Psalm 34 (33):16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

God is attentive, saying, “If He had heard me, He would have rescued me from my troubles. Yet I cry out, and my troubles persist. Still, remain steadfast in His path, and He will respond when you are in distress. He is the great physician, yet you may still feel like an unsightly sore. You call out for relief, but He precisely addresses what He deems necessary before withdrawing His hand. He resembles a surgeon who listens closely but does not immediately treat the wound or the sore. Consider mothers who bathe their children for their well-being—do the infants not weep in their arms? Are these mothers being unkind because they disregard their children’s tears? Or is it rather that their love for them is profound?

The saints are referred to as ‘the body of Christ, and each a part of it’ (1 Cor. 12:27), and God has designated them within the Church, assigning roles such as eyes, mouths, and hands or feet. Similarly, the holy spiritual beings in heaven are metaphorically called eyes, entrusted with the guardianship over us, while others are likened to ears, as they receive our supplications. Consequently, David described the Power that oversees us, and the Power that hears our prayers, as eyes and ears. ‘The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears to their prayer.’ Every action of the righteous merits God’s attention; likewise, their spoken words are far from trivial and possess great efficacy. Thus, the Psalm reassures us that the righteous are perpetually in God's sight and continually heard.

The Prophet declares that those who act in this manner are observed by the Lord God, and when they seek blessings, their requests are granted. He then affirms the opposite perspective to support his message.

The vision of the Lord, as articulated by the esteemed Basil, represents His ability to perceive all that exists. Similarly, the Lord's ears signify His capacity to listen to spoken words. This is reflected in David's declaration that God continually watches over the righteous and delights in their virtuous deeds; He listens to their prayers, deeming them deserving of His attention. In this context, the righteous are referred to as those who embody virtue.

The consequences for the unrighteous After discussing the compassion extended to the just, attention turns to the retribution awaiting the evildoers. It is essential to realize that God observes both groups, yet the outcomes diverge: He hears the cries of the righteous, but He annihilates the wicked. In saying, ‘From the earth,’ David clearly refers to a future homeland that will be granted only to those who are pleasing to God. The legacy of the wicked shall perish, as there will be no recognition of them among the righteous. Those who are forgotten by the Lord will undoubtedly face everlasting suffering.

The latter section of the second part captures the essence of the fear of God and its resultant actions. It outlines the characteristics of individuals who revere God. The holy Prophet elaborates on the outcomes of such a faithful life, remembering the assurances given for heeding the divine call. He illustrates how those who follow the path laid out before them experience the fulfillment of this promise, which includes abundant life and days of goodness—both of which reside in God’s hands. St. David portrays the closeness to God enjoyed by those who fear Him, although he does not delineate precisely how a life led in reverence yields these good days.

The aforementioned statements affirm that those who adhere to God's commandments and remain vigilant against transgressions experience life and favorable days, for the Lord consistently regards the just and hears their supplications. How could those who live under the watchful gaze of the Omniscient Protector not encounter good days? When they perceive impending harm and call upon God, they discover His ears attentive to their cries; and when they cannot foresee dangers, God safeguards them and rescues them from unforeseen evils. Indeed, the Lord’s eyes are fixed on the righteous, shielding them from threats that their own vision may fail to detect. Truly, how magnificent is God's goodness!

Just as a man delights in gazing at his cherished ones with unwavering attention, so too does God regard His beloved righteous followers with a compassionate gaze of mercy, constantly contemplating them to prevent them from stumbling along their path. Furthermore, God's ear is attentive to their supplications, as Scripture states: “before they call, I will answer” (Isa. 65:24).

The gaze of the Lord rests upon the righteous, and His ears are open to their supplications.