Psalm 14 (13):6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is declared, Do not fear anyone but the Lord. The Almighty rebukes Jerusalem, asking, “Who are you that you fear a mortal man who is but a breath” (Isaiah 51:12)? This was directed at Sennacherib and Rapsal, who thought the people of God were easily defeated and disregarded the Lord whom they neglected to honor. Even though no one pursued them, they fled, for the Lord perceived them as wicked when He descended from heaven. They scorned Hezekiah, viewing him as feeble, along with the righteous people he shepherded with integrity. Here, the prophet refers to ‘counsel’ as a steadfast trust in God. Similarly, in negotiations, one should not focus on appearances, but rather on intentions, and in counsel, it is vital to consider the heart rather than mere power or advantage. Meanwhile, the Jews sought to ridicule the counsel of the Savior, perceiving Him as impoverished, rather than recognizing Him as the very embodiment of divine richness. They dismissed His teachings and miracles as unworthy and incidental.

God dwells among the just. This connects with the preceding thoughts, emphasizing that not all who commit wrongdoing will recognize that the Lord resides in the just; rather, He is not found among those who are devoted to worldly pursuits. It is indeed unjust to abandon the Creator of all and to serve the creation rather than the Creator. (Rom. 1:25) You have shamed the counsel of the humble, for the Lord is their hope (Ps. 13:6); that is, you have overlooked the meek arrival of the Son of God, having failed to perceive in Him the magnificence of the world. Those whom He called are meant to place their trust solely in God, rather than in fleeting earthly matters.

The guidance offered to the humble will bring you to shame. This is directed toward those who continue in disbelief and oppose those who have faith in Christ.

You, who yearn for my people, have chosen not to grasp this reality; thus you know from experience that this people is unfathomable, and that you cannot, like a gluttonous loaf, squander it by neglecting my provision. This is articulated by the Prophet: ‘The Lord is not called.’ Consequently, you who lack reverence and do not fear man will find yourselves enveloped in fear and terror, surrendering to flight when no one intimidates or persecutes you. This is captured in the phrase, ‘Fear fear where there is no fear.’ The statement ‘nor shall all them that do iniquity understand’ must be read with particular emphasis.

David addressed the Assyrians, expressing that they dismissed Hezekiah's thoughts, particularly when he felt inadequate and unprepared for battle. What was his sentiment? He believed that, devoid of any human assistance, his only recourse was to rely on God, donning a sackcloth and symbolically humbling himself. Upon hearing this, the Assyrians scoffed, treating it as inconsequential. Thus, David noted their mockery of Hezekiah's counsel; however, Hezekiah placed his complete faith and hope in the Lord, finding his refuge in Him alone.

The Jews and the Redeemer These words can likely be ascribed to the Jews who aimed to undermine the Redeemer's purpose, viewing Him as a humble individual rather than one endowed with divine richness. Consequently, they consistently oppose His teachings and slander His miraculous works, suggesting that His powers are not derived from the divine but from an external origin.

The prophet stands against those towering figures who mock the faithfulness of believers when they seek God in their times of trouble and patiently await His assistance. To the worldly, it appears ludicrous to turn to God when He seems absent in times of trial, as they often measure His favor based on immediate circumstances. Thus, when they witness the faithful suffering hardships, they deride what they perceive as a futile hope, attacking them with harsh ridicule, as if their trust in God were in vain, given the lack of visible aid. In addressing their arrogance, David declares that their behavior will lead to their downfall, for they disgrace the counsel of the downtrodden, suggesting that those who are both impoverished and righteous act foolishly by relying on God’s protection. He emphasizes that there is no greater wisdom than placing one’s trust in the Lord, asserting that true prudence lies in resting assured in the salvation He has promised, regardless of one’s circumstances.

The generation of the just, and that which Christ the Lord proclaimed: ‘Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there I am in the midst of them’ (Matthew 18:20). The counsel of the humble Christ concerning humanity’s salvation; the wicked Jews fail to believe, audaciously stripped bare and condemned to die on the cross. The Gospel represents a council, a covenant, a teaching, a revelation of divine power, truth, the pathway to salvation, and eternal life.