Psalm 34 (33):18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Temporal and eternal

Yet I cried out, and He did not rescue me! Perhaps I am unjust, or perhaps I fail to follow His commands, or maybe He simply does not see me. Do not be fearful, but obey what He instructs, for even if He has not saved you physically, He will provide spiritual deliverance.... He freed Peter while he was imprisoned, as an angel appeared to him and declared, "Arise quickly" (Acts 12:7) - and instantly, the chains fell away, allowing him to follow the angel, and thus God redeemed him. Furthermore, did Peter lose his righteousness when God did not rescue him while on the cross? Indeed, was he not liberated...? It is more accurate to state that God did not respond to him during his incarceration, but later, when He freed him from all earthly burdens. After all, upon his initial rescue, how much more suffering awaited him in the future! Then God brought him to a realm where no evil can thrive.

The appeal of the righteous is profound, resonating within the hidden chambers of the heart with a sound that draws the attention of God Himself. Those who seek after lofty and spiritual matters offer prayers that ascend and are acknowledged by the Divine. Thus, 'the righteous' petition for that which is significant, not trivial or worldly. As a result, the Lord listens to their cries and 'delivers them out of all their afflictions,' not merely freeing them from their troubles, but equipping them to rise above all challenges.

The Prophet declares that the Lord dwells among the righteous, graciously accepting their prayers, yet He is particularly attentive to those who possess humility in their hearts. He refers to them as the brokenhearted. Similarly, another psalm states, 'A broken and humble heart God will not despise' (Psalm 51:17).

He who, in the words of the esteemed Basil, anticipates not worldly and transient matters but rather the magnificent and eternal, may appear silent in speech; however, his mind and heart proclaim a fervent cry that resonates in the presence of God. Thus, his supplications are acknowledged by the Lord, granting him liberation from all despair. In what manner is he liberated from sorrow? At times, he experiences total release from it, while at other moments, amidst hardship, he triumphs over trials through unwavering endurance, as this embodies true freedom and rescue from affliction, as we have elaborated elsewhere.

The sacred Prophet demonstrates God's unique favor toward the righteous, highlighting His attentive nature and responsiveness to their prayers through the examples of ancient holy figures such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, and others. These individuals were repeatedly rescued from dire situations by God’s mighty hand. Indeed, the Lord’s gaze is fixed upon the righteous, and His ear is inclined to their supplications. For evidence of this, one can observe the events that unfolded. Consider Jacob's deep anxiety as he prepared to confront Esau. Yet, he cried out to the Lord, who rescued him from that perilous situation. Likewise, Moses faced a grave crisis before the Red Sea, but he cried out—and the Lord delivered him and his people from terrible calamity.

He demonstrates the truth of the aforementioned statement: the Lord's gaze rests upon the righteous, illustrated by the lives of our ancient patriarchs as recounted in the sacred texts, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, and others. It is possible that he foresaw and expressed in spirit the rescue of Daniel from the lions' den, the salvation of the three young men from the fiery furnace, Susanna's escape from the death sentence for false accusations, and countless others. The instances involving the Maccabees, who faced suffering and death without divine intervention, do not negate this scripture, nor do the narratives of the Apostles, Martyrs, and Christ Himself, who endured severe afflictions at the hands of their adversaries unjustly. For the Lord bestowed upon them something far greater than mere relief from earthly trials: He granted them the invaluable gift of perseverance, and for their steadfastness, they received the crown of everlasting glory.

The three young men invoked the Lord, and the flames of the furnace were transformed into coolness. Daniel called upon the Lord from the pit, and the lions' mouths were closed. David sought the Lord's aid and triumphed over Goliath. Judith prayed to the Lord, and she severed the head of Holofernes. Likewise, the holy martyrs raised their voices to the Lord, and their earthly afflictions were exchanged for the joy of everlasting life.