I will bless the Lord, who hath given me understanding: moreover, my reins also have corrected me even till night.
אֲבָרֵ֗ךְ אֶת־יְ֭הוָה אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְעָצָ֑נִי אַף־לֵ֝יל֗וֹת יִסְּר֥וּנִי כִלְיוֹתָֽי׃
8 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 9 commentaries
This inheritance can be both perceived and embraced. Indeed, even until the evening, my sorrows have taught me. Furthermore, apart from discernment, even to the point of death, my earthly nature, the acceptance of human frailty, has disciplined me so that I might encounter the shadows of mortality, which this understanding does not grasp.
I will praise the Lord who has granted me insight. This is reflected in the Acts of the Apostles. Even until the night, my innermost thoughts tormented me. It is common for Sacred Scripture to refer to 'innermost thoughts' as the hidden reflections that dwell within us, and 'night' as that which remains unseen.
Dwelling with the Father, He expresses: “My illumination, profound contemplation, and the inner stirring of my heart were present not only in the heavenly realm with me but also during the darkness and trials of this world when I walked as a man. They enlightened me and never departed from me, enabling what frail human nature could not achieve through divine wisdom and strength.”
Psalm 15:9-10 rightly proclaims, “I will bless the Lord that giveth me understanding: even to-night my womb hath quickened me.” How does the mind grasp the essence of Him who embodies Wisdom? Yet, considering that “Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52), it is less about the Son being of the Father and more about humanity receiving enlightenment from His Divine nature. This aligns with the prophecy concerning Him of the lineage of Jesse: “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding” (Isaiah 11:2).
Indeed, the translations by Aquila and Theodotion elaborate on this point, translating it as “I will bless the Lord my counselor,” which underscores that the Father did not solely impart wisdom and reason to the Son. Instead, He united His counsel with His words. Proverbs illustrates this, presenting Wisdom as God's counselor, delighting in the creation and celebrating herself daily (Proverbs 8:12-31). Likewise, Wisdom reveals through her engagement with human flesh, her death, and resurrection that she exists not apart from the Father's counsel but in harmony with Him: “I have done Thy will, O my God” (Psalm 39:9).
Also, the phrase “even to-night my womb taught me” symbolizes the hidden depths of thought and emotion, which is a fitting expression in Scripture. Historically, I recall no philosopher, poet, or medical expert claiming the womb represents thoughts and inner reflections. However, Scripture has a pattern: when it aims to convey the hidden or concealed, it states, “He that tries the hearts and wombs is God” (Psalm 7:10). Here, the heart signifies the concealed inner parts, equated with the womb. In Wisdom, attributed to Solomon, it is stated, “God tests his womb, and the heart beholds truly, and the tongue hears” (Wisdom 1:6).
In a certain apocryphal work of the patriarchs, it is mentioned: just as gall is formed for bitterness, the womb is shaped for cunning and deceit. The term ‘cunning’ is derived from Greek, referring to ‘panurgy,’ recognized for both good and evil aspects. In a positive light, Proverbs states, “Let Him give to the innocent cunning, to the little youth sense and understanding” (Proverbs 1:4). In contrast, the Apostle warns, “But I fear lest, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds be led astray from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).
The essence of this reflects that My knowledge, profound insights, and heartfelt experiences were present not only in heaven but also during the night and darkness of this age. They accompanied Me, instructing Me, remaining steadfast, so that the frailty of the flesh could be perfected through divine wisdom and strength. Alternatively, “My womb instructed Me” signifies a profound divine wisdom that guided Me to withstand the anticipated sufferings of the Cross. Furthermore, it is acknowledged that the Savior’s life serves as an exemplar of purity, free from sin and earthly distractions, awake or asleep. Therefore, let the saints aspiring to emulate their Lord diligently guard their hearts, both during waking hours and in sleep, allowing nothing to disturb them, whether day or night.
The phrase “even unto the night my womb compelled me” suggests that prior to darkness descending, or the Savior engaging with it, He was continually guided by His wisdom. Another interpretation highlights how Scripture often depicts Divine attributes using human imagery, including references to His feet, eyes, ears, and hands. In this sense, the womb signifies the origin of life; just as human existence begins in the seed, the foundation of our thoughts is in this inner chamber. Before we enact any word or deed, this silent contemplation precedes and reflects upon itself. Thus, the meaning unfolds: our Lord and Savior could not sin, neither in action, word, nor even in thought or its initial stirrings, termed prologues, as He drew instruction daily from the Word of God. In this unity, there is no distinction between God and man; the Son of Man is also the Son of God, who listens as man poses questions, and as God responds.
However, with the guidance of the Lord and through His perfect wisdom, I will triumph over the dark hours of suffering, for He referred to the darkness of temptation as night. It should not be regarded as inappropriate that the Lord Christ, in His human essence, experiences discipline, as affirmed by the beloved physician who writes, “But Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Let us also remember the words of the Evangelist, noting how Jesus, overwhelmed by the prospect of suffering and sweating blood, received strength from the angel who appeared to Him (Luke 22:43). If He, needing the support of angels, demonstrated the nature of a servant in His human form, all the more was He guided by the divine presence within Him. For He embodied both divine and human natures; wise in His humanity and the very Source of wisdom in His divinity.
I will extol the Lord who has granted me understanding. These words and the subsequent ones are uttered by the Savior in His humanity. The Evangelist likewise affirms this by stating that He was filled with wisdom as a child and grew strong in spirit (Luke 2:40). Hence, He conveys His gratitude for the gift of wisdom conferred upon Him. The term wombs denotes the cherished aspect of the human soul, as desires reside within them, as previously interpreted; and night refers to the death of the Lord. He expresses that His yearning has nurtured and directed Him until death, keeping Him focused on heavenly matters rather than earthly distractions. Alternatively, night may symbolize the hidden truths; in this sense, the Savior implies that while these truths were obscured to others, He was enlightened and guided by His longing.
The prophet expresses gratitude to God, who instilled in him the wisdom and longing to select such a precious inheritance. He proclaims his praise and glorification of God, the source of this incredible blessing, who has granted him wisdom or, put another way, understanding, enabling him to make a sound choice regarding his destiny. With these statements, he openly acknowledges that he received this significant gift through faith, which itself is a result of grace. He further states, "My wombs teach me even in the night." The teaching referenced by David here signifies the internal enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, which guides a person, ensuring that the distractions of the flesh do not lead him to overlook the divine light to which God beckons.
It is evident that this is not a matter of external instruction, as he notes that his learning occurred at night, a time when he was away from others. When he indicates that this teaching took place within his womb, he is undoubtedly referring to the profound inspirations bestowed upon him throughout the night in the divine classroom of God.
The Son speaks to the Father on behalf of humanity, as it is recorded: And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52). The term night represents the suffering of Christ, which occurred during the night; His lineage refers to the Jewish people, as Pilate remarked: ‘Your own people and chief priests handed You over to me’ (John 18:35).
Yet even before the nighttime, my innermost being tormented me. Many readers find this statement baffling, but their confusion arises from a misunderstanding of the term ‘innermost being.’ When interpreted correctly, this phrase yields profound insights and valuable instruction for all. In sacred texts, the term is not always used in a sensual context, as Nicodemus did during his dialogue with the Lord, where he questioned how a person could re-enter their mother's womb to be born (John 3:4). In Scripture, ‘innermost being’ possesses a spiritual significance: God is referred to with compassion. The Scriptures declare that the Lord examines hearts and innermost beings (Rev. 2:23). What does this signify? Is St. Theologian suggesting that God observes the physical aspects of humanity?
That would be incorrect. The author wishes to convey that the Omniscient One perceives the deepest stirrings of the heart, our most profound emotions. David, in another place, prays, "kindle my innermost being" (Ps. 25:2). Undoubtedly, St. Subbot is not asking for fire from heaven to fall within his body; rather, he seeks a mystical baptism of flame to purify his feelings, analogous to how fire refines gold. The apostle exhorts us to don the garment of compassion (Colossians 3:12), which includes humility, gentleness, and patience.
So, what does the term innermost being signify? It represents the inception of one’s inner life, a vessel that receives spiritual nourishment; in other words, it is akin to the womb where the inner self is nurtured and matured. It embodies the conscience, which safeguards and reveals God’s law to us, and this inner sense, our spiritual guide and priest, tormented David until the night. Notice, too, that the prophet engaged in a devout practice during the night; he dedicated that time to repentance, washing his bed with tears each night (Psalms 6:7). He also instructed others that the night was a moment for spiritual reflection: "Speak in your hearts, upon your beds be still" (Psalm 4:5). The faithful generally distinguish night from day for spiritual endeavors. Thus, when the tranquility of night arrived, they immersed themselves in contemplation, reflecting on their transgressions, and in the solitude and silence, with only God’s testimony, they wept bitterly over them. They also recalled the blessings bestowed upon them that day, expressing tears of repentance alongside tears of gratitude before God. However, David did not wait for nightfall to give thanks or seek repentance from the Lord; even in the daylight, the stirring of his conscience compelled him, inciting him either to repent or to express gratitude.
This inner conscience pressed upon him forcefully, almost as if inflicting invisible blows, which manifested in physical afflictions. I believe this is the reason the prophet used the word innermost being, demonstrating that the influence of spiritual awareness does not remain confined to the spirit but resonates throughout the entire physical being. Thus, a person may groan like a wounded lion, and their tears may flow abundantly, resulting in the trembling of their very bones, for it is stated, "There is no peace in my bones" (Psalm 37:4). Anyone who strives to cleanse their conscience through adherence to the Gospel knows that this internal chastisement is closely tied to a deep sense of illness: after committing sin, they feel a turmoil within; both warmth and cold arise in their body as if a fire is lighted in their innermost being, making them ready to bear wounds (Psalm 37:18) to quench this burning. This inner torment begins to chastise even before nighttime and compels the righteous to address their sins without delay; immediately after wrongdoing, the voice of their conscience starts to chastise them.
Conversely, the holy prophet intended to express that his inner sense pursued him until night, meaning until he could finally disengage from worldly distractions and concerns to find rest. Here, upon reconciling with himself, he recognized his failings and washed them with tears of repentance. This brought peace to his soul, as his heart was cleansed through tears, thereby reconciling his conscience with God. Such an interpretation closely aligns with the preceding sentiments, especially as David praises the Lord for His guidance while illustrating the potency and constancy of divine instruction. Hence, the truly devout do not procrastinate in repentance; if they stumble, they promptly heed the call to correction. If a Christian wrongs another, they quickly seek reconciliation, as it is burdensome and destructive to harbor the painful reality of sin. Whether they stray from any other divine command, they promptly cleanse their misdeed with tears and heartfelt sighs to the Lord: "Let not the sun go down on your wrath" (Eph. 4:26). The apostle’s admonition concerning anger applies to any emotion contrary to love and the purity of the Gospel. Do not postpone your efforts to eradicate sin until nighttime or a period of rest. Given the passage of time, the sin may root itself deeper within your heart, making it increasingly challenging to remove. This concept ties in with the words of the holy prophet, "Blessed is he that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones" (Psalm 136:9). When nighttime arrives, unleash your emotions—allow your tears and sighs to flow freely. During that time, nothing can obstruct your communion with God; external distractions will not diminish your sacrifice. Through this offering, your sins will be cleansed, and the Lord will reconcile with you, granting your heart the comfort fully available in the sacrament of repentance. Do not delay your expression of gratitude; kneel before the gracious God immediately, and once the moment of comfort arrives, offer a prayer of thanksgiving in humility. Finally, as St. Peter the Apostle explained, this Psalm points to the Saviour (Acts 11:27, 31). The phrase, "Yet even unto the night have my innermost being chastised me," beautifully encapsulates this profound understanding of David’s Song. In it, the Redeemer in human form glorifies God for His wisdom. The fact that the Redeemer, as man, was instructed by the divine is evident in several passages from the Holy Gospel. He declared, "I can do nothing of my own accord; as I hear, I judge" (John 5:30). "For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and greater works than these will He show Him, so that you may marvel" (John 5:20). Furthermore, He stated, "As the Father commanded Me, so I do" (John 14:31). Subsequently, He turns to His innermost feelings, indicating that His inner compulsion to fulfill the mission of redeeming humanity persisted; the Evangelist often affirms that Jesus was moved with compassion for the shepherdless multitudes, grieved by the obstinacy of the hard-hearted Pharisees, and anxious to participate in one last Passover with His disciples to complete the work of salvation: "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer" (Luke 22:15). This profound compassion for sinners did not leave Him even until night; it drove Him until that hour when Judas decided to betray Him. "It was night," the Evangelist notes, "when Judas went out to betray the Lord" (Jer. 8, p. 45. John 13:30. Theodoret’s commentary). According to this interpretation, the Psalmist’s words impart a timely lesson: if you sense an urge toward goodness in your heart, if you hear a call inviting you to pursue Christian action, do not stifle it through distraction, nor diminish it through neglect, but allow it the freedom to resonate within your soul until you fulfill its call to the best of your ability.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS