace, for my heart was heavy with sorrow as I contemplated the severe trials that Your mighty hand has destined for this people, which You have not concealed from me.
I did not gather with those who indulge in frivolity, nor did I boast or feel fear before Your hand; I kept to myself, for You have filled me with anguish. Why has my grief become eternal, and why do my tormentors grow strong, while my deep wound has turned away healing? It has become for me like the deceptive waters, lacking faith. The Hebrews interpret this as spoken for the sake of Jerusalem—depicting one who sits alone, engulfed in bitterness, whose sorrow endures, as the promises of the prophets fade like flowing waters. However, it is more fitting to understand these words as those of the prophet, a holy man who refrained from joining the crowd, fearing the mighty hand of God, or perhaps rightfully declaring his separation from the wicked.
I sit in solitude, he proclaims, yet it is written: I will not associate with the empty pursuits of the vain nor will I join the company of evildoers. I will not dine with the wicked (Psalms 25:4-5), and in another instance: I am alone (Psalms 140:10). Before Your hand, I remain solitary, for I am in dread, always anticipating Your hand of judgment. I chose not to engage with those who play but rather consumed my bitterness to prepare for future joy. In my affliction, I found no reprieve; I was burdened by unending trials with no expectation of relief. My oppressors triumphed, and my wound deepened. Yet, I took solace in the fact that they were like deceitful and fleeting waters. Just as flowing waters appear and quickly disappear, so too every attack from foes, with Your assistance, comes to an end. Oh, may the Lord also grant us the strength not to mingle in the company of frivolous individuals who disregard what lies ahead—may we withstand our enemies, always mindful of Your judgment, echoing the prophet’s words: I sit alone, for I am filled with bitterness. Thus, let not the wise crowd exult at this moment, but rather the hidden fellowship of those who play; for my strength lies in clinging to God, placing my trust in Him, enduring reproach, and awaiting the judgment from my Divine Judge— a judgment that will ultimately prove that all sorrow and bitterness fade like a stream of passing waters.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS