To deliver their souls from death; and feed them in famine.
לְהַצִּ֣יל מִמָּ֣וֶת נַפְשָׁ֑ם וּ֝לְחַיּוֹתָ֗ם בָּרָעָֽב׃
9 Church Fathers comment on this verse
To rescue their spirits from demise and sustain them amidst deprivation (Psalm 32:19). To bestow upon them the sustenance of the Word and the Everlasting Truth that they have forfeited by depending on their own capabilities, rendering them devoid of any true strength due to their absence of righteousness.
The Lord’s attentive gaze rests upon those who revere Him. In another passage, it is stated that His gaze is directed towards the righteous (Psalm 33:16), yet here it emphasizes those who hold Him in awe. When we turn our focus to the Lord, aligning our sight with Him, we find ourselves echoing the sentiment, “Just as the eyes of a servant are on the hand of his masters, our eyes are set on the Lord our God” (Psalm 122:2). In this posture of devotion, we engage the Lord’s attention.
Those who place their confidence in His mercy exemplify a deep humility in service to the Lord. A humble servant does not rely on personal strength or expect to be deemed righteous through actions alone, finding instead the sole source of salvation in God's mercy. When contemplating the words, “Behold, the Lord and His reward” (cf. Isaiah 40:10), which promise recompense according to individual deeds, one might reflect on past transgressions and experience fear of punishment and dread of judgment. However, to avoid being overwhelmed by despair, one turns to God’s compassion and grace, establishing trust. The hope remains that God “will rescue his soul from death and deliver him to the end of the age.”
And when troubles abound, particularly during times of persecution when spiritual sustenance seems absent, the Lord will provide nourishment through the Holy Spirit.
The prophet states that all blessings come from a life of godliness: it draws the favor of the Lord, offers protection against impending death and want, and grants an abundance of grace. It is likely that during the siege under Hezekiah, the inhabitants of the city faced shortages of essential provisions; however, following the defeat of their adversaries, they were salvaged from their dire circumstances.
Rescue their lives from death - Here David articulates the fundamental reason why God regards those who revere Him, which is to save their very lives from the mortality that was daily anticipated from the Assyrians, as noted in the commentary on the phrase, "Evening shall bring forth weeping," found in Psalms 29:6. And I will sustain them in the plague This, He indicates, was the intention of the Lord concerning the followers of Hezekiah - that they would receive sustenance during the famine they endured due to the Assyrian siege, as recorded in the fourth book of Kings.
Believers with a deeply rooted faith possess two profound yearnings: to be saved from eternal damnation during the coming judgment, and to be sustained in this life with spiritual sustenance. He rescues the souls of the just from death by liberating them from the grip of the devil and gently freeing those ensnared by sin. Indeed, during times of scarcity, He will provide for them; in this world, where goodness is often lacking, He continues to nourish those whom He redeems.
The prophet concludes his message, which, as mentioned earlier, demonstrates the blessedness of the people whose God is the Lord. Although God observes all humanity and is aware of their limitations without His assistance, He particularly focuses on the righteous, granting them heavenly aid, rescuing them from the perils of death, and providing what is needed for a thriving life. Indeed, the eyes of the Lord are directed toward those who revere Him and rely on His mercy. Here, the terms referring to those who revere and rely on God signify the righteous and His friends. A fear devoid of trust is mere servile dread, while trust without fear easily becomes arrogance.
However, a fear intertwined with trust expresses genuine love, a liberating love in which we regard God as a friend, a father, and a bridegroom. The person who ardently loves in this manner is also deeply concerned about offending the beloved and has confidence that they will always enjoy their beloved’s favor. The Lord promises to safeguard their souls from death, providing for them abundantly. This is the reason He gazes compassionately upon those who revere and rely on Him—He seeks to elevate them by freeing them from the dread of death and supplying them with essential sustenance. The righteous are cautious not to offend God; thus, He grants them freedom from fear, so they may not be disheartened or overwhelmed, particularly concerning life, which is the essence of all goodness. Their trust in His mercy ensures that He continually showers them with grace, sustaining them even amid scarcity. These acts of mercy can be understood in both physical and temporal terms, as well as spiritual and eternal. The Lord rescues the souls of those who fear Him when, through His special Providence, He protects their lives from diverse threats of death, dangers from which they could not have escaped unaided. Once liberated from death, He sustains their lives, providing all essentials, especially during famine when many suffer lack. Spiritually, He rescues them from death by preventing them from succumbing to sin, which is the death of the soul; or, if they do falter, He promptly draws them back to repentance and grace, which revitalizes the soul and preserves them from eternal death. Furthermore, He nourishes those who reside in Him through the Holy Spirit dwelling within them during times of want, sending down manna from heaven in this wilderness as they journey toward the promised land, and empowering them with life-giving water flowing from the spiritual rock, thus refreshing and fortifying them with divine consolation.
This psalm, devoid of an inscription in the Hebrew text, is considered to be associated with Psalm 31. It serves as an Old Testament reflection on the Lord’s reassurance to His followers, encapsulated in the message: do not be afraid, little flock (Lk.12:32). The context of its creation likely stemmed from a miraculous triumph achieved by a small group of God’s people over powerful nations. Acknowledging this divine assistance, the psalmist invites the faithful of Israel—those who are righteous and upright—to sing joyfully with triumphant praises (1Ezdr.3:11) and to create a celebratory new song (vv.1-3).
In the victory bestowed upon them, the Lord has magnificently demonstrated His commitment to the truth (v.4, honoring His promises), His mercy towards Israel, and His justice against the nations (v.5). He is the Almighty God, as evidenced by the creation (vv.6,7,9). The stars and heavenly bodies are under His command; He calms the waves of the sea just as a man might control fabric; the seas act as storages for the abyss. Thus, all nations should revere Him (v.8), especially those nations that harbor hostile intentions toward Israel, which the Almighty will ultimately thwart (v.10). He will nullify the strategies of rulers—not just the Jewish ones—while His benevolent plans for Israel remain forever steadfast (v.11). Is it not a joy for those whom the Almighty has designated as His cherished inheritance, safeguarding them with His powerful hand (v.12)? The Protector of Israel is not only all-powerful but also all-knowing (vv.13-14). From a well-prepared dwelling—each aspect arranged meticulously—He sees each individual and their actions. As the Creator of human hearts, He understands all thoughts and deeds (v.15), empowering Him to render threats ineffective against His people, ensuring that no force can prevail against Israel (vv.16-17). The Lord’s all-seeing eyes rest upon His people (v.18), shielding them from harm (v.19). Therefore, Israel can trust in the Lord quietly and confidently in all circumstances, convinced of His unwavering help, and rejoicing in it; may His mercy align with Israel’s hope in equal measure!
Christ the Lord nourishes those who yearn for righteousness with the true sustenance of His Holy Body and Blood, which rescues us from everlasting death.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS