Psalm 27 (26):2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

As those who are guilty approach to both recognize and deride me, their intent is to elevate themselves over me as I strive for transformation; their aim is not to consume me, but rather to feast upon my earthly desires with their wickedness. The adversaries who disturb me do more than merely accuse me of having good intentions, attempting to dissuade me from my resolve; they are truly my foes. They have become weakened and have fallen from grace. While they may act in defense of their beliefs, their ability to perceive the truth has diminished, and they have started to reject the message of salvation, which I uphold, even though it displease them.

As the wrongdoers approached me, they intended harm, yet they experienced the very destruction they wished to inflict.

David expressed his lack of fear in the face of his adversaries, knowing they could only consume his flesh, but not his spirit, as it is written: "When the evildoers came near me to eat my flesh, my insulters and my enemies, they themselves became weary and fell." Thus, the serpent ultimately prepares his own downfall. In this way, the serpent deceives the very one he has caused to stumble, leading to the restoration of the fallen one. This restoration of humanity signifies the serpent's ultimate defeat.

I was not misled, he states, in my expectation, having placed my confidence in your support. For even when those chasing me saw me in the form of creatures, intending to devour me, they did not prevail, but instead faced their own ultimate ruin. Historical accounts reveal that this has occurred repeatedly. For on one or two occasions, the one ensnared by Saul managed to elude the trap, or more accurately, could have eliminated the oppressor himself had he chosen to do so. However, he demonstrated wisdom, and the enemy from beyond was held accountable for his deceit. Thus, what is expressed in the Psalm serves as a foreshadowing of what is to come.

In this passage, David describes in a remarkable manner the blessings and grace he experienced from the Lord. He states that when his enemies approached with the intention of completely destroying him—an indication of their profound wickedness and malice—at that moment, they grew weak and were unable to inflict any harm upon him. Instead, they collapsed, thwarted in their malicious intent.

He articulates the might and action of God's protection, reflecting on previous triumphs over adversaries, which fills him with hope for what lies ahead. It is as if he communicates: through God's safeguarding, when those who maliciously attacked me, akin to ravenous dogs or lions, approached to lacerate and consume me, these very foes were swiftly overcome, collapsing in exhaustion at my feet. Thus, their attempts did not harm me but led to their own downfall. This reality is evidenced not only by the examples of David but also by Christ, the martyrs, and all the saints.

This psalm is likely penned during the era of Saul's persecution. It consists of two main sections; in the first (vv. 1-6), the psalmist soars to heaven on the wings of faith, gazing down upon the earth, viewing challenges and adversities with derision. The current trials imposed by deceitful foes (v. 12) seem to him as dense darkness; however, the Lord stands as his light and lamp (Micah 7:8), providing assistance (Savior) and shielding him (Protector). Consequently, the psalmist will not succumb to fear, even if greater threats arise (vv. 2-3). The phrase "Before anointing" does not appear in the Hebrew text. Didymus and Theodoret confirm that this heading was absent from Origen's Exaplae.

The wicked among the Jews assailed Christ our Lord during His holy Passion, attempting to consume the living, much like the adversaries of Christ will confront the faithful. However, one should not fear those who can only take the body, for they cannot harm the soul; rather, you should revere Him who has the power to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna (Matthew 10:28). Those who have offended Christ the Lord, the adversaries of the Jews, weary in their malice, have fallen. And many demons tremble, albeit they believe.