Psalm 31 (30):14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

I heard many chastising me for drifting through this life beside me, caught in the rhythm of time and unwilling to return with me to the everlasting realm. When they united against me, they schemed to seize my spirit. To ensure that my soul, which had swiftly eluded their hold after death, would consent to their plans, they crafted a way to prevent my very death.

He refers to malevolence as a plague, indicating that his adversaries encircled him, scheming against him. By granting me sustenance for my spirit, you will capture my being. When the soul is captivated, the heart is won; for through anger and desire, they bring death to the mind.

I have heard the multitude of voices from those around me; this is not mere speculation but rather the result of my own hearing the slanders. Through this, he also perceives the maligning words of Semei. When they united against me, they conspired to take my life. Yet I place my trust in You, O Lord; You are my God. My destiny rests in Your hands. They gather to scheme my demise; however, I recognize You as God and Sovereign. As the Prophet articulates, “Into Thy hand are my lots,” or as others interpret it, “Into Thy hand are my times.” This signifies that according to Your will, You grant both sorrow and joy, altering these experiences as it pleases You. The Prophet refers to the variations of life—wealth and poverty, servitude and authority, peace and conflict, and other similar circumstances.

I hear the scorn of many who live nearby, and it is evident that I must cry out for mercy, O Lord! For I have personally listened to the accusations made by all those in the vicinity. Among them was Semei, who insulted David during his flight, as recorded in 2 Samuel 16. When they assembled against me to seek my life, they conspired together, saying, "My enemies, all of them, plotted to take away my life," which refers to my physical existence, meaning they conspired to bring about my death. Here, David references the treacherous counsel of Ahithophel, wisdom and plots he received through the priests Zadok and Abiathar, as detailed in 2 Samuel 17.

In accordance with the Father's will, the arrangement of these words is both remarkable and sacred. When adversaries encircled the synagogue and relied on their own might, He declared His trust in the Lord, fully aware that their power was futile and that their schemes would ultimately lead to their own downfall. The Lord Christ proclaims, “Thou art my God,” uttering this from His accepted human nature, which, as previously mentioned, is under the dominion of time and mortality. He understands that His foes cannot bring an end to His life through their persecutions, for the determination of His existence lies solely within the Lord's authority. Our very being comes from His creative act, we are sustained by His provision, and we depart at His command. It is therefore only natural that He sustained unwavering faith in the Lord, recognizing that both His life and death are governed by divine sovereignty.

He recounts another trial that arose from the familiar persecution, specifically how he became contemptible to neighboring nations who learned of his shameful escape. His friends and acquaintances were filled with fear, concerned that associating with him could bring the wrath of Absalom upon them, possibly costing them their lives if this rebel were to achieve victory. I was scorned by all my adversaries and greatly looked down upon by my neighbors; those who knew me were filled with dread. The hostility of my foes turned me into a source of ridicule among my neighbors, inciting fear in my friends as well. Many who witnessed my flight abandoned me, fearing for their own safety should they support me.

The ungodly mock the crucified Christ, the Lord, proclaiming, "O you who destroy the temple" (Matt. 27:40). They express their disdain, asking, "He saves others; cannot He save Himself?" They dare to say, "Elijah said, 'Let us see if He will come to rescue Him,'" along with other taunts (Mark 15:31-36). Even after the crucifixion, the wicked persisted in their hostility, relentlessly attempting to obscure and defame the Resurrection of Christ.