Psalm 34 (33):7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Don’t you perceive the reason you go unheard? It is because you are too self-sufficient... Cry out to God in your need, call upon Him as though you were in want, and the Lord will answer you. ‘But how can I cry out as one in need?’. Call upon Him in such a manner that, even if you possess material things, your reliance is still on Him; cry out to Him with an awareness of your true neediness, knowing that you will always remain dependent until you come to possess the One who can enrich you. In what manner did the Lord respond to him? It is recorded: and from all his troubles He delivered him.

Consequently, every virtue, especially that of poverty, is defined by free will. Hence, this "poor man," as the Prophet expresses, calls out. With a purposeful voice, he directs your thoughts toward the one who is spiritually impoverished, who experiences hunger, thirst, and nakedness in a divine sense. This "poor man" can be understood to signify a disciple of Christ. These words can also unmistakably apply to Christ Himself; although He is inherently "rich" (as everything the Father possesses also belongs to Him), He chose to "become poor for our sakes, that we through His poverty might be rich" (cf. 2 Cor. 8:9). The Lord consistently exemplified the path to blessedness by demonstrating it before His followers. Reflect on the beatitudes, and you will observe that He initiated the teaching with actions. "Blessed are the meek." From whom do we learn meekness? "Learn from Me," the Lord says, "for I am meek and lowly in heart" (Matt. 11:29). "Blessed are the peacemakers." Who instills in us the true essence of peace? The Peacemaker Himself, who "creates peace" and unifies "both into one new man" (cf. Eph. 2:15), who "reconciled all things by the blood of His Cross," whether they be earthly or celestial (cf. Col. 1:20). "Blessed are the poor." He became poor and "humbled Himself to the likeness of a servant, so that we may receive grace upon grace from His fullness" (cf. Phil. 2:7; Jn. 1:16). Therefore, if anyone, guided by the Holy Spirit who loves humanity, dismisses self-importance to uplift others and cries out from the spirit, yearning for something great without speaking of unworthy and trivial matters focused on earthly desires, then the Lord will surely hear this supplicant's cry. And what does it mean to be heard? It signifies liberation "from all tribulation," emerging unscathed, unburdened, and free from the entanglements of worldly wisdom. How, then, is the beggar set free?

He positions himself as a beggar, entirely devoid of support, including food and shelter, stating: I cried out to God with trust and expectation, and as soon as I knocked at the door of His mercy with fervent prayer, He answered my pleas and alleviated all my grief. This notion of being a beggar can be applied to anyone in desperate situations, reminding us of the diverse accounts of rescue from hardships, demonstrating the lovingkindness of God throughout history. It invites the afflicted to reflect: Look, this one cried out and was answered; and so did others, many in distress, who appealed to the Lord and were heard. Therefore, do not lose heart; cry out, and you too will be heard. This offers guidance on rekindling our hope in God’s mercy and assistance, which troubles may cause us to forget. By recalling the instances of those who have been saved from adversity, we can regain hope.

Consider Jacob, who faced Esau, calling on God, and the Almighty changed Esau's heart. Recall how Moses and the Israelites found themselves trapped by Pharaoh's army at the Red Sea. Yet, Moses cried out to God, and He saved them in a remarkable way. Time and again, when the Israelites were oppressed by neighboring nations, they sought God’s aid, and He granted them relief, triumphing over their foes in ways beyond human means. These and similar experiences of divine salvation were front of mind for St. David and nurtured his trust. How many such moments did David witness, both in his own life and within his people? How many were later revealed among the followers of God? How many still manifest in the Christian realms across East and West, including in God-guarded Russia? Those who pay attention cannot help but recognize such occurrences in their own lives and among those who are both aware of and unaware of God’s faithful presence. It is reassuring to recall these experiences, and delightful to engage with someone who recalls multiple instances of God’s swift assistance in times of distress. This, indeed, forms the essence of true trust.

Nonetheless, the holy Prophet, by recalling his own deliverance as a beggar, seeks to stir hope while indicating what kind of poverty moves God’s mercy. Basil the Great noted that not all poverty is commendable; it is only praiseworthy when willingly accepted. Many may be economically impoverished yet harbor greed by choice, a state that does not lead to salvation and can lead to condemnation. Hence, it is not the state of being poor that brings blessing but the one who has relinquished all possessions in their heart, choosing Christ’s command over worldly riches. The Lord Himself declares, "Blessed are the poor in spirit" (Matthew 5:3), referring to those who willingly embrace a humble spirit. True surrender must be borne of the will to be blessed. Such a beggar who reaches out in spirit is likely to be heard and freed from suffering.

The Holy Prophet also emphasizes the attitude of humility and self-abasement necessary for effective prayer. Basil the Great stated that if anyone, motivated by a spirit of holiness and love, humbles themselves to uplift others, calling out for something great without speaking unworthy or trivial desires, their supplications will be acknowledged by the Lord. Blessed Augustine remarked that St. David teaches how to be heard: if you cry out and are not answered, it may be due to presenting yourself as self-sufficient before God. Cry out as a beggar, and the Lord shall respond. What does it mean to cry out as a beggar? It involves recognizing your lack, even if you possess something, and maintaining that humble mindset until you receive the blessings from the One who enriches all who call upon Him. In this way, the spiritually humble beggar is most likely to be heard, in accordance with the divine promise that favors the meek and lowly.