Psalm 34 (33):8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is written, dear brethren, not as in certain flawed accounts: The Lord shall send His angel to surround those who revere Him and rescue them. Rather, it is stated: The angel of the Lord will encircle those who fear Him and deliver them. Who then is identified as the angel of the Lord who surrounds those who respect Him and provides salvation? Our Lord Jesus Christ is referred to in prophecy as the Angel of the great Counsel, the Proclaimer of the great Counsel; this is the title given to Him by the prophets. Therefore, even He, the Angel of the great Counsel, who serves as the Messenger, will attend to those who honor the Lord and grant them deliverance. Do not be afraid, for you will not be forgotten: wherever there is reverence for the Lord, that Angel recognizes you and will come to your aid and save you.

The Prophet described who he refers to as a beggar, which signifies one who holds the fear of the Lord. Thus, a person who fears the Lord remains akin to a servant, while the one perfected through love has already achieved the status of a son. A servant is also seen as a beggar since he possesses nothing of his own, in contrast to a son, who is enriched because he inherits his father’s estate. Therefore, "the angel of the Lord shall prevail in the neighborhood of them that fear him." This angel does not abandon all those who trust in the Lord unless driven away by our own sinful actions. Just as smoke disperses bees and foul odors repel doves, so too is the Guardian of our lives compelled to depart by the stench of various sins.

The Lord's angel encamps around those who revere Him and provides them with salvation. This aligns with the Apostle's testimony regarding angels, as he states: ‘are not all of them ministering spirits, sent forth in service for those who desire to inherit salvation’ (Hebrews 1:14)? Similarly, the blessed Jacob implores: ‘The angel who delivers me from all my evils’ (Genesis 48:16). Likewise, the patriarch Abraham declared to his esteemed servant: ‘The Lord God ... will send His angel’ (Genesis 48:16) to go before you, and you shall choose a wife for my son Isaac from there’ (Genesis 24:40). The blessed Zechariah also affirms: ‘An angel speaketh in me’ (Zechariah 2:3).

The profound mystery must be in harmony with a spirit of reverence, emphasizing how these words and my heartfelt cry from a distance, as noted in Psalms 37:13, are reflective of the angels. Angels watch over those who revere the Lord, as stated in Psalms 33:8. They safeguard individuals from trials that exceed their endurance. Why then do the heavenly beings appear distant? It is not that they remove themselves; rather, the one undergoing temptation perceives them as far away, desiring their closer presence. There is a perception that the angels are overlooking him, merely waiting for the appropriate moment to assist at the beckoning of their Master, who desires His soldier to endure longer for a more magnificent triumph.

The statements made by the Apostle reflect this understanding, as he mentions the angels: ‘are not all ministering spirits, sent into service for those who desire to inherit salvation’ (Hebrews 1:14)? Similarly, the revered James, in his prayers, expressed: ‘The angel who delivers me from all evils’ (Gen. 48:16). In addition, the patriarch Abraham addressed the remarkable servant: ‘The Lord God will send His angel before thy face, and thou shalt take a wife for my son Isaac from there’ (Genesis 24:7). Furthermore, the blessed Zechariah declares: ‘An angel speaketh in me’ (Zech. 1:9).

The messenger, as stated by the divine messenger, will surround those who revere the Lord like a vast army. Consider the power possessed by the guardian angel assigned to each Christian: one guardian is as formidable as a legion, as articulated by the esteemed Basil. Here, the term “fearful” refers to those who adhere to God’s commandments. For, as Gregory the Theologian explains, reverence for Him is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments. Basil notes that an angel will dwell alongside every believer in the Lord, unless we drive him away through wrongdoing. Just as a bee evades smoke and a dove flees foul odors, our life’s protector, the Angel, is distanced by various sins.

Prayer, Almsgiving, Fasting The Lord possesses greater strength in protecting His followers than the enemy does in rallying his forces. Despite the devil's relentless efforts to swell his ranks and stir up the rage, fervor, and stubbornness of his minions, the Redeemer effortlessly overcomes them, enveloping His faithful in care and assistance. It is fitting that the prophet declares: "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them." If the angel of the Lord rescues those who revere Him from peril, then it is futile to fear the ungodly, who themselves are terrified of the Redeemer; nor should those who adhere to Christ's teachings dread the assaults of adversaries.

In Your sacred scripture, it is revealed that Your holy angels, who stand in the presence of Your glory and behold Your most sacred countenance, safeguard those who revere and know You. They keep them, according to Your command, safe from malevolent spirits (see Ps. 33:8) and are dispatched to assist those destined to inherit salvation (Heb. 1:14). You do not abandon those whom You have cherished and redeemed by the precious blood of Your only Son. Through Your holy servants, You sustain them and guide them towards eternal peace. I, too, as Your humble and unworthy servant, receive this grace by Your mercy. I am deeply indebted to You, O Lord, for this gift.

The Holy Prophet encourages us to maintain hope through the eternal principle of God's watchfulness over us, underscored by the conditional prerequisites for placing our trust in Him. The enduring law of God's care is articulated in Psalm 33:8, which states, “The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear Him, and deliver them.” After recounting his own salvation from troubles, St. David points to the myriad instances where others, in times of need, have turned to God and received deliverance. He presents the timeless truth that those who recognize their complete reliance on God and honor Him with a reverent heart will find themselves under the protection of angels, who guard and rescue them from all forms of hardship.

O my brethren, let us not doubt these words, but let us carefully consider them every day, how the angel of God leaves us in our sorrow when we sin, yet joyfully and with unspeakable power hastens to our aid when we repent and ask God for help.

Demonstrating through both example and reasoning, it is evident that we must approach the Divine with complete confidence. This conviction stems from the fact that the Angel of the Lord, appointed by God to watch over the righteous, as stated in Psalm 90, swiftly comes to the aid of anyone in peril. Like a host of warriors, this angel envelops the person with divine protection, ensuring that they remain unharmed. The might of the angels is so immense that a single angel can stand against an entire army. Thus, it is clear that those who revere God and are shielded by such a guardian experience profound peace and assurance in their hearts.

For all who place their faith in Christ, starting from the holy baptism, God designates the Angel of the Lord to protect them from both visible and unseen adversaries, unless they are turned away by the foul acts of sin. Just as a bee is repelled by smoke, the Guardian Angel is repulsed by the odor of sin that burdens a person, and in deep sorrow and compassion, he retreats from them.