Psalm 11 (10):4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When God's throne is located in heaven, it is encompassed by the heavens, and indeed, His throne constitutes a part of that domain. If heaven is God's throne, then it encompasses the entirety of heaven. This indicates that the Lord, who dwells in His sacred temple—that is, in the believer's soul—can reside in either a portion of it or in its entirety. While we are still incomplete, bearing both good and evil within, God resides in merely a part of our soul, or in heaven itself. As we attain perfection and holiness, we become the dwelling of God and embody heaven, His throne.

The true temple of God can refer to our Lord and Savior, who proclaimed, “I am in the Father, and the Father in Me” (John 14:10), the individual acknowledged by Him, the Church as a whole, or any saint. “His eyes look upon the poor, His eyelids test the sons of men.” Let us attribute the Lord's eyes and eyelids to those who interpret His wrath and fury. If they grasp it from a human perspective, they will need to receive it in that manner as well. For while it is nonsensical to suggest that the Almighty possesses physical eyes and eyelids, they are compelled to search for a spiritual meaning linked to anger and indignation. Although it may seem absurd, we cannot frame both interpretations in either a spiritual or a carnal light. Thus, the essence of this passage conveys that the righteous will not fall victim to the schemes of their adversaries, with God as their helper, who observes all things and prevents the needy from stumbling into traps and being struck by arrows. The needy one is identified as “A beggar is left unto thee” (Psalm 9:35). Moreover, we must recognize that God opens His eyes to aid the oppressed through manifest judgment. Though the beggar may be solitary, he is perpetually in God’s sight. In the context of humanity, where both the judge and the accused are sons of men (who are, in truth, not designated as sons of God), His gaze is not one of attentive scrutiny but rather resembles a deliberate act of searching with His eyelids—as if feigning slumber and choosing not to acknowledge what is evident. “If thou notice iniquity, O Lord, who shall stand?” (Psalms 129:3.) The term eyelids denotes movement and blinking, as the scholar Varron indicates, serving as a figure of speech.

His eyelids represent a sort of veil over this divine knowledge, akin to how eyelids shield the eyes. Thus, the prophet illustrates that, although God may seem to overlook the hidden nuances of the human heart and spirit, He fully perceives and comprehends them. Similarly, David articulates the all-knowing and ever-present nature of God. He sees not only with perfect vision but also with complete awareness, allowing Him to grasp all things from every angle. The term ‘test’ signifies discernment, indicating thorough and precise insight. The phrase ‘sons of men’ encompasses all humanity. A beggar is defined by two possible lacks: either he possesses no wealth or he lacks moral qualities. In this regard, God regards the impoverished man who is rich in virtues with favor, while He turns His gaze away from the individual who, though wealthy, is devoid of such virtues. He acknowledges the former by bestowing upon him the virtues that the latter lacks, while He withdraws from the latter due to his deficiency in those virtues where the former flourishes.

One can see that David experienced a deep yearning for God's temple, particularly when he was deprived of that comforting presence. This desire was so intense that, if unable to approach the temple, he insisted the temple should come close to him instead.

King David, in his role as monarch, established his reign in Jerusalem. The tabernacle—God's appointed dwelling—was located in Noba, or possibly in Gibeon, while the sacred ark containing the God-engraved tablets of the law was stored in Kiriath-jearim, at the house of Abinadab. David resolved to bring the sanctuary of God to Jerusalem, saying, "And thou shalt prepare a place for the tabernacle of God, and shalt make it a tabernacle" (1 Chronicles 15:1). After some challenges, he was able to relocate the tabernacle so that he could participate in prayer, praise, and sacrifices at every festival, precisely when he felt a greater need to strengthen his prayers through the holy temple.

It is important to remember that David, who was himself a living temple filled with the Spirit of God, deeply felt the need for the holy temple. From his youth, he received a secret and mysterious anointing from the Prophet Samuel: "And the Spirit of the Lord was upon David from that day forward" (1 Sam. 16:13). This holy example allows us to understand that those who are on the righteous path will find great joy in the journey to the temple of God; viewing their best moments as those spent in His presence. Those who experience deprivation from communal worship, prayer, and the sacraments of the temple feel their absence profoundly and fervently wish for the temple to draw near to them.

What then can we say about those who disregard the statutes of God's house, believing themselves above public opinion and free to worship God as they please? Do they not elevate themselves above the Prophet, who recognized the necessity of adhering to the temple's statutes and, as a result, felt an irresistible pull toward it? Such arrogance is certainly not commendable! Yet through David's example, we observe those who are justified in their bold desire to draw nearer to God's sanctuary, a desire that also has the capacity to provoke fear.

Recall the moment when David, fearing the nearness of the temple, exclaimed, "How shall the ark of the Lord come in unto me?" (2 Sam. 6:9). As the tabernacle was being erected anew in Jerusalem, an incident occurred during the transport of the ark from Kiriath-jearim: the ark was improperly placed on a cart instead of being carried by the Levites. On an uneven stretch of the road, a Levite named Uzzah reached out to steady the ark and, in doing so, was struck dead. David's response to this event reveals his deep understanding of the sanctity that comes with drawing near to God, recalling the words of Moses that, "In them that draw nigh unto Me I will be sanctified" (Lev. 10:3).

This shows that those who approach the holy presence of God must do so with humility, recognizing that holiness brings light to the worthy while also serving as a source of judgment for the unworthy. David, possessing self-awareness and humility, was acutely aware of his own sinfulness and, thus, trembled at the thought of the holy place, aware that it could expose the sinfulness in his heart.

So, how should we consider this? Can we claim greater assurance than righteous David? Should we not join him in reverence and say, "How shall the ark of the Lord come in unto me?" How can we appropriately welcome and cherish the presence of the temple of God? When it is possible to visit the temple, is it enough to simply stand beside it, offering our penitential prayers, and when it is not accessible, do we not have the option to send forth a prayerful longing towards God from our hearts, yearning for His presence: "When I come and appear before the face of God," sustaining our love for His holiness with tears that embody our longing: "Tears are my bread day and night" referring to the ark of the Lord.

God's grace has already descended upon this holy space. It is no longer the time for uncertainty or dread regarding whether to accept this holy presence; rather, we have the duty to honor it with reverence. Let us balance the boldness of our love for the sanctuary with necessary respect, fostering a love that is reverent. To do this, we may look once more to the example of righteous David, who instilled both fear and comfort through his unwavering faith.

After experiencing God's wrath concerning the profaned sanctuary, the ark, which previously struck fear into David, brought blessings to Abinadab as "the Lord blessed the house of Abinadab and all that belonged to him for the sake of the ark of God" (2 Sam. 6:12). David set aside his fear, found renewed courage, and led the people back to properly transport the tabernacle of God into the dwelling he had prepared, subsequently enjoying the blessings of that holy space throughout his life.

Let us affirm the graciousness of the New Testament, surpassing the limitations of the old law. While the law of Moses ordained but one tabernacle and one temple, the grace of Christ establishes sanctuaries wherever believers dwell, enabling human dwellings to embrace the divine. Those who accept this gracious gift, rejoice in the Lord, and guard it with reverence. As we draw near to the Lord Jesus Christ, who lovingly approaches us, and to His Most Pure Mother, who cares for this holy temple, let no irreverent hand or thought approach the sanctity that has been entrusted to us. May the Lord bless this house as He blessed Abinadab for the sake of the ark of God. Amen.

In the shadows—σκητόμηνη—there is a stealthy and insidious threat; the situation has escalated to such a degree that all David has achieved has been disregarded. His attempts to establish peace with Saul are acknowledged, but what recourse does a figure like David have against such malice, even when he stands for righteousness, except to flee? (v. 3) What further actions can he anticipate? Yet David does not heed their advice; he professes to his allies that he will not escape but will trust in the Almighty, who reigns supreme from heaven over mankind (the heavenly throne is where His temple resides, rather than Zion), who knows all things (vv. 5-6). The phrase "eyelids" stands in for "eye," as it is customary to narrow one's eyelids in order to see more clearly. He will scrutinize (ἐξετάσει) the righteous God and Judge; from Him, rather than through flight, I will look for assistance since He understands the righteousness of my cause and will come forth in judgment to support me. (7) Nets symbolize the traps into which the wicked will be ensnared, illustrating that the downfall of the sinners descends from above in great measure—nets falling like rain. This relates to the destructive fire and chaos akin to that described in Genesis 19:24. Such a violent and devastating wind can lead to the destruction of both people and animals. The part of the cup signifies a portion of wine that the head of the household pours into each person's cup at mealtime; therefore, it suggests a division or allotment more broadly.