Psalm 31 (30):19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When will these lips fall silent? Certainly not in this time. Each day, they raise a persistent outcry against believers, exhibiting a profound sense of humility; daily, they slander and mock. “Where is your God? What do you venerate? What do you behold? You have faith—and yet you toil. Your efforts are evident, but your hope remains uncertain.” Once our hope is made clear, the tongues of the deceivers will be silenced.

The prophet predicts the demise of Ahithophel, who, as a friend and advisor to David, unveiled his hidden insincerity and spoke against one who had wronged him not. His counsel can rightly be described as arrogance and dishonor, as he incited his son to rise up against his father and commit an act of murder.

He describes the words of Ahithophel as deceptive, concealing the longstanding betrayal he harbored against David, which remained undisclosed until that moment. Their hearts were struck with anguish, especially after he took his own life shortly thereafter. David asserts his innocence, as he had not wronged Absalom, Ahithophel, or any of their allies. He refers to the wickedness of the counsel that Ahithophel offered to Absalom, labeling it as sinful because it urged his son to murder his own father.

This passage reflects the prophetic insight regarding the treacherous advisors of Absalom, particularly Ahithophel, the primary counselor who conspired against David. Yet, his counsel was nullified by God, bringing about his disgrace. Ahithophel was unable to endure this shame and met a tragic end, descending into the abyss, where his voice was silenced forever, as noted in the second book of Kings. Ahithophel is rightly deemed wicked, for he led his own son to commit patricide. His words were also deceitful, as he feigned loyalty to David for a significant time, only to reveal his betrayal at the opportune moment.

The truth silences the deceitful words of the Jews: they sought to persuade the soldiers to accept the bribes given to them in order to defame the resurrection of Christ. However, Christ the Lord, as the omnipotent God, truly brought them back to life (Matt. Ch. 27).