Psalm 20 (19):9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Consequently, they were ensnared by the desire for earthly pleasures, fearing to honor the Lord lest they jeopardize their status with the Romans: Jn 11:48. In their fierce struggle against the stone of temptation and the obstacle of unbelief, hope abandoned them: partially blinded were the people of Israel, who failed to grasp the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own. Yet we have been raised and remain steadfast. We, who welcome the Gentiles as they come forth from the stones designated for the children of Abraham (Matt. 3:9), which have not pursued righteousness, have attained it; (Rom. 9:30) and not through our own power, but by being justified through faith, we stand firm.

Just as God delivered the Israelites from the indulgent Egyptians, casting Pharaoh's chariots and strength into the depths of the sea, He also liberated all of humanity from the enslavement of sin, shattering the forces of oppression.

The Prophet states that those who relied on horses and chariots found no real help; when faced with an unseen challenge, they stumbled. In contrast, we, who invoke God to fight on our behalf, experience deliverance in a tangible manner. As our adversaries were gripped by fear and succumbed, it felt as though we had been overwhelmed by the might of those who opposed us.

The phrases mentioned in the preceding psalm were uttered by Hezekiah's companions during the period of mourning and conflict against Assyria; however, these were expressed following the destruction of a hundred and eighty-five thousand Assyrians by the angel of the Lord. Once the battle had concluded, all the Israelites celebrated and praised God; for their adversaries, the Assyrians, were vanquished by God’s might and experienced a tragic and fatal defeat. Yet, we who had once been brought low by fear were uplifted in spirit and raised our heads high.

The deceased and the risen Those who pursue the acclaim of others and are entangled in their misguided passions fall into the depths of death. We can express that a Christian experiences resurrection in two distinct ways: first, through the liberation from the death of sin in this life by divine grace, and second, by existing in the righteousness of God. Additionally, one may refer to a universal resurrection in which the righteous are granted everlasting reward. It is evident that these two are intertwined: thus, where He has elevated us, we remain in that exaltation, for in both forms of resurrection, the faithful emerge from their humbled state and are lifted to the glory of divine recompense.

In this context, the faithful illustrate how their adversaries were unexpectedly vanquished from on high, almost as if by divine intervention. The phrase, "They rose up and slept," unveils a profound contrast between the arrogance of the foes, who attempted to elevate themselves while waging war against Israel with the intent to annihilate it, and the suffering experienced by God's people. Just as rising is a characteristic of those who once lay down, so too is falling a fitting description for those who previously stood in pride. Consequently, the Prophet demonstrates that it is far more advantageous to place our trust solely in God rather than relying on our own capabilities.

Psalm 19 serves as a collective plea from the nation of Israel for their king, who is preparing to confront formidable foes in battle. It is unclear whether this psalm was composed for a specific event, such as prior to the Syro-Amonite conflict, or if it was designated for multiple occasions. What is certain is that it was meant to be sung at the tabernacle during sacrifices, with the king present as he sought divine assistance in times of hardship. The people aimed for the king's prayers and offerings to be accepted by God in his distress.

The demons allied themselves with the sinful Jews at the foot of the cross, becoming adversaries of Christ. The people turned away from their idolatrous ways and embraced righteousness through faith in Christ. We have been resurrected from sin, condemnation, and death, transforming ourselves into vessels of purity and becoming children of God.