The Church Fathers on this verse
THEOSIS
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Psalm 28 (27):1Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

A psalm for David himself. Unto thee will I cry, O Lord: O my God, be not thou silent to me: lest if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.

Douay-Rheims · Hebrew numbering, Septuagint numbering in brackets.

לְדָוִ֡ד אֵ֘לֶ֤יךָ יְהוָ֨ה ׀ אֶקְרָ֗א צוּרִי֮ אַֽל־תֶּחֱרַ֢שׁ מִ֫מֶּ֥נִּי פֶּן־תֶּֽחֱשֶׁ֥ה מִמֶּ֑נִּי וְ֝נִמְשַׁ֗לְתִּי עִם־י֥וֹרְדֵי בֽוֹר׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

10 Church Fathers comment on this verse · 12 commentaries

Augustine of Hippo

5th centuryChurch Father

Transformed individual Due to the everlasting nature of Your Word, which continually binds itself to me, I have become distinct from those who enter into the profound sorrow of this time, where it seems as though You are silent and Your Word is unacknowledged.

The voice of the Intercessor resounds here, coming directly from the Intercessor himself, amidst the trials of suffering.

This is the utterance of the Mediator Himself, resolute amidst the trials of His Passion. He appears to harbor no ill will toward His adversaries, but instead seeks to declare their forthcoming judgment; as illustrated in the Gospel, where the cities that witnessed His miracles yet failed to believe in Him are warned, He does not express a desire for their harm, but rather predicts what will befall them. To You, O Lord, I have called; O my God, do not remain silent towards me. To You, O Lord, I have cried; O my God, do not sever the oneness of Your Word from my humanity. You will never remain silent towards me, lest I become like those who descend into the pit. The ongoing union of the Eternity of Your Word with me affirms that I am not just an ordinary man, born into the extreme poverty of this world, where, as if You were silent, Your Word goes unacknowledged.

Athanasius the Great

4th centuryChurch Father

A psalm attributed to David. In this composition, David expresses the sentiments of those who have placed their faith in Christ, seeking God's assistance in their prayers. The psalm includes a condemnation of the foolishness of the Jewish people and a plea to be distanced from their wrongdoing. To You, O Lord, I shall cry out; do not remain silent towards me, or I will become like those who descend into the pit. Sacred Scripture often describes hell as a chasm.

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

This psalm was uttered by David during his trials at the hands of Saul, while those he considered allies conspired against him, accusing him and seeking to expose him to Saul. Among these were Doeg and the Ziphites, along with many others. Yet, this psalm, along with those preceding it, is suitable for anyone experiencing such affliction. For anyone who desires it, like the blessed David, it is possible to exhibit patience, call upon God, and receive His guiding grace. When the Prophet states, "I will cry out," he refers not merely to a vocal expression but to earnest, fervent prayer. The phrase, "You will not be silent from me," is analogous to those who are questioned but choose to withhold a response. Thus, the Prophet conveys that if You withdraw Your presence from me and deny me Your assistance, I will swiftly face destruction. He refers to it as a pit because a grave resembles a pit that is dug.

Euthymios Zigabenos

11th centuryCommentator

This psalm, attributed to David, was composed during his struggles against Saul, but it resonates with anyone who faces hardships. It is noted by Cyril that this psalm is sung in intercession for those who have faith in Christ, appealing for His assistance. Athanasius echoes this sentiment. The psalmist declares "To Thee, O Lord, I will cry out," indicating a fervent plea directed solely to God, as he feels abandoned by all the mighty. This act of crying out reflects the immense effort and strength found in prayer.

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Saint Basil emphasizes the importance of the phrase "I will cry out," explaining that when individuals seek material needs, they may speak softly, but when they yearn for spiritual matters, their pleas are fervent and loud. The scriptures illustrate this urgency among the saints in their cries to the Lord. Theodoret interprets the phrase “I will cry” not merely as a vocal expression but as a commitment to diligent and fervent prayer.

The psalmist implores his God, saying, "Do not let me be silent," asking that his cries not go unheard. The term "be silent" is seen figuratively, as those indifferent to pleas often choose silence, offering no response to those in need. The psalmist pleads with the Lord not to disregard his cries, for he is in desperate need of divine assistance. He compares his situation to those who descend into a pit, expressing that if God does not listen or provide aid, he may as well be counted among the dead. The pit, in this context, symbolizes a grave or an abyss where hope and rescue are unattainable.

Arnobius the Younger

5th centuryChurch Father

The Inner Being We affirm that God the Son embodies both absolute divinity and genuine humanity, and we encounter Him speaking to His inner being in this psalm, stating, ‘Let Him who committed no sin be not drawn with sinners.’

Eusebius of Caesarea

4th centuryTeacher of the Church

The Prayer of Christ This psalm additionally pertains to Christ, encompassing the supplication that He voiced while enduring His afflictions.

Irenaeus (Klementjewsky)

18th centuryCommentator

A Psalm of David. This psalm mirrors the previous one and first expresses a plea for swift rescue from the harm inflicted by the wicked (vv. 1-3). Secondly, it illustrates the displeasure of God with the unrighteous and the corrupt, particularly those who scorn His commandments and faith (vv. 4 and 5). In the concluding section, David offers gratitude to God, extolling His glory for graciously hearing prayers and granting powerful deliverance from adversities, alongside a heartfelt request for the well-being of the Church, encompassing her salvation, blessings, governance, and elevation.

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In the beginning, David calls out to the Lord, fervently expressing his desire that God remain attentive to him; he fears being abandoned, likening himself to those who descend into the depths. The psalmist’s address to God serves as an affirmation of his faith and a clear conscience. Although many face numerous trials, few seek refuge in God; many either rebel like obstinate steeds, voice futile cries that drift unanswered, or succumb to despair under the weight of their troubles. Lacking a clear conscience, they remain oblivious to the transformative power of God's grace and consequently do not turn to it. David, referring to God as his stronghold, insists that he was assured of divine assistance in times of tranquility and retains that same faith even amidst dire straits. He articulates the severity of his plight, likening himself to those who are lifeless or those descending into the grave—not merely to emphasize the intensity of his peril, but to demonstrate his unwavering reliance on God alone for salvation. He conveys that without God's presence, he feels hopeless and lost. The phrase, “Let not Thou be silent from me,” reflects a plea drawn from the experience of humans who, when they earnestly seek assistance, may find silence in return, leading them to feel disregarded. In essence, he implores, “Do not disregard but listen to my supplication; if You remain silent and do not respond, I face death.”

Ireneus (Orda)

19th centuryCommentator

This psalm likely reflects David's experiences during the time of Absalom's rebellion. As he is compelled to flee from Jerusalem, the king fervently implores the Lord to intervene on his behalf against the deceitful Absalom and his supporters, seeking a clear response rather than silence, so that he might be safeguarded from the peril of death, with his soul—Hebrew nepesh—representing his deepest passions. He expresses frustration with those who have spoken falsehoods for their own benefit. The Hebrew conveys: ‘lest I should doubt that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!’ (v.1).

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Filled with hope, the psalmist, while in flight, reaches towards Jerusalem, the dwelling place of the Lord, praying for divine attention (v.2) and asking for protection from adversaries who have plotted harm (v.3), desiring neither destruction nor shameful death. He requests that the Lord respond to his enemies in accordance with their actions (v.4). The mention of a pit can symbolize both a grave (Isaiah 11:19) and Sheol (as seen in Psalm 29 and others). The reference to the holy temple signifies the sacredness of the holiest place, which the adversaries have disregarded by failing to recognize God's magnificent works, where He has continually revealed His holiness and righteousness, prompting them to pursue righteousness (v.5). The psalmist seeks retribution for the wrongs he has suffered in equal measure. As he prays, confidence swells within him, leading him to believe his pleas have been acknowledged, and he exalts the Lord for being the protector of the afflicted people and the king amidst the turmoil (v.6,7; v.8). His prayer includes the desire for his enemies to face obliteration, wishing that their lineage—or house—be completely erased. However, recognizing that the fulfillment of his prayer is not yet realized, he reiterates his plea in v.9.

Psalter with Commentaries (Cave Monastery in Kiew)

19th centuryCommentator

A Psalm inspired by the Holy Spirit for David, in which he brings his plea before God amidst the anguish he experienced during Saul's persecution, when all of Israel turned away from him. This reflects the prayer of Christ our Lord to God the Father during His holy Passion, when those who had once followed Him abandoned Him. The voice of Christ’s supplication to God the Father is evident when, on the cross, He called out in a loud voice: ‘My God, My God’ (Matt. 27:46). In times of trouble and sorrow, every person's prayer can carry a weight of sin, and one should be cautious not to be led astray into the depths of despair.

Vissarion (Nechaev)

19th centuryCommentator

On Sunday afternoon, a service is held in honor of our Risen Lord. The prokeimena vary in melody and reflect the profound event of Christ's Resurrection to different extents. Vowel 6. Verse: To Thee, O Lord, I will cry, O my God, that Thou wilt not be silent for me. ‘Do not remain silent, but answer my cry of desperation, so that I may not (as the psalm continues) be counted among those who descend into the pit.’ In a similar way, Christ the Savior implored God the Father, pleading that His soul not be abandoned in Hades, in the domain of death, alongside all humanity.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.