Psalm 34 (33):20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Although the godly may undergo the same afflictions as the wicked, they are not deemed equal. For the righteous, such trials are seen as sorrow and testing, while for the wicked, they are mere chastisements. Acknowledging this truth, the blessed David observes, 'Many are the tribulations of the righteous.' However, he adds the promise, 'and from them all the Lord shall deliver them.' This verse does not merely speak of hardship but signifies healing. In contrast, he proclaims, 'many are the sorrows of the wicked' (Psalms 31:10), devoid of accompanying hope. Thus, while the righteous may endure many afflictions, the Lord assures their deliverance from all.

Let no one, upon hearing this, succumb to despair or say, "If I face the same sufferings as a sinner, my chastisement bears no purpose." The Scriptures refer to a sinner not as one entirely lacking in righteousness, but as someone afflicted within the realm of humanity. God shows mercy to sinners, and the Scriptures are rich with affirmations of His kindness. It is stated, 'I live, saith the Lord,' indicating His desire not for the death of the wicked, but for their repentance and life (Ezekiel 18:3, 23). God swears not from a lack of trust in Himself, but to guide our disbelief toward faith. Therefore, let every individual, when facing trials, affirm, 'You are righteous, O Lord, and Your judgments are right.' This declaration shows the character of a noble spirit, preserving their faith in God.

Consider the example of blessed Job, who endured immense suffering, withstood diabolical intimidation, quelled evil madness, and overcame destructive challenges through steadfastness. He lost everything yet remained unwavering in his devotion to the Lord. His story deserves dedicated exploration, as his deeds warrant thorough reflection; however, let us remember the profound words of this wise man and ascetic. Even stripped of all, he did not forsake his piety but declared, 'The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord' (Job 1:21). His insight reflects a noble disposition—accepting God’s will without futile inquiries into divine governance. We may ponder why the young perish while the old endure, questioning the nature of divine administration. An elderly person, longing for death and relief from earthly struggles, may find that desire unfulfilled while a loved youth is taken away. Instead of probing such mysteries, we should acknowledge that 'Your judgments are a great abyss' (Psalms 35:7) and embrace the truth that 'You are just, O Lord, and Your judgments are just' (Psalms 118:137). Accepting 'as it pleased the Lord, so it was' brings understanding to the dignity of God and fosters true godliness.

This psalm mentions four times how the Lord brings relief from suffering, if He chooses to intervene. The first instance states, (Psalms 33:5) ‘I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.’ The second instance affirms, (Psalm 33:7) ‘this afflicted man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him from all his troubles.’ The third proclamation reads, (Psalm 33:18) ‘the righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them.’ Finally, in the fourth, it declares, ‘many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all.’

Job, for instance, was tested before the Lord (see Job 1:8; Job 2:3), and although he demonstrated his integrity, he ultimately did not triumph; his commitment to the Lord was put to the test, yet he was not rewarded for his virtue, leading him to be tempted (see Job 1:12; Job 2:6) in order to be deemed worthy of even greater honor.

He did not claim otherwise, but declared plainly that numerous tribulations await the righteous; yet He supplemented this with the comforting assurance that ‘the Lord will deliver me from them all.’ How will He deliver them? In such a manner that in every trial, regardless of the magnitude, He will preserve them intact, not permitting them to falter under the weight, granting strength to endure and conquer; the righteous shall navigate through these tribulations triumphantly and emerge victorious. The righteous, uplifted by His goodwill, safeguarded by His protection, and empowered by His strength, are guided by the Lord to battle against the foes of those who reject the truth, both seen and unseen. The righteous remains firm in their integrity amidst all assaults, resembling a rock amidst the turbulent sea, battered by waves. It is not the rock that breaks, but the waves that crash against it are shattered and retreat. So it is with the righteous in their struggle: it is not they who crumble, but all opposing forces are vanquished by their steadfast righteousness. This is the liberation promised to the righteous. Thus, the Lord forewarned the Apostles that they would experience sorrow in the world; yet to console them, He quickly added: ‘But take heart, for I have overcome the world’ (cf. John 16:33). Fear not! These worldly tribulations will have no lasting effect on you. I have triumphed over the world; through My conquering power, you too shall overcome the world, despite all its assaults against you. Although the holy Apostles experienced grief, they acknowledged that despite their sorrow, they ‘do not fear it’ (cf. 2 Cor. 4:8), and encouraged others, declaring: ‘Faithful is God, who will not permit you to be tempted beyond your ability, but will with the temptation provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it’ (cf. 1 Cor. 10:13). In response, the blessed Theodoret expresses: ‘even though God permits the righteous to endure struggles, He Himself supports them, revealing to them the means to overcome the challenges they face, fortifying and stabilizing their thoughts. For when you observe the righteous afflicted with illness, suffering wounds, rejected by their own, in disgrace, in abject poverty, remember that this is the result of the wise design of God. Those who claim tribulation is unworthy of a righteous man speak the same as one who contends that a wrestler ought not to engage in the contest. Yet a wrestler who refrains from the bout, what justification would he have for receiving a crown?’ (Basil the Great). The deliverance of the righteous from tribulations, like the salvation of the humble in spirit from the previous verse, centers on their stability, maintaining their righteous life under the weight of trials, in loyalty to the Lord’s commandments and the doctrines of faith. Whether their sufferings will conclude in this life or persist until death is of no crucial importance to the Lord or to the mind of the righteous. It may occur that they cease according to natural course or through a special act of divine providence. However, even if this is not the case, God's deliverance and salvation continually surround the righteous; and from the depths of tribulation, through the shadow of death, He leads them into freedom and transitions them into a life filled with joy, where true meaning and form are fulfilled. ‘The unrighteous, Blessed Augustine remarks, experience less suffering, while the righteous endure more. But those who suffer little or nothing will enter eternal torment, from which they will never escape; whereas the righteous, after enduring great tribulation, will attain eternal rest, where no evil will ever touch them again.’

Thus, we understand that while God does not assure His faithful ones in this life complete liberation from poverty, illness, mistreatment, persecution, and slander, He does promise them spiritual solace both in this world and in the life to come. The Hebrew text expresses this as "many are the afflictions of the righteous," and states that "the Lord will deliver him from them all." Nonetheless, this reflects a unified message: the Prophet's declaration of deliverance extends not just to individual righteous persons but encompasses all who seek refuge in Him.