Psalm 35 (34):14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He now turns His gaze once more toward His Body; let us also reflect on this matter. When we find joy in prayer and our hearts are comforted not by earthly success but by the illumination of Truth—those who grasp this radiance understand my words, witnessing and acknowledging what is expressed, as close as our Sibling, and I have found favor with Him—our souls become pleasing to God. They are not distant, for in Him we live and move and exist, as it is said in Acts 17:28, but we approach Him as a Brother, as one who is near, as a Friend. If we cannot express joy in such a manner, shining brightly and drawing close, yet feel separated from Him, let us instead mourn and grieve, as I have humbly lowered myself.

In my role as a neighbor and a brother, I aimed to bring them joy. As a companion or a friend, I sought to aid them, longing to restore their well-being. Hence, I shed tears for them.

Indeed, as a brother, the Prophet declares, I extended every kindness, embodying in my humility the essence of one who mourns and laments, refraining from elevating my own accomplishments. This is evidenced by historical accounts. When Saul inquired, ‘Are you, son of David?’ he replied, ‘Your servant, my lord the king’ (1 Sam. 26:17). Furthermore, he questioned: why pursue, my lord the king, a dog that has perished, or a mere flea (1 Sam. 26:18; 1 Sam. 24:15)?

In demonstrating profound affection for Saul, David referred to him as both neighbour and brother. We honor our parents and leaders and express love for our peers, even in the absence of our own children. Thus, he claimed to have pleased Saul as a true neighbour and cherished him as a brother. This notion draws attention to Judas, the betrayer, whom the Lord loved deeply, grieving for him, as stated by Isychius. The Lord allowed Judas to handle the treasury and shared the same dish with him, embodying humility through his sorrow. Aware that Saul harbored jealousy due to the people's admiration for him, David intentionally presented himself in a state of grief and lamentation. This act of humility served to lessen the envy of those who envy; conversely, pride in one who is envied only exacerbates such envy.

This passage can be understood more clearly in its Hebrew formulation: As one bound by kinship, as a familial bond, I have cherished my neighbor; I have departed in sorrow, like a grieving mother. In essence, I have experienced both hardship and abundance, and throughout, I have not avenged any wrongdoing nor returned harm for harm. Rather, I responded to wrongs with kindness, treating each adversary as a fellow sibling, or more appropriately, as a mother would care for a frail child. Just as a mother, upon witnessing her sick child, bends down in sorrow to embrace him, so too did I approach my foes. Whenever they encountered trials or were afflicted with illness, I, moved by compassion, grieved for them and shed tears for their plight, much like a mother mourns for her ailing son.

The Saviour Christ regarded Judas not only as a friend and fellow apostle, but also demonstrated His humility by washing his feet. Yet, Christ the Lord shed tears at the grave of Lazarus (John 11:35) and wept for the city of Jerusalem when He beheld it (Luke 19:41).