Psalm 18 (17):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He listened to My voice that comes from My heart, where He resides. My plea, seen in His eyes, reached His ears; and the cry that I express not to mankind, but silently before Him, was heard by Him.

In times of great distress, I turned away from all human support and sought divine assistance, finding my hope rewarded, as God promptly answered my prayers. It is important to note that he is not referring to a temple constructed by human hands, which was yet to be established since Solomon constructed it later, but rather he is designating heaven as the temple.

In my time of distress, I turned to the Lord, seeking His protection. I lifted my voice to my God as I faced increasing oppression from my adversaries. He indicates that he cried out vehemently to the Lord, asking Him to hear his plea from His holy dwelling. By ‘holy dwelling,’ we may interpret this as heaven or the vision’s tabernacle, rather than the grand temple of Jerusalem, which was constructed after David's reign, during Solomon's. Moreover, the Lord responded to the prophet’s call not in a physical way but in a manner unique to Him. The prophet employed common human language to express this, much like how we use familiar images and concepts to articulate our understanding of the unseen cosmic forces that uphold the entire visible world.

I will recount the history, so that I may remain steadfast in my hope for what lies ahead: when the anguish of death, injustice, pain, and deceit enveloped me, I called upon Him in trust. He listened to my plea from His sacred abode, and my call shall reach His ears.

The entrance to deliverance, moved by the torrents of wickedness and bearing the afflictions previously mentioned, prompts an awareness of peril, leading one to seek refuge at the entrance of salvation. For this reason, he proclaims, "In my affliction I called upon the Lord, and to my God I cried." It is then made clear that one who holds such faith will not fall short of the desired outcome, for hope does not bring shame (Rom 5:5).

David's heartfelt prayers lifted to heaven in the face of death serve as a remarkable testament to his extraordinary faith. This example stands before us to encourage perseverance in prayer during our own trials, no matter how severe they may be. The results of David's supplications will become clearer in the subsequent verses. The term "crying" here represents a fervent and intense stirring of the soul. In referring to God as his own (I call upon my God), David sets himself apart from false worshipers and hypocrites, who, driven by desperation, may invoke God’s name but do not do so with true commitment or sincere faith. Furthermore, by contrasting God with his homeland and adversaries, David demonstrates his devotion. In this context, the term "temple" does not refer to a physical sanctuary, as is commonly understood elsewhere, but rather to heaven itself, which serves as the unbuilt and sacred dwelling place of God, free from any impurity.

The Son of God, who came to rescue the perishing and embodies the way, the truth, and the life, cried out to God the Father in Heaven while on the cross: ‘I thirst’ (Matt. 18:1; John 14:6; 19:28). Do not lose heart, nor let your spirit falter as you endure difficult circumstances, slights, insults, and even death for the love of Christ. Pray for those who oppose you, just as the Lord interceded for those who crucified Him, saying, ‘Father, forgive them’ (Luke 23:34). Look to Jesus as the source and exemplar of steadfastness, who endured the shame of the cross for our sake. Likewise, if you suffer with Him, you will also be glorified with Him (see Rom. 8:17).