Psalm 3:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It would be challenging to assert that prayer is absent when this inner voice does not produce audible words from the body; for even when we pray quietly in our hearts, if distracting thoughts invade the mind of the supplicant, one cannot rightly claim, "With my voice have I cried unto the Lord." This assertion holds true only when the soul, disengaging from bodily concerns and earthly desires, genuinely communicates with God in prayer, where only He can listen. Yet, this is also regarded as a cry based on the vigor of its intent. And He heard me from His holy mountain. The Lord Himself is referred to as a mountain by the prophet, as written, "A stone hewn without hands grew to the size of a mountain" (Dan. 2:34-35). However, this should not be interpreted as separate from His Being; rather, it reflects His presence within me, as He listened from His holy mountain, which resides in my very being. This understanding becomes clearer and more comprehensible when we recognize that God, in His righteousness, listened. It was fitting for Him to resurrect the Innocent One, who was wrongfully slain, as He had received evil in exchange for good, thus providing the persecutor with the just recompense for responding with malevolence. For we read, "Thy justice is as the mountains of God."

Alternatively, ‘from the holy mountain’ can be interpreted as transcending to heaven, echoing concepts like ‘into Thy holy mountain’ (Ps. 14:1) and ‘draw nigh unto the everlasting mountains’ (Micah 2:9). The holy mountain of God represents the spiritual realm where the only begotten Son of God heeds those who call on Him, and of which it is prophesied, ‘The mountain of the Lord shall be revealed in the last days’ (Isaiah 2:2); this alludes to the Lord's manifestation at the end of time. Thus, ‘from the holy mountain’ signifies heaven itself. The holy mountain of God can also embody divine understanding. A diapsalm may denote either a shift in musical rhythm or a transition in thought and expression.

I cry," he indicates deep sighs and the earnest cries of the heart. It is customary for feelings within the heart to manifest in words. It is important to recognize that it is not the spoken voice that ascends to heaven, but the cry of the heart. This is why St. Augustine notes: "He did not call with a spoken voice, but with the voice of the heart, which may be silent to men but cries out to God, reaching the heavens." With this inner voice, the Lord commands us to pray, urging us to pray from the depths of our hearts. One might argue that a silent heart prayer does not lack fervor simply because it lacks outward sound; it has been shown that even those who pray silently call out to God. The deep yearning of the heart for God is a proclamation and a call to Him. Athanasius the Great expresses a similar idea: "By voice, we should understand the mental petitions directed to God. He references the prayer of the mind rather than verbal exclamations." Moreover, as the blessed Theodoret remarks, "God asked Moses, 'Why do you cry out to Me?' indicating that silent prayer is indeed a cry due to diligent mental supplication." The term "holy mountain," from which the King was heard, refers to Zion, the location of the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant, where God delivered His responses. Mount Zion is frequently highlighted in the Psalms as the mountain of God, specifically because it housed the tabernacle where God's presence was particularly felt. For carnal Israel, or humanity generally, there needed to be tangible assurance of God's proximity in their midst, and God set it up this way. However, in this context, the expression takes on a deeper significance. St. David returned the ark to Jerusalem, thus separating him from the place where God dispensed answers. Here, heaven itself is implied, as the Apostle Paul refers to Zion as the mountain (Heb. 12:22). The prophet himself acknowledges that when he prays, his gaze extends to Him who lives in heaven, and when God hears his plea, He responds from His holy abode (Ps. 4:4). "From the mountain" means from heaven, where God hears the prayers of those who seek Him (Athan. Vel.). Additionally, 'hearing' should not be interpreted merely as an audible response but as an inner assurance from above that help and intercession are forthcoming. As he directed his supplications to the immaterial throne of God, unhindered access allowed for this assurance to arrive instantly. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him (Psalm 144:18). Now, as always, God listens to all who approach Him with a contrite heart and sincere trust. Persist in prayer without ceasing. Do not cease until you feel reassured that your prayers are heard. If God appears not to hear us, it may be due to insufficient diligence in our prayers or a lack of patience, leading us to give up too soon. The fervency of prayer can affect the duration needed for a response; sometimes a prolonged period of prayer compensates for less fervent requests. When both elements are present, nothing is beyond reach, as stated by our Lord: "All things whatsoever ye shall ask in my name shall be done unto you" (John 16:23).

The expression ‘From His holy mountain’ can refer to the physical mount Zion, the site of the Ark of the Covenant where the Lord's presence was particularly manifested, providing guidance and responses, or it may allude to heaven itself, which the Apostle Paul refers to as the mount of Zion and the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22).