Psalm 11 (10):5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

What we truly require is the virtue of the soul, which has the power to rescue us and protect us from eternal damnation. This virtue can guide us into the kingdom of heaven, attainable by all through the grace and humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him and in union with the Father and the Holy Spirit, may glory be given for all time and throughout eternity. Amen.

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‘His eyes observe the needy; His eyes scrutinize the children of men. The Lord tests both the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves iniquity despises his own soul’ (Psalm 10:4-5). Another translator renders it as ‘His eyes examine.’ A further source states, ‘the Lord, the righteous examiner.’ The fourth translation notes, ‘the righteous are tested, and the wicked; and he that loves iniquity hates his soul.’ ‘He who loves iniquity despises his own soul.’ Do you realize the constant Helper, the faithful Advocate who is omnipresent, perceives all, and vigilantly watches over us—though no one entreats Him—preventing those who wrong others, aiding those who suffer injustice, rewarding some for their virtues, and meting out consequences for the transgressions of others? He is aware of everything; His sight surveys the entire cosmos; not only does He know, but He longs to amend all that is wrong. Thus, in another scripture, the prophet identifies Him as ‘righteous’ (Psalms 10:7). As a righteous being, He will not turn a blind eye to such actions; He will reject the wicked and commend the upright. By illuminating what he has previously stated, namely that vice alone sufficiently punishes the sinner, he concludes: ‘he who loves unrighteousness hates his own soul.’ Vice is antagonistic to the soul, destructive and detrimental, so that the wicked one finds suffering even before the final judgment falls. Can you observe how easily one becomes ensnared when a righteous individual has such a Helper, with adversaries being defeated by the very means they use to protect themselves, bringing harm upon themselves? Do you see how accessible this assistance is? There is no need for travel, no need to escape, nor a need to squander material possessions, for God is omnipresent and perceives all.

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Evil is distasteful, antagonistic, and damaging to the soul; thus, the wicked experience punishment even before the ultimate reckoning, for they despise their own spirit—not due to mere human weakness, which may lead one to offense, but rather those who intentionally embrace iniquity and make it the focus of their thoughts and actions—they destroy their own souls. Such individuals bring God’s wrath upon themselves, as the prophet subtly indicates.

Alternatively, according to the Septuagint translation, "The Lord inquires of the just and the wicked," conveys a different meaning: He serves as the Judge for both the righteous and the unrighteous. The wicked must face judgment due to their love for iniquity, which leads to their own loathing of their souls. This concept connects to the conclusion drawn from logical reasoning: even if an individual claims to not despise his soul, his attachment to wrongdoing reveals the truth. Solomon articulated this well in Proverbs: "He who rejects teaching hates himself" (Proverbs 15:32). Therefore, one who revels in iniquity ultimately hates his own soul. Conversely, one who values righteousness cherishes his soul: "He who has knowledge loves himself" (see Proverbs 19:8). This is why the Savior asserts, "He who loves Me will keep My commandments" (cf. John 14:21). That embodies righteousness. We should not interpret the statement, "The Lord inquires of the righteous and the wicked," according to the Septuagint, as contradictory to the first Psalm which states, "Wherefore the wicked shall not rise up in judgement" (Ps. 1:5). There exists a distinction within both the righteous and the wicked. The righteous dwell in various places, while those who are perfect in their malevolence vigorously oppose the Lord shall not stand trial. However, the wicked who have sinned unknowingly, having committed minor transgressions, will receive mercy in the judgment of God.

Evil is naturally repugnant and detrimental to the soul, and the wicked face torment even prior to judgment because they reject their own spirit. This is not the case for someone who, out of human fear, succumbs to transgressions; such an individual may soon awaken and strive for better, much like one who rises from a fall. Rather, it is the one who embraces wickedness, intentionally focusing on it, who endangers his soul. By inviting God's wrath upon himself, he aligns with the message of the prophets. As Theodoret insightfully observes, one who cherishes his soul renounces wickedness, while one inclined toward it plots his own ruin, invoking God's displeasure upon his soul.

This statement is indeed profound yet true. He who clings to unrighteousness may seem to cherish his soul, acting to satisfy it, but in truth, he loathes it—by embracing wickedness, he brings about its destruction. This understanding aligns with the words of the Lord in John: “he who loves his soul will destroy it” (John 12:25), meaning that one who indulges in self-serving wickedness ultimately detests his own being.

In verses 2 and 3, he conveys the motivations behind the counsel provided by his companions: the wicked, including Saul and his followers, are intent on ending David's life. Insidiously, in the shadows, the situation has escalated to a point where all that David has accomplished is now attributed solely to him—not God. His attempts to reconcile with Saul are evident, yet what recourse does a man like David have against such an antagonistic faction, despite having righteousness on his side, other than to take flight? (v. 3) He contemplates what actions he may take in the future. Nevertheless, David rejects their advice and confidently proclaims to his advisers that he will not flee but will place his hope in the Almighty, who reigns from His heavenly Throne over mankind, for He is all-knowing (vv. 5-6). The imagery of eyelids is used instead of eyes, as it is customary to narrow the eyelids for better sight. You shall examine strictly—God, the righteous Judge; from Him, and not by escaping, I shall await assistance, for He understands the righteousness of my cause and will stand in judgment on my behalf. (7) The nets represent traps from which the wicked will be ensnared, signifying that the downfall of sinners descends from above, illustrated abundantly like rain. The destructive forces, akin to fire, extend to both men and livestock. The reference to a portion of wine acknowledges the practice where the head of the household would pour a separate portion into each guest's cup during the meal, denoting a share, or generally, one’s lot.