Psalm 119 (118):42Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Tribulation and anguish will come upon every soul of man who does evil, first to the Jew, then to the Gentile!’ (Rom. 2:6-9). Thus, the rich man was told: ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner the bad; now he is comforted, and you are tormented’ (Luke 16:25). But what does it mean to say, “I have placed my trust in Your words”? It signifies that I have wholeheartedly entrusted myself to Your promises and continue to live in hopeful expectation of them.

Consider the additional words: “Blessed are they that keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart” (Psalm 117:2). It appears that no other group of the blessed is indicated here besides the previously mentioned. To study the testimonies of the Lord and to seek Him wholeheartedly equates to being blameless on the path, to walking in the law of the Lord. Thus, He explains, “For they that do evil shall not walk in His ways” (Psalm 118:3). However, we recognize that those who commit iniquity do examine the testimonies of the Lord, prioritizing knowledge over righteousness; others seek the Lord’s testimonies not out of righteousness but to learn how they ought to live. These do not yet walk blamelessly in the law of the Lord; hence, they are not yet blessed.

It is indeed stated clearly in this psalm that "they that do evil walk not in His ways" (Psalm 118:3). Yet, we must strive, with the grace of God, who governs us and our words (Wisdom 7:16), to ensure that whatever is rightly expressed is also rightly comprehended, so as not to confuse the reader or listener. We must take care that the saints’ words, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8-9), do not imply that they walk outside of the ways of the Lord, as sin is indeed wickedness, and those who do evil do not walk in His ways. Conversely, since it is clear that they do walk in the ways of the Lord, we should not mistakenly believe they are free of sin, which is certainly untrue. This statement serves to discourage pride, not merely to disavow it; if that were the case, the additional phrase “And truth is not in us” would have been replaced with “Humility is not in us.” The subsequent words clarify the intent and eliminate any ambiguity, for after making this point, the blessed John continues, “If we confess our sins, He, being faithful and just, will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

What does it mean: “You have accused us of keeping Your commandments too strictly?” (Psalm 118:4) Have you imposed an excessive demand or withheld too much? Regardless of the interpretation, it seems contrary to the cherished and noble principle praised by Greek philosophers and unanimously lauded by Latin scholars: “Do nothing in excess.” Yet, the Latin term *nimis* can be used in contexts that convey significant meaning in Scripture and conversation. When we hear that we have been accused of overly strict adherence to Your commandments, it implies that we indeed understand much if we grasp correctly; if we tell a dear friend, “I love you too much,” we do not mean an inappropriate amount, but rather a great deal.

Ah, if, he expresses, “my ways would become so straight that I might keep Your decrees” (Psalm 118:5). You have indeed assumed a weighty responsibility; if only I could appreciate what You have undertaken. When you hear this, recognize it as the voice of one willing, and upon recognizing this expression of longing, shed the weight of presumptuous pride. Who can claim they desire what they can achieve without divine assistance? Therefore, if one wishes to fulfill God’s commands, one ought to plead with God for the grace to enact those commands.

"I will not be put to shame as long as I keep all Your commandments" (Psalm 118:6). We should regard the commandments of God as a mirror when they are proclaimed or upon remembering them, as the apostle James warns (James 1:23-25). This man hopes to perceive himself through God’s commandments accurately and not be misled, for he aspires not merely to hear God’s words, but to act upon them. Thus, he longs for his paths to be straight and to uphold the statutes of God. How can one hope to be straightened but by the grace of God? Otherwise, if one wishes to examine the commandments without the desire to follow them, they will find within the law not joy, but confusion.

“I will confess to You, O Lord, in the direction of my heart; in this, I shall know the judgments of Your righteousness” (Psalm 117:7). This reflects not a confession of sins but a proclamation of praise, similar to “In whom there was no sin, I confess unto You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth” (Matthew 11:25), and as written in the book of Ecclesiasticus: “Confess all the works of God, for they are very good” (Sirach 39:15-16). I articulate to You, he expresses, “according to the direction of my heart.” Indeed, if I find my ways made right, I will praise You, for it is Your action, worthy of honor, rather than my own.

Furthermore, he states, “I will keep Your decrees” (Psalm 118:8). But what follows? “Do not leave me, not even excessively,” or as some manuscripts express it, “even in excess, leave me not.” It is true that had God abandoned the world in the wilderness of sins, it would have been forsaken thoroughly if it were not upheld by such a profound remedy as God’s grace through our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, according to the plea of Christ’s body, God did not abandon it excessively, for "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Those who find themselves in distress often bear insults with patience, while those who lead a serene life expose the evildoers. Thus, when I declare, I will receive Your mercy, this mercy will manifest as my salvation, granting me the strength to stand against those who oppose and deride me. When Your compassion and deliverance come upon me, I will overflow with words and be able to confront my detractors, reminding them not to scorn one who upholds such teachings—teaching that foolish unbelievers mock, yet I will demonstrate that it is grounded in reason and wisdom.

Blessed Theodoret succinctly captures the essence of this sentiment: Your promise, O Lord, is my support; it is this hope that guides my journey. What drove the holy martyrs as they embraced their martyrdom, if not the unwavering certainty of God's promises? God's mercy encompassed them and provided swift assistance to ease their suffering; however, this was not the case for every martyr, and even among those it was evident, relief was not always immediate at the onset of their trials. What sustained them throughout their struggles? It was the word of the Lord, which they often recited openly, even as their bodies were tormented and their integrity was insulted. The holy ascetics, both ancient and contemporary, find their strength in the trustworthiness of God's promises. An elder wisely remarked, "My master instructed me to serve Him and not to concern myself with other matters; those responsibilities belong to Him." Truly righteous and pious individuals consistently encounter opportunities to affirm their faith amidst those who reproach them. As indicated in Scripture, "whosoever will live godly shall be persecuted" (2 Tim. 3:12), and this remains true. It is also noted that one who dedicates themselves to the Lord should prepare their soul for trials; such challenges come not only from the wicked, but often from those within the faith community due to various misunderstandings. The source of these trials may be uncertain, yet the call is to endure. What then offers comfort? It is the word of the Lord: "Blessed are ye, when they revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven" (Matthew 5:11-12). "Be of good courage, and let your heart be strengthened!" (Psalm 30:25). "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted" (Psalm 33:19). He offers protection from your enemies and hears your prayers (Psalm 33:16). "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalm 91:1). The second key idea in this text is that when You, O Lord, show me favor and deliver me in the sight of all, I will have a response for those who deride me regarding my trust in You. Demonstrable help will silence those who mock the one who believes in the promises of God. Herein lies the emergence of a new foundation for trust—experiencing tangible help from God, consistent with His word. The word from God instills deep trust; however, it remains something to be anticipated, imagined, and theoretical. When divine intervention materializes, the reality of God's power is fully felt, and trust becomes an active force in life. The recognition that such a person is indeed a servant of God becomes intertwined with their essence and manifests as a defining characteristic of their spiritual journey. This empowers them to confront their accusers and redirect the insults back to them. I trust because I have been rescued—are you blind? "Trust in Me," declares the Lord, "and I will rescue, I will cover, and I will protect, for My name is known. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him, and I will honor him; with long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation" (Psalm 91:14-16). One martyr, severely tormented and barely able to remain standing as the judge cruelly mocked his faith in the Crucified One, prayed internally to the Lord, and before all, his wounds vanished, his blood was cleansed, his strength returned, and he appeared as though he had never endured suffering. "This is what it means to trust in the Crucified Lord, whom you humiliate!" declared the holy martyr. St. Athanasius rephrases this verse to explain that if I receive Your mercy, and this mercy brings about my salvation, I will have the boldness to counter those who insult me. I will argue that those who ridicule the tenets of the faith do not deserve such contempt, for these doctrines are logical and wise. Blessed Theodoret echoes this sentiment: "O Lord, grant me the salvation You have promised in Your sacred words, so that I may boldly respond to those who mock me; for one who is in distress remains silent against reproach, but one who is rejoicing in deliverance openly rebukes those who maliciously deride him." St. Hilary and Blessed Augustine interpret this similarly. The former states: "This verse aligns with the prior thought. If, he states, your mercy and salvation rest upon me, according to Your word, I shall have a response for those who unjustly accuse me, for what can an unbeliever say against such experiences that confirm the steadfastness of God's promises?" The latter remarks: "To those who scorn the word of Christ, I respond with the word of Christ, for it is through Him that we are derided by those for whom Christ Crucified is 'a stumbling block and foolishness' (1 Cor. 1:23). They are unaware that 'the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us' (John 1:14)—the Word that 'was in the beginning, was with God, was God' (John 1:1). Had they understood, 'they would not have crucified the Lord of glory' (1 Cor. 2:8). But those upon whom mercy and protective salvation descends will answer those who disparage the truth. One must not only harbor Christ in one’s heart without proclaiming Him due to fear of insult; one must be ready to engage those who assail the truth. The martyrs proclaimed the truth, in line with the promise: 'For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you' (Matthew 10:20). Encounters with God's grace elevate trust, instilling the boldness to openly confess that trust. No one is excluded from such experiences. Anyone who remains alert to the workings of life cannot fail to see God's hand, whether in moments of rescue from extreme circumstances or in being spared disaster. Therefore, no one can rightfully complain of a lack of instances to inspire trust. Only those who neglect to discern God's providence or those who are arrogant—who sometimes perceive a sign yet misattribute it to mere coincidence or, just as misleadingly, to their own discernment and skill in managing circumstances for their benefit—might express such complaints.

Grant me the promised grace of salvation, and then I will be empowered to address my detractors, the Babylonians, and the sinful desires within me, demonstrating the validity of my cause through Your assistance, which is currently mocked. When Your deliverance reaches me, I will fulfill Your law in thankfulness and live a joyful life, proudly announcing Your law even before those in high places who currently deride me, confidently and victoriously. I will reflect on Your teachings with joy and actively apply them.

Grace represents inner enlightenment and strength, or external assistance in delivering me from oppression. The word of truth signifies a response that is undeniably accurate. The concept of freedom symbolizes joy, contrasting with the current trials I face. Lifting my hands signifies a fervent desire to diligently uphold Your commandments. The references in verses 45-48 may also be interpreted as future actions, as in Hebrew.